Over the past 13 years, Russians' "superstitious" beliefs in things like omens, prophetic dreams and astrology have declined, a survey by the Levada Center showed Monday.
Fifty-two percent of respondents surveyed said they believed in prophetic dreams, compared to 57 percent in 2000, Interfax reported.
Fewer people also said they believed in omens: 43 percent compared to 51 percent in 2000.
Only 28 percent of respondents believed astrological predictions, compared to 33 percent in 2000.
It also showed that fewer Russians believe that aliens appear on Earth from time to time, with 26 percent compared to 31 percent in 2000. The breakdown showed that Moscow residents are more likely to expect aliens, with 41 percent.
Sociologists noted, however, that at least half of the Russian population believes in God, according to Interfax.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.