Anse-Couleuvre, France (photo from trekearth.com)
Thanks, Charles!
The following will be in the final copy of my PhD thesis. I shall email all those persons that I have on my list that assisted with the questionnaire.
The survey results and graphs do not exhaustively reflect the statistics, but I only presented the most relevant results. Two-hundred thirteen persons from various Christian churches worldwide were surveyed.
Since there are sixty-six questions, I present the thirty-two most relevant in my view, to my work.
Please note that it is very difficult contextualizing often complex philosophical theology questions in the form of questionnaire propositions.
I realize there are many difficulties with this empirical theology approach, but it has served as providing a vehicle for PhD thesis originality. Please keep this in mind when commenting, but of course your take on a question may be different than mine.
It can be like trying to pull teeth to have persons fill questionnaires out!
Thank you!
Russ
Question 1
Question 4
Question 7
Questions 8-10
Question 11
Question 12
Question 13
Question 14
Question 15
Questions 16
Question 17
Question 18
Question 19
Question 21
Question 22
Question 23
Question 24
Question 26
Question 27
Question 28
Question 30
Question 31
Question 32
Question 34
Question 35
Question 36
Question 38
Question 39
Question 40
Question 42
Question 43
Question 46
I am hungry for pie now...why?
54 comments:
Cool...so that is what you came up with from all our comments..now that you layed out all the questions with all the pieces of pie i could think of lots of comments toward many of the different questions presented and how people have answered so strongly in some areas...i see lots of places where i agree or disagree but had not previously commented on!! :)
Yes, you were all little slices of pie.
Thanks, Sherry.
Russ;)
Somehow it did not load and I will have to come back another time
Thanks.
I can relate to that problem at times with some sites. That is a reason I use three web browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari), as sometimes a page will properly load on one browser but not another, for a time.
Russ:)
Somehow someone else took over my domain address. I have had to switch Night Writing in the Morning Light to a new name which is http://nightwritinglem.blogspot.com/
I am still reconstructing. If you use the old name of www.nitewrit.net you will get some real estate site. I have nothing to do with this site or company.
Larry E.
"I am hungry for pie now...why?"
Funny...but me too!
"Please note that it is very difficult contextualizing often complex philosophical theology questions in the form of questionnaire propositions."
So true! I found myself answering "yes", "no" and "not certain" to many of these questions depending on what is exactly meant by the question. :-)
Question #28 is an interesting question. I like your stance of humanity being created "immature". As you know from my posts, I believe that "man" was created "perfect"...but as a type and, therefore, incomplete.
It would be interesting to know the why of some of these answers, e.g., why does a person believe or disbelieve that God does not cause evil...or allow sin...or influence the actions of all people...or...etc.
But again, as you suggested, the complexity of these questions make it difficult to have simple answers.
Great work on all of this, Russ!
Now I'm going to have some lunch...and some pie for dessert!:-)
GGM
Larry, that is horrible.
I hope that you can find help in getting your blog domain back.
I pray the Lord will help with you with this issue.
Russ
'Question #28 is an interesting question. I like your stance of humanity being created "immature". As you know from my posts, I believe that "man" was created "perfect"...but as a type and, therefore, incomplete.'
Well done, GGM;)
Cheers!
Russ
I can see you put a lot of work into that, Russ.
I don't understand the Primary/Secondary/Tertiary Religious Labels graph. I don't understand what each of the numbers in each of the four categories represents.
Interesting that 70% agreed that 'God is close to all persons"...similarly, many people think that everyone is a child of God, which is not true (everyone is a creation of God, but only the redeemed are His children).
Interesting that 68% agreed that "God is beyond His creation." I assume that means 'God is distinct from His creation' since you already have a category for 'God separates Himself from His creation.'
I see that 56% agreed that God is in all things, so I assume they interpreted this as 'God is involved in all things,' rather than a literal interpretation, i.e., the animist or Hindu idea that God exists in the rocks, in the trees, etc.
Thanks very much, Jeff.
'I don't understand the Primary/Secondary/Tertiary Religious Labels graph. I don't understand what each of the numbers in each of the four categories represents.'
For Catholic (example)
213 sampled
16 persons=(Catholic) Primary Religious Label
12 persons=Secondary Religious Label
10 persons=Tertiary Religious Label
'Interesting that 70% agreed that 'God is close to all persons"...similarly, many people think that everyone is a child of God, which is not true (everyone is a creation of God, but only the redeemed are His children).'
