'God' Helps with Personal Decisions, Most Americans Say

[n2doc]

By LiveScience Staff
posted: 10 March 2010 10:22 am ET

Most Americans believe God is involved in their everyday lives and concerned with their personal well-being, though the well-educated and higher earners are less likely than their counterparts to believe in such divine intervention, a new study suggests.

Scott Schieman, a sociology professor at the University of Toronto, examined data from two recent national surveys of Americans and their beliefs about God's involvement in their everyday lives.

The results, published in the March issue of the journal Sociology of Religion, suggest these beliefs differ across education and income levels. Past research has suggested other factors involved with our religious beliefs, with one study revealing teachers are more religious than other college grads, and another suggesting women are more likely than men to believe in God.

Here are some highlights from the new findings:

82 percent of participants reported that they depend on God for help and guidance in making decisions.

http://www.livescience.com/culture/belief-in-god-americans-100310.html

No wonder we are in the shape we are in....

[BurtWorm]

1. You mean god is in the lives of people who earn shit and he's not doing anything about it?

:wtf:

[Last_Stand]

23. Yes, god watches us all 24/7...

and allows humans to do unspeakably evil things to children, animals, and each other on a daily basis.

It's all part of his plan, you see.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Long ago, when I did believe in God, my mantra was "God helps those who help themselves."

I never was codependent.

[Mari333]

3. depends on what you consider god to be

it can be a higher power, or even the better part of your own being.

there are millions of definitions of what 'god' is.

[gratuitous]

8. Indeed

And as part of a faith community, I depend on the accumulated wisdom of the people I've known, loved and trusted for years when I have a difficult personal decision.

It's a poorly-worded question, designed to elicit a certain answer for the comfort of some and the scorn of others.

[ShortnFiery]

4. I have the impression that more and more Americans are/have become DEISTS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism

For myself, I'm a recovering Catholic. I still BELIEVE that there is "an energy" or "forces at odds - good vs. evil" which may not be GOD but of the very least, A VENERABLE HIGHER POWER that we can view with awe and admiration.

Anyway, that's what gets me through and I suspect others may hold to the same concept but default to the term GOD so as to explain their own very personal Deism.

p.s. I'm very much in agreement with the late Bea Arther's character "Maude," in that, KARMA exists.

"God's going to get you for that?" Yes, I believe that good and evil forces must balance out and this is in accordance with natural law. :evilgrin:

[Brickbat]

5. Well, that explains a lot.

[John Q. Citizen]

6. And here all this time I thought it was the Goddess Kali... who knew?

[Bigmack]

7. This explains the political decisions made by many Murikans... nt

[ShortnFiery]

10. No, however, I believe in difficult times MOST people turn to a Higher Power.

Thank goodness more folks don't join organized religion. But many of us, through times of hardship reach out for something to believe in.

There's no problem in being spiritual or even religious as long as you believe your God does not distain non-believers.

[Bigmack]

18. I believe in Rock and Roll... and Reason. nt

[Solly Mack]

9. Alrighty then

[Dhalgren]

11. Yeah, I heard that god has his own magic 8 ball...

works at least half the time...

[Echo In Light]

12. What about a Divine Plan then? What good is it if anyone can muck it up w/their personal wants?

[pipi_k]

13. God keeps telling me to buy the jelly beans

And eat them.

He obviously doesn't care how fat I get.

x(

[izquierdista]

14. You mean it isn't Hank?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x440600

[Subdivisions]

15. And yet the majority of those who said that 'God' directs or guides

their life are the same ones that rail against Muslims and their fanaticism.

[humblebum]

30. "Fanaticism" is the key word there. Fanaticism and extremism

can affect any grouping of human beings.

[darkstar3]

33. Moreso if that grouping of human beings

has already set aside their normal guard against rabid fanaticism (logical, critical, and deliberative thought), for easy answers.

[Bettie]

16. So people pray to make decisions

I call it intuition and some people are able to focus by talking to their imaginary friend.

If it helps and gives them comfort, then great.

As long as their belief doesn't screw with my government and life.

[ipaint]

17. God and hope...

The top 1% loves magical thinking. There isn't anything on earth that works better to cover up and excuse their crimes.

