This anonymous survey of images, concepts, and metaphors of God is an attempt to understand different perceptions of God that reflect, for many persons, an important component of their life experience. The survey is motivated and guided by historical analyses of images of God and by research on different perceptions of God.

Researches on children's perceptions of parent behavior (Schaefer, 1965) and on spouse's perceptions of mate's behavior (Schaefer and Burnett,1987) have revealed simple, highly organized patterns as well as great variability among individuals. This survey will explore similar patterns of perceptions of God. Additional questions will explore how the personal meaning of the concept of God is related to beliefs in the existence of God, to religious beliefs and practices, to emotions, and to demographic data.


Different concepts, images, and metaphors of God are organized into twenty groups below. Each group includes four words that may describe the concept of God. Please assign weights to each of the words in each group as they describe your own concept of God. If you do not believe in the existence of God, please describe the meaning of the word 'God' for you."


The weight assigned to each word may vary from 0 to 10, but the sum of weights within each group may not exceed 10. To indicate that a word does not describe your concept of God, assign a weight of 0.. If only one word of a group describes your perception of God, assign a weight greater than 0 but no greater than 10 to indicate the strength of that perception. If two or more words within a group describe your concept of God, assign weights with a sum no greater than 10 among those words.


GROUP

 PERCEPTIONS OF GOD
I Creator Detached Person Nature Consoler
II Gardener Intimate Opponent Myth
III Healer Jailer Nurturer Foreigner
IV Nonexistent Builder Ally Visible World
V Inventor Bystander Society Enemy
VI Distant Person Guide Fiction Leader
VII Brother Adversary Artist Evolution
VIII Spouse Silent Person Natural Process Comforter
IX Accuser King False Idea Money
X Big Bang Father Mother Oppressor
XI Life force Ruler Delusion Lover
XII Lord Natural Law Prosecutor Family
XIII Companion Illusion Author Material Universe
XIV Folk Tale Participant Overseer Liberator
XV Architect Fantasy Partner Spectator
XVI Caring Person Stranger Engineer Matter/Energy
XVII Caregiver Mother Earth Master Humanity
XVIII Scientific Laws Friend Dictator Neighbor
IXX The Universe Community Designer Judge
XX Parent Physical Reality Observer Imaginary


What is your political party preference? Libertarian Conservative Republican Moderate Republican Liberal Republican Independent Green Conservative Democrat Moderate Democrat Liberal Democrat Socialist Other

How often do you vote in local and state elections?

How often do you vote national elections?

Please select the description below that is most similar to your current beliefs about the existence of God:


Please describe your self concept with the following scales.  (1=not like, 2= little like, 3=somewhat like, 4=much like, and 5=very much like.)

Religious:    1  2   3   4   5

Proud:    1   2   3   4    5

Ethical:    1  2   3   4   5

Charitable:     1   2   3   4    5

Spiritual:    1  2   3   4   5

Moral:    1   2   3   4    5

Intolerant:    1  2   3   4   5

Forgiving:     1   2   3   4    5

Reverent:    1  2   3   4   5

Lawful:    1   2   3   4    5

Righteous:    1  2   3   4   5

Merciful:    1   2   3   4    5

Born Again:    1  2   3   4   5

Accepting:    1   2   3   4    5

Puritanical:    1  2   3   4   5

Prayerful:    1   2   3   4    5


Please describe your participation in religious organizations  (1=not like, 2= little like, 3=somewhat like, 4=much like, and 5=very much like.)

Church Member:    1  2   3   4   5

Volunteer:    1   2   3   4    5

Financial Contributor:    1  2   3   4   5

Educational activities:     1   2   3   4    5

Social Activities:    1  2   3   4   5

Leader:    1   2   3   4    5


Please describe your responses to the uncertainties of life and death.  (1=not like, 2= little like, 3=somewhat like, 4=much like, and 5=very much like.)

Hopeful:    1  2   3   4   5

Detached:    1   2   3   4    5

Trustful:    1  2   3   4   5

Pessimistic:     1   2   3   4    5

Thankful:    1  2   3   4   5

Resigned:    1  2   3   4   5

Confident:    1   2   3   4    5

Discouraged:    1  2   3   4   5

Peaceful:     1   2   3   4    5

Depressed:    1  2   3   4   5

Joyful:    1  2   3   4   5

Indifferent:    1   2   3   4    5

Secure:    1  2   3   4   5

Fearful:     1   2   3   4    5

Optimistic:    1  2   3   4   5

Inattentive:    1  2   3   4   5

Calm:    1   2   3   4    5

Unmindful:    1  2   3   4   5

Cheerful:     1   2   3   4    5

Anxious:    1  2   3   4   5


How often do you attend a religious service?

About how often do you pray?


If you pray, please answer the following. (You may interpret "God" as the Ultimate Reality of your prayer.)

When you pray, do you?  (1=Never, 2= Rarely, 3=Sometimes, 4=Often, and 5=Always.)


Detach yourself from everyday concerns:    1  2   3   4   5

Quietly think of God:    1   2   3   4    5

Worship and adore God:    1  2   3   4   5

Try to listen to God:     1   2   3   4    5

Thank God for your life:    1  2   3   4   5

Think about God's goals for you:    1   2   3   4    5

Ask for the gift of love for others:    1  2   3   4   5


If you pray, please answer the following. (You may interpret "God" as the Ultimate Realality of your prayer.) During prayer, how often do you have the following experiences?  (1=Never, 2= Rarely, 3=Sometimes, 4=Often, and 5=Always.)


Awareness of the presence of God:    1  2   3   4   5

Increased love for family and community:    1   2   3   4    5

Understanding of your relation to God:    1  2   3   4   5

Compassion for the poor and oppressed:     1   2   3   4    5

Understanding of the meaning of your life:    1  2   3   4   5

Acceptance of strangers or enemies:    1   2   3   4    5

A sense of peace and well-being:    1  2   3   4   5