I agree that everyone is not a child of God as in the Biblical sense of a believer.
God is immanent however, and so in a sense is close to all persons.
It is a difficult question. I had an expert empirical theologian guide me to word these, and I personally do not like the wording much on some of the questions. But, he knows what he is doing for a British PhD.
'Interesting that 68% agreed that "God is beyond His creation." I assume that means 'God is distinct from His creation' since you already have a category for 'God separates Himself from His creation.''
God is transcendent. Yes.
'I see that 56% agreed that God is in all things, so I assume they interpreted this as 'God is involved in all things,' rather than a literal interpretation, i.e., the animist or Hindu idea that God exists in the rocks, in the trees, etc.'
Agreed, and another difficultly worded question.
Cheers:)
Hello Russ,
That was great! You put a lot of time and effort into that i could tell. I love surveys that was fun!
Tamela:)
Cheers, Tamela.
That is the tip of the iceberg as far as this PhD work is concerned.
Russ:)
By placing the results of the questionares in pie form made it very easy to see the results of each question in percentages. Very well done Russ, this is another great section to your PhD!
-Hi to Pie-
Cheers,
I suppose I could have put them in cake form (if such a program existed), but I reason that would have made readers too hungry and I would like them to take some time to comment before heading to the fridge.
great graphs and research... it'd be interesting to see how the demographics (age,gender,denomination,etc) map out to your last set of questions on theology...
God is transcendent. Yes.
I found this interesting, from Wikipedia: Transcendence (philosophy):
"The first meaning, as part of the concept pair transcendence/immanence, is used primarily with reference to God's relation to the world and is particularly important in theology. Here transcendent means that God is completely outside of and beyond the world, as contrasted with the notion that God is manifested in the world. This meaning originates both in the Aristotelian view of God as the prime mover, a non-material self-consciousness that is outside of the world. Philosophies of immanence such as stoicism, Spinoza, Deleuze or pantheism maintain that God is manifested in and fully present in the world and the things in the world."
Compared to Wikipedia: Transcendence (religion):
"In religion, transcendence is a condition or state of being that surpasses physical existence and in one form is also independent of it. It is affirmed in the concept of the divine in the major religious traditions, and contrasts with the notion of God, or the Absolute, existing exclusively in the physical order (immanentism), or indistinguishable from it (pantheism). Transcendence can be attributed to the divine not only in its being, but also in its knowability. Thus, God transcends the universe, but also transcends knowledge (is beyond the grasp of the human mind). Although transcendence is defined as the opposite of immanence, the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Some theologians and metaphysicians of the great religious traditions affirm that God, or Brahman, is both within and beyond the universe (panentheism); in it, but not of it; simultaneously pervading it and surpassing it."
"Christianity
Christians pick up on the historical dynamism of the future-oriented plan of the Old Testament and follow the immanent workings of the transcendent God in the story of Christ. They too believe that God's existence is ontologically distinct and fully independent of the material universe, and yet that He interacts directly with it. As with the Jews, this distinction is articulated in the notion which some believe to be unique to the Semitic religions: creation. Theologians thus have the onus of showing how God can still be regarded as infinite, although there exists, through creation, something that He is not, but which does not thereby limit Him. Thomas Aquinas, for instance, argued that although after creation there are more beings (plural) than before, there is still no more being (singular), because all that exists other than God shares in the one being of God, although in a particularized way. Jesus Christ is believed to be the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, but incarnate in the humanity received corporally from the Virgin Mary and a divinely-created human soul.[I think I would disagree with the idea of Jesus having a created human soul, but I don't know enough to be absolutely sure.] Thus, transcendence and immanence interpenetrate in an exceptional manner in the Christian faith, practice and theology. The mysterious and paradoxical nature of Christ provides a bridge between the infinite Deity and finite man."
Anonymous said...
By placing the results of the questionares in pie form made it very easy to see the results of each question in percentages. Very well done Russ, this is another great section to your PhD!
-Hi to Pie-
I agree!
'great graphs and research... it'd be interesting to see how the demographics (age,gender,denomination,etc) map out to your last set of questions on theology...'