[panzerfaust]

19. So, is that why so many relationships that don't work out - God gives bad guidance?

Still, what can one expect from an all-powerful invisible master of the universe who allows children to be abused?

One of the first things I would stop, If I were god.

[goclark]

20. I don't know The Kennedy family is religious

just to name one family.

I am Christian and I believe I can make decisions that are helpful to others.

What an insult to those of us that Believe.

Why do so many Democrats put down religion ~ I don't ask you to believe in anything but it is not polite to do this ~

[kctim]

24. Not us Democrats

its so many "progressives," who love to put down religion. Its nothing but blind outrage aimed at people who dare to believe differently than them. A pretty stupid thing to do when one looks at the whole picture of the party. One of the most loyal groups to the Dem party are black Americans, who also just so happen to be one of the most religious groups there is.

[goclark]

27. Thanks so much for your words

I am reminded of the loyal Democrat, Martin Luther King and so many others.

Not just African Americans but Church groups of all ethnic groups who marched and still march for the Democratic Party and got out the the vote in many an election.

To have the ability to vote is extremely important to us and the church has always been the base of support.

Of couse most of the slaves were Christian so for African Americans to be talked down to about their religion is an insult .

Thank you for being understanding.

[AlecBGreen]

31. it can be hard being a Christian Democrat

especially here on DU. You only need to look at the posts in this thread to see the level of hate & contempt that many of our fellow Democrats have for their Christian brothers & sisters. Its pretty sad.

[nickinSTL]

35. as a "progressive", I find that rather insulting

I don't put down religion, and I have no problem with it - so long as it isn't used as a tool of hate to harm, denigrate and abuse those who don't have the same beliefs.

The problem that we "progressives" have is with all of the fundamentalists who are trying to enforce their beliefs on the rest of us. Those fundamentalists are, unfortunately, the loudest - leading many to equate that fundamentalism with any religion - and yes, in this country, with Christianity in general.

Instead of attacking progressives, try to find ways to bring a louder voice to those who really are good Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus - instead of using his name as a weapon.

I'm a progressive, and I'm not a Christian, but I know good, liberal Christians - friends who help me keep perspective and remind me that not all Christians are hatemongers.

[Goblinmonger]

36. Why does/should religion get a pass?

And I think "blind outrage" is quite hyperbolic. But why, when people do stupid things in the name or religion, should "progressives" just turn a blind eye and not say a thing about it?

[piratefish08]

21. and we wonder why the country is in the state it's in..............

"71 percent said they believe that when good or bad things happen, these occurrences are simply part of God's plan for them."

OR

"71 percent said they believe that they are too weak-willed to accept responsibility for their own lives and those around them, so 'Gawddidit' wraps up all the loose ends."

[AlecBGreen]

32. wow

thats quite a mental leap. how do you go from "it happened for a reason" to "i should lay down and do nothing" ?

[SidDithers]

22. Wonder what DU'ers say...

what percentage of DU'ers would agree with "most Americans"?

Sid

[GoneOffShore]

25. God botherers annoy the crap out of me.

Stone age loons.

[ipaint]

26. And 82% of participants believe they alone are doing something right or

doing something wrong depending "god's" answer.

It must not have anything to do with a de-regulated criminal capitalist elite wreaking widespread havoc and death.
No, it's all about the individual and their personal relationship with their chosen authority figure deity. And that yardstick is used to judge all others.

Me, me, me...all about me.

[laconicsax]

28. Of course they do. Their god is a sockpuppet.

http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/11/creating_god_in_ones_own_image.php

[RagAss]

29. HAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA

[Odin2005]

34. Have these people not read St. Augustine? Their God doesn't care.

[iris27]

37. And God's advice is never wrong.

Even if it results in utter catastrophe, well, it's just a trial that He decided you needed to make you stronger! And He'll give you the strength to get through it! :eyes:

[laconicsax]

38. Just like the video...

Mr. Deity and the messages

Jesus: ...so what you're saying here sir, is that you never answer any prayers?

Mr. Deity: Not really, no. There's just no incentive. I mean, look--if somebody prays to me and things go well, who get's the credit? Me, right? But if they pray to me and things don't go well, who gets the blame? Not me. So it's all good...I'm going to mess with that by steppin' in, putting my big nose where it doesn't belong?