U.S. Survey Finds Four Views on God - The Orange Mane

DBruleU · 09-12-2006, 10:08 PM

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2...923.shtml?s=ic

Although more than nine out of 10 Americans say they believe in God, they have four very different views of the Supreme Being, a landmark new survey reveals.

The national survey of more than 1,700 Americans – the most comprehensive national religion survey to date, according to USA Today – was conducted by Gallup and analyzed by sociologists from Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion.

It asked 77 questions and offered almost 400 answer choices.

Based on responses, the researchers delineated four different views of God:

The Authoritarian God (31.4 percent of Americans overall) is angry at humanity's sins and engaged in everyone's life and worldly affairs.

The Benevolent God (23 percent overall) sets absolute standards for mankind but is seen as primarily a loving, forgiving Creator.

The Critical God (16 percent) keeps a judgmental eye on humanity, but does not intervene in events.

The Distant God (24.4 percent) is a cosmic force that launched the universe, then left it on its own.

The largest percentage of people with the Authoritarian God view (43.5 percent) live in the South, while the Benevolent view is most common (28.8 percent) in the Midwest, the Critical God is most prevalent (21.2 percent) in the East and the Distant God is favored the most (30.3 percent) in the West.

Other findings reported in USA Today:
# The stereotype that conservatives are religious and liberals are secular is "simply not true" based on the survey, said sociologist Paul Froese. Political liberals and conservatives are both religious.

# While about one in three Americans say they belong to denominations that theologians consider evangelical, only 14 percent of those surveyed described themselves as evangelicals.

# More than 80 percent of those who favor the Authoritarian God say gay marriage is always wrong, and 74.5 percent believe the federal government should advocate Christian values – but only 12.1 percent want to abolish the death penalty.

BroncoBuff · 09-12-2006, 11:46 PM

*yawn*

L.A. BRONCOS FAN · 09-12-2006, 11:52 PM

Interesting article.

Sounds like bush supporters belong to the "Authoritarian God" group (no surprise there.)

L.A. BRONCOS FAN · 09-13-2006, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBruleU

# More than 80 percent of those who favor the Authoritarian God say gay marriage is always wrong, and 74.5 percent believe the federal government should advocate Christian values – but only 12.1 percent want to abolish the death penalty.

Smiling Assassin27 · 09-13-2006, 07:54 AM

Putting God in a box is a dangerous thing. Those poll answers are a testament to intellectual arrogance, IMO.

alkemical · 09-13-2006, 08:29 AM

Give me a poll where they poll 100k and i'll look at it more - 1700 is nothing.

What i mean specifically is i'd like a much bigger and varied demographic that represents the US populous as a whole.

DBruleU · 09-13-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

Give me a poll where they poll 100k and i'll look at it more - 1700 is nothing.

What i mean specifically is i'd like a much bigger and varied demographic that represents the US populous as a whole.

I just found it interesting. I don't put any weight into it though.

alkemical · 09-13-2006, 10:24 AM

It's interesting DB - but i get irritated at 'small' polls.

DBruleU · 09-13-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

It's interesting DB - but i get irritated at 'small' polls.

Most polls I see are about this size. If it means anything, they did say this is the most "Comprehensive" poll they have ever had.

alkemical · 09-13-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBruleU

Most polls I see are about this size. If it means anything, they did say this is the most "Comprehensive" poll they have ever had.

I can add 1 person to that pool and it'd be the most comprehensive ever!

Just for humor's sake... which god knew the outcome of this poll?

loborugger · 09-13-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

It's interesting DB - but i get irritated at 'small' polls.

I seem to remember from my Poli Sci classes in College that 1000 is about the average sized poll and gives an accuracy of +/- 3 percent. You have to go much larger to get much of an increase in accuracy.

alkemical · 09-13-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loborugger

I seem to remember from my Poli Sci classes in College that 1000 is about the average sized poll and gives an accuracy of +/- 3 percent. You have to go much larger to get much of an increase in accuracy.

I don't believe that would be so difficult to get 100 people from at least 49 continental states.

09-12-2006, 10:08 PM	#1
DBruleU Ring of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boulder, the bastion of communism. Posts: 3,663	U.S. Survey Finds Four Views on God http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2...923.shtml?s=ic Although more than nine out of 10 Americans say they believe in God, they have four very different views of the Supreme Being, a landmark new survey reveals. The national survey of more than 1,700 Americans – the most comprehensive national religion survey to date, according to USA Today – was conducted by Gallup and analyzed by sociologists from Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion. It asked 77 questions and offered almost 400 answer choices. Based on responses, the researchers delineated four different views of God: The Authoritarian God (31.4 percent of Americans overall) is angry at humanity's sins and engaged in everyone's life and worldly affairs. The Benevolent God (23 percent overall) sets absolute standards for mankind but is seen as primarily a loving, forgiving Creator. The Critical God (16 percent) keeps a judgmental eye on humanity, but does not intervene in events. The Distant God (24.4 percent) is a cosmic force that launched the universe, then left it on its own. The largest percentage of people with the Authoritarian God view (43.5 percent) live in the South, while the Benevolent view is most common (28.8 percent) in the Midwest, the Critical God is most prevalent (21.2 percent) in the East and the Distant God is favored the most (30.3 percent) in the West. Other findings reported in USA Today: # The stereotype that conservatives are religious and liberals are secular is "simply not true" based on the survey, said sociologist Paul Froese. Political liberals and conservatives are both religious. # While about one in three Americans say they belong to denominations that theologians consider evangelical, only 14 percent of those surveyed described themselves as evangelicals. # More than 80 percent of those who favor the Authoritarian God say gay marriage is always wrong, and 74.5 percent believe the federal government should advocate Christian values – but only 12.1 percent want to abolish the death penalty.

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09-12-2006, 11:46 PM	#2
BroncoBuff *************** Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 25,470 Adopt-a-Bronco: QUANTERUS SMITH	yawn

09-12-2006, 11:52 PM	#3
L.A. BRONCOS FAN Mo' holla fo' yo' dolla! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a bunker in an undisclosed location Posts: 52,697	Interesting article. Sounds like bush supporters belong to the "Authoritarian God" group (no surprise there.)

09-13-2006, 07:54 AM	#5
Smiling Assassin27 STOP! KIPER TIME! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 11,104 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	Putting God in a box is a dangerous thing. Those poll answers are a testament to intellectual arrogance, IMO.

09-13-2006, 08:29 AM	#6
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,723 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	Give me a poll where they poll 100k and i'll look at it more - 1700 is nothing. What i mean specifically is i'd like a much bigger and varied demographic that represents the US populous as a whole.

09-13-2006, 10:24 AM	#8
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,723 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	It's interesting DB - but i get irritated at 'small' polls.