Thanks very much, Lon. As noted, the material presented in not exhaustive and neither are the calculations I completed.
However, from my PhD, here are my age results.
Question 2: Age.
The age group with the highest percentage and valid percentage was the ‘under 25’ group, with 29 ( 13.6%) respondents, followed closely by the ‘25 to 29’ group with 28 (13.1%) respondents. The next group was ‘35 to 39’ year olds with 27 (12.7%) respondents, followed by ‘30 to 34’ year olds with 24 (11.3%) respondents. It is interesting that the four youngest age groups were 50.7% of my total respondents. Are young persons more likely to fill out a questionnaire? Statistically there is a general decline in respondents as the age increases. The two groups with the lowest respondents are the ‘70 to 74’ and ‘75 and over’ groups, that together total 13 (6.1%) respondents.
Thanks, Jeff.
Russ:)
Thanks, Russ... "evil survey" sounds odd, but yes, I did see it an enjoyed mulling over the results. Thanks for coming by the blog (you are disciplined about doing so and I will gladly return the favor).
I know the feeling of accomplishment and relief to bring years of research and writing to completion (at least this stage of completion). So, I celebrate your own journey as well.
Robert
Interesting results. It puts into perspective what general opinions and mind set is for diff people. And it was interesting to note where my answers are within the minority, hehehe. This is great work done Russ! It was interesting to see the education level groups-surprised me too. Kudos!!! --tandy
Cheers, Robert.
I am glad you are succeeding as well.
Russ:)
Tandy,:)
Thanks for both your blog and questionnaire participation and it was good to see you when you were visiting the Lower Mainland..
Russ;)
Very interesting study.. Let me know more about this...
Cheers, Leon.
I will keep you in mind.
Russ:)
I really like how the graphs look, you did a great job.
I think I told you before that it would have been nice if the questions had a place for us to add our thoughts to better explain why we said what we said, or even ask questions. well over all it's a job well done. rick b
Cheers, Rick.
My friend Charles did an excellent job showing me how to put the graphs together.
Please feel free to add various comments on the questions.
Russ:)
"Russ. Interesting to read the replies re your blogs. I know how much work you put into the study and thesis, and it did turn out pretty Great - and will be EVEN BETTER after you finish with all the fixings! Excellent work almost Doc.
Mom"
Thank you, Mom.
I am half way through my PhD photocopy binders that are each filled with writings that have me ponder.
Love,
Russ:)
Danger of US National Debt
Russ,
That "U.S. Crash" video is alarming, though not altogether new information. It seems that the fulfillment of Revelation may be starting to happen right before our eyes.
What are your thoughts on Mrs. Obama putting her arm around the Queen? Our local (liberal) newspaper said it was a great thing, and talked about how great it was that the two got along together so well. However, I'm told by some who watched it happen on TV that the Queen stepped back and gave Mrs. Obama the dirtiest look.
So far two people have told me that the Queen had an "How dare you!" expression on her face when Michelle Obama put her arm around the Queen. However, I'm also told (and my Internet research seems to confirm this) that the U.S. is claiming that the Queen put her arm on Michelle first, and that they are trying to cover up the facts, and arguing in Michelle's defense. Most of the photos I'm seeing now are from the rear, so that you can't see her expression. My Internet research also revealed that the Brits were initially shocked.
Great post Russ! Most interesting survey. re: BHO, The Lib press will keep on fawning over their "messiah" until every thing he has touched goes to total garbage, and then blame reality for not being cooperative with his policies. Putting the least competent people on the planet in charge of a business system that's already failing due to the sincere "help" from that same bunch who are now there to make it better, while they double taxes and quadruple the money supply (thus, of course, once the banking sector has multiplied that "stimulus" five times again through loans) so the money we have after income taxes is worth twenty times less at the store before we start paying sales, vat, and hidden payroll, inspection, fuel, and road use taxes with our purchases at the store is sure to build a solid economy and consumer confidence. Oh, yeah- and if I don't believe all that I probably keep my sheets on a coat hanger, right?
Hi, Russ. Interesting survey results. I've been away from blogging for a while, so if I would have had a chance to participate, I missed out.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought some of the questions were poorly worded. I thought about a third of them (not exaggerating, here!) were too ambiguous to make the results meaningful. 13-18 are good solid string of them.
