The Number: 16% — Eyed by evil

Fully 16% of Americans believe in the "evil eye" or that certain people can cast curses or spells that cause bad things to happen to someone. Although the overwhelming number of Americans describe themselves as Christians, belief in non-Christian mystical experiences is widespread, according to a Pew Forum survey. Nearly three-in-10 Americans say they have felt in touch with someone who has already died, almost one in five say they have seen or been in the presence of ghosts and 15% have consulted a fortuneteller or a psychic. Similar percentages of American Christians express these supernatural experiences and beliefs.