God. . . Karma, Jinn, spirits, and other metaphysical forces

• Published in: Current opinion in psychology Vol. 40; pp. 10 - 14
• Main Author: Johnson, Kathryn A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2021
• ISSN: 2352-250X; 2352-2518; 2352-250X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.08.001

•Belief in God and other supernatural beings and forces comes naturally to humans.•There are many views of God—benevolent, authoritarian, mystical, uninvolved, unknown, and so on.•Specific beliefs about God are differentially linked with health, well-being, and social attitudes.•Misfortune is often attributed to malevolent forces and this may alter health-seeking strategies.•The decentralization and marginalization of paranormal beliefs have probably impeded research. Humans have a natural tendency to explain events as caused by metaphysical or supernatural beings and forces. Much of the research in the psychology of religion over the past few years has focused on explanations and experiences involving a person-like God, whether God is authoritarian and/or benevolent, and the extent to which people think of God as being involved in human affairs. Yet many theists think of God in more abstract terms. Moreover, people in every religious tradition and culture believe in other metaphysical beings and forces. These beliefs and related experiences may reflect, and even predict, a believer’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. More precise measures and innovative methodologies are needed to investigate the great variability in metaphysical beliefs.