15, for example, could mean "God is omnipresent" or "Everything is part of God". The former is a traditional Christian belief that I strongly agree with, while the latter is more like a New Age pantheisthic doctrine, which I wholeheartedly reject. The split in the responses on that one could be due to this dicotic interpretation of the question, instead of being based on people's genuine opinions.
I think 18 is a trick question: In every sense of the word, evolution refers to genetic changes, as living things reproduce, and says nothing about the origin of life. So, life itself, no matter what side of the fence the people surveyed were on, cannot be a product of evolution.
I do think the pie charts were a great way to represent the data, though! I hope my PhD thesis (in computer engineering) won't be THIS much work, when my turn comes!!!
All the videos I've found on the Internet so far look to be edited. They cut away from the front view just before Michelle puts her arm around the Queen, and cut to a view from behind, after they already have their arms around each other.
But I did find this:
"BUT the queens reaction was tandamont to someone stepping in dog poo."
'That "U.S. Crash" video is alarming, though not altogether new information.'
Agreed.
'However, I'm told by some who watched it happen on TV that the Queen stepped back and gave Mrs. Obama the dirtiest look.'
The media here showed the Queen placing her arm around Mrs. Obama first. It made them out to be 'buds', interestingly, recently UK radio which I listen to online has been discussing the question of the monarchy. Perhaps the two issues are related. The Queen may be looking for good public relations and the Obamas are huge celebrities.
'However, I'm also told (and my Internet research seems to confirm this) that the U.S. is claiming that the Queen put her arm on Michelle first...'
This is what the media's imagery here appeared to show.
'But I did find this:
"BUT the queens reaction was tandamont to someone stepping in dog poo."'
Interesting.
Thanks very much, Jeff.
'Great post Russ! Most interesting survey.'
Thanks, Dr. Robert.
're: BHO, The Lib press will keep on fawning over their "messiah" until every thing he has touched goes to total garbage, and then blame reality for not being cooperative with his policies.'
You make me smirk.:) Very good.
'Putting the least competent people on the planet in charge of a business system that's already failing due to the sincere "help" from that same bunch who are now there to make it better, while they double taxes and quadruple the money supply (thus, of course, once the banking sector has multiplied that "stimulus" five times again through loans) so the money we have after income taxes is worth twenty times less at the store before we start paying sales, vat, and hidden payroll, inspection, fuel, and road use taxes with our purchases at the store is sure to build a solid economy and consumer confidence.'
Yes, the new US stimulus debt is scary and seems over done.
Russ:)
'The split in the responses on that one could be due to this dicotic interpretation of the question, instead of being based on people's genuine opinions.'
Yes, a problem with empirical theology/surveys is LACK OF CONTEXT.:)
'I think 18 is a trick question: In every sense of the word, evolution refers to genetic changes, as living things reproduce, and says nothing about the origin of life. So, life itself, no matter what side of the fence the people surveyed were on, cannot be a product of evolution.'
I never did like the wording of this, but my advisor did. However, some moderate to extreme liberals within the Church will see life as resulting from evolution via God. I agree the God is the originator of life. If there is evolution it is not macro, but micro, meaning species only evolve within their own species and God originally created certain species which evolved over time. For example, human beings could be postulated to have evolved into different 'races', but I totally reject Biblically or scientifically any notion that human beings were ever anything other than human.
Thanks, Greg.:)
If there is evolution it is not macro, but micro, meaning species only evolve within their own species and God originally created certain species which evolved over time. For example, human beings could be postulated to have evolved into different 'races', but I totally reject Biblically or scientifically any notion that human beings were ever anything other than human.
Cool, I fully agree to that!
"In "Expelled," which debuted last March in theaters, [Ben] Stein makes the case that Darwin's theory of evolution has become ingrained as the orthodoxy in the scientific community and that anyone offering a critique of the teaching has been punished or ostracized. The film highlights a number of educators and scientists who have been ridiculed, denied tenure or even fired in some cases for supporting Intelligent Design or challenging Darwinism."
"In press conferences promoting his movie, Stein has argued that the theory of evolution is partially responsible for the eugenics movement, the rise of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust.
