Aliens, the moon landing, and beliefs in Spain: What do Spaniards think?
30% of Spaniards believe aliens have landed on Earth, and 14% think the Moon landing was faked.
Credit: US Government footage of Unidentified Flying Object – US Navy.
A recent study by the BBVA Foundation has shed light on the diverse beliefs held by Spaniards. 44 % believe NASA is lying to us about aliens and the Moon landing, while 14% believe in real-life witches! Read on to find out more.
Look around next time you’re on the bus or waiting at the dentist. See ten people? Well, three of them are certain aliens have already landed on Earth, and almost one and half believe the Moon landing was a hoax.
30% believe aliens have visited Earth
According to the study, 30% of Spaniards believe that aliens have already made contact with our planet. Similarly, 30% believe in astrology – the belief that planetary movements influence our lives. Other beliefs include a 14% share of the population who think real-life witches exist, and 24% who feel they can communicate with spirits. Additionally, 5% still associate the number 13 with bad luck.
Science and religion in Spain
Despite some of the alternative beliefs, eight out of ten Spaniards regard experts and scientists as the most reliable sources of information. Two-thirds believe that science can explain most things and that future discoveries will provide further understanding of what remains unknown.
The study also found that older individuals, those with strong religious convictions, and some political groups tend to be more sceptical of mainstream scientific conclusions.
The study also examined how religious beliefs interact with scientific perspectives. While nearly half of Spaniards believe in some form of God, only 38% adhere to the concept of sin, and about one-third believe in an afterlife, miracles, or sacred texts. Around 20% hold beliefs in reincarnation, the existence of a devil, or hell.
Climate change and environmental concerns
When it comes to climate change, 67% of Spaniards acknowledge human activity as the primary cause, while 18% attribute it to natural planetary changes and cycles.
Alternative medicine and holistic health practices
When facing serious health issues, most Spaniards trust conventional medical services. However, some also explore complementary treatments – 21% have tried homeopathy, 14% have used reflexology, 8% have experienced Reiki, and 3% have engaged with Ayurveda. Overall, 31% of Spaniards have used at least one of these methods at some point.
The moon landing debate
A minority – 14% – expressed doubts about the moon landing, believing it may have been staged. Meanwhile, 4% believe the Earth is flat. Similar surveys conducted in other countries, such as the U.S., have shown similar results where small but consistent segments of the population question widely accepted scientific facts.
What do you believe in? Share in the comments below!
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