Study: People Imagine God in Their Own Images

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Perhaps unsurprisingly, people tend to project their own opinions onto God, according to a new study (in press) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. But, the researchers say, they also found that when people tweak their own opinions, they tend to also change their idea of God's beliefs in order to keep the two in line. The team conducted seven studies in the US, including four in which they surveyed people about their own beliefs on controversial issues such as abortion and the death penalty. Participants were also asked about what they thought God believed, as well as famous people like Bill Gates and President George Bush [Sydney Morning Herald]. Scientists then asked the participants—all of whom believed in the Abrahamic God and most of whom were Christians—to do things that might change their minds, like writing an essay about the death penalty from the opposite viewpoint of their own. When participants changed their own opinions, their ideas of God's opinion changed too, though their opinions of what other people thought remained the same.

Finally, the team used fMRI to scan the brains of volunteers while they contemplated the beliefs of themselves, God or "average Americans." … In the first two cases, similar parts of the brain were active. When asked to contemplate other Americans' beliefs, however, an area of the brain used for inferring other people's mental states was active. This implies that people map God's beliefs onto their own [New Scientist].

Despite their results, and the fact that members of the same religion can reach opposite viewpoints on these polarizing issues, the researchers say that believers' ideas of God don't change overnight. [Alexa] Delbosc, a Christian who carried out the research in the US while studying for a masters in psychology, said that although people's perceptions of God's attitudes on an issue could be "nudged" slightly, there would be limits to how radically people changed their views [Sydney Morning Herald].

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/...eir-own-images/

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Results not surprising, as known since Harappan times.

[Ban Hammer 14,665]

and i thought god looked like this.

[NickD 203]

Ha, I don't believe that, and neither did Michelangelo.

On second thought, maybe he did. God is indubitably a man, and an old one at that. Maybe even a dirty old man, with his arm around that young naked gal.

[BishopMnA 0]

Results not surprising, as known since Harappan times.

I agree.

Its difficult for man to 'put himself aside' and take on the will/conscience of God....for the average person it take a lifetime of effort. So many people simply reconcile themselves to God by fashioning God in a likeness which is more appealing to their own personal senses...which is represented by some of the results seen in this article.

I guess Paul had it right when he said, "For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are rational, it is for you."

Peace,

MK

[Nagishkaw 510]

Excellent post, Bishop!

[Peikko 1,575]

From observation, this is true and not really very useful.

[NickD 203]

[Peikko 1,575]

Nick, the study was looking at how people fashion their beliefs, not images.

[BishopMnA 0]

He does look like this...

Blessings

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Why is it surprising that things created from imagination fit that persons imagination?

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

and i thought god looked like this.

No, but one could use that to argue the existance of an all knowing all powerful God. No fair.

[NickD 203]

Nick, the study was looking at how people fashion their beliefs, not images.

Thought through their beliefs would fashion images, even some text to go along with it.

Wife won't let me put my hot sexy blond female on top of our Christmas tree dressed up like an angel with all kinds of lights on it. But is okay if I plug her in behind the couch. She does have a point, no recorded female angels in history, all males and horny ones at that.

In the dark ages all statues of Mary and female saints had to be flat chested, boobs were considered sinful. Another reason my angel is behind the couch, not only has a nice a$$, but big boobs as well. So God, the son of God, and all the angels are males that is quite understandable in a male dominated society. Got a big kick from that movie, Dogma, where that angel didn't even have a thingy. But can only conclude the writers of the bible also had their minds on sex. I seem to suffer that same fate.

[Ban Hammer 14,665]

and i thought god looked like this.

No, but one could use that to argue the existance of an all knowing all powerful God. No fair.

she's brazilian btw - not from the ukraine.

Edited December 3, 2009 by charles!

[Jenn! 918]

Wow, people are so arrogant.