It has only been a couple of months since Stein withdrew his name as the University of Vermont's commencement speaker because of complaints about his views on evolution. According to the Burlington Free Press, the school's president claimed that he received hundreds of emails opposing the invitation and criticizing Stein's views as "affronts to the basic tenets of the academy." Stein defended his views in an email to the Burlington Free Press, saying the controversy was "laughable" and stating "I am far more pro-science than the Darwinists. I want all scientific inquiry to happen, not just what the ruling clique calls science."
from: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=482204
Is it expected that your thesis advisor would have such an influence on your work, even down to the wording of some of these questions, when you didn't agree with his opinion? Sorry; I don't mean to sound like I'm picking apart your well-thought-out survey. :) You clearly spent a lot of time on it, and the results are definitely interesting.
We totally see eye-to-eye on evolution. :) The evidence is clear that living things do adapt to their changing environment, over time. It even makes sense that God would imbue His creation with this ability, so that it will continue to thrive. But the only views I generally see presented in the media, are the two extremes: man-from-primordial-soup with no God vs. God made everything as it is today, with nothing in-between.
I even read an argument that used the fact that God said everything He created was "very good", to prove that there could have been no death in Eden, and hence no dead animals to make fossils, until the flood. Plausible, but maybe grasping at straws a little.
Thanks, Jeff.
From my reading and personal experience, politics is often a negative aspect of academics.
Russ:)
Thanks, Greg.
A real large negative with the UK system is that in my case I did everything I was told by two qualified advisors, and yet they have no say in my final grade. Two examiners of different educational backgrounds, not empirical theologians like my advisors, come in and demand a different type of thesis.
I therefore now follow their instructions to pass in final terms.
'I even read an argument that used the fact that God said everything He created was "very good", to prove that there could have been no death in Eden, and hence no dead animals to make fossils, until the flood. Plausible, but maybe grasping at straws a little.'
Yes, this debate has been discussed on thekingpin68 and satire and theology.
Russ:)
"Two examiners of different educational backgrounds, not empirical theologians like my advisors, come in and demand a different type of thesis."
Oh, yeah, like THAT's fair! I feel for you, man! But, hey, at least it's almost over! Hang in there!
Don't know if you're interested, Russ, but here are two surveys by the Barna Group:
Survey Shows How Liberals and Conservatives Differ on Matters of Faith
Survey Describes the Spiritual Gifts That Christians Say They Have
Thank you, Jeff.
I am not an economist, but I am very concerned about the US printing all of this extra money and pumping it into a shaky financial system. It will be our children who will suffer from this debt over load.
-Scrooge-
Interesting that 47% are still in the dark about election and predestination, although the number is growing it seems. Most of the other results seem to be in line with common thought.
Mr. Scrooge, you and Mr. Grinch should work together and write a book.
Good points.
Thanks, Rick.
'Interesting that 47% are still in the dark about election and predestination, although the number is growing it seems. Most of the other results seem to be in line with common thought.'
Also besides Question 35, telling are the results of Questions 22 and 26. Much of the soft-determinism/compatibilism aspect of Reformed thought was rejected in both my PhD and MPhil surveys. I conclude in my PhD that it is not being adequately taught within Reformed organizations.
My MPhil survey can be found with the entire thesis in January 2006 archives.
Rick, much appreciated.
wow, these are really fascinating. Funny how different everyone's ideas are despite presumably reading the same Bible...
Yes, thanks and may God help us!
Russ:)
Russ,
Related to the problem of evil, ever since that heart-pounding very loud explosion of glass when someone tried to break through my front door 3 nights ago at 11:30 PM, I have now purchased an aluminum baseball bat and have hidden martial arts weapons in strategic places around the house. Even though my cousin says that nunchaku are no match against a gun, and I agree, I would rather injure a burglar/intruder with a bat or martial arts weapon, and have them writhing on the floor or unconscious, than kill them with a gun. True, you could kill them with a bat, and you could also only shoot them in the leg with a gun, but I think it's easier to avoid killing them using a bat, nunchaku, kali stick, knife, steel cobra, etc., than it is if you use a gun. I would feel very uncomfortable shooting someone, and much more likely to hesitate, than if I used a bat or martial arts weapon. And, no matter what my cousin says about the current laws in Florida, I would still fear the possibility of going to prison if I killed an intruder with a gun. Besides, there is more and more talk of the government taking away all guns from citizens. And the law has often not been on the side of those who try to protect their own homