Related: Spooky! Top 10 Unexplained Phenomena The researchers also examined global historical data of infectious diseases, comparing those patterns with geographic trends in spiritual beliefs about evil. In their evaluations, the scientists noted individuals' social class, level of education, political orientation and strength of religious practice. Archival data from around 58,000 people across 50 countries, collected between 19, addressed the question of the subjects' belief in the devil.
They surveyed more than 3,000 university students in 28 countries, investigating whether the participants believed strongly in the evil eye (a person's ability to cast a curse 'through a malevolent glare'), witchcraft, the devil and unspecified evil forces. To test that hypothesis, the researchers conducted surveys and consulted archival data to assess levels of belief in evil.
