Your views of God say a lot about you, study shows

Jet, Oct 2, 2006

Whether you believe in a wrathful God or a kind God, your perception of the Most High reveals your thoughts on everything from spirituality and spending patterns to political beliefs and social values, according to researchers at Baylor University's Institute for Studies in Religion in Waco, TX.

The survey of religion in the United States, one of the most extensive national religion studies, was administered by the Gallup Organization, and documented some interesting findings:

What The Study Revealed:

Contrary to popular belief that America has become more secularized, the study proved that when it comes to America's affiliation with religion, researchers have determined that Americans are not losing their religion.

It found that a third of Americans-roughly 100 million-are Evangelical Protestant; and that 22 percent are Mainline Protestant, while barely 1 in 10 Americans (or 10.8 percent) have no affiliation with a church, denomination or religious group.

When it comes to beliefs about God, the survey reported that 100 percent of Black Protestants have no doubt that God exists. The survey also found that 62.5 percent of Blacks are Black Protestants, meaning that they participate in denominations such as African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Church of God in Christ and National Baptist Convention of the USA.

Although the study unveiled several other findings, another interesting aspect of the study revealed that America has four religious traditions, representing four Gods:

Authoritarian God--31.4 percent believe that God is very judgmental and engaged.

Benevolent God--25 percent believe that God is not judgmental, but is engaged.

Distant God--23 percent believe that God is completely removed.

Critical God--16 percent believe that God is judgmental but not engaged.

Researchers surveyed a national random sampling of 1,721 participants. The respondents were asked more than 350 questions about various religious, spiritual, political and moral views. It also asked specific questions about God.

"Our purpose was to go wider and deeper into the average American's views of religion than has ever been done before in a national survey," Kevin Dougherty, Baylor assistant professor of sociology, told JET in an interview, adding that he's pleased with the study.

"I think it's fantastic and it's going to allow us to understand Americans' beliefs and values in ways that we never have before."

For more details on the study, visit Baylor University on the Web at www.baylor.edu

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BLACKS AND GOD

* The majority of Black people are Black Protestants.

* The majority of Black Protestants believe wholeheartedly that God exists and that Jesus is the son of God.

* Blacks are among those who have the highest and most consistent levels of belief and practices, including praying and reading Scripture.

* The majority of Black people believe that God is Authoritarian.

* Blacks are more likely to have seen the Passion of the Christ than Whites.