Elves Are Influencing Icelandic Government

We have recently finished The Crucible and having discussions about it. One of the last points someone in the class made was that they were surprised that so many people believed in witchcraft back during the Salem Witch Trials. Mr. O'Connor compared that to the fact that a lot of people believe in angels today. Even though I am Christian, I believe, like Mr. O'Connor, that angels do not exist. 

I recently came across an article that I thought was just completely over the top. This article claims that more than 50% of Icelanders believe in invisible elves. And I thought it was unusual for someone to believe in angels! Even though this data was taken in 1998, these beliefs have been around for centuries and it is unlikely that the percent of the Icelandic population's opinion would change much in a decade. 

According to the Icelanders, elves have their own community similar to that of humans. Elves have different types of jobs like humans, typically live in single floor houses, and attend church. If one disturbs an elf's home, the elves become "fierce" and serious consequences may arise such as the spraining of an ankle, mechanical breakdowns, or in some cases... a cow may die. There was even a case when the people of Iceland persuaded the government not to move rocks because it was "The Troll's Pass". 

As you can see, the Icelanders take the elves very seriously. The elves are occasionally reason for "local concerns" and the Icelandic government says that if a "certain location is cursed, or if supernatural beings inhabit a certain rock, then this must be considered a cultural treasure". Essentially, the government is stating that it respects any cultural beliefs its people have and that the responses of the government officials have been varied (some officials believe in elves, some do not). 

What are your opinions on supernatural forces? Do you think people's beliefs of the supernatural should influence the government like it did in "The Crucible" and Iceland?