A number of prime time television programs deal with the supernatural. But several experts say the programs are making a real-world impact on the spiritual lives of those who regularly consume them -- for good or for ill. Wendy Martin, who teaches in the department of classics and religious studies at the University of Ottawa, wrote her doctoral dissertation based on television, spirituality, and the supernatural, looking at how people use television shows to negotiate spiritual concepts. The shows appeal to many viewers because they connect to spirituality in a "noninstitutional manner," she said. [ Visit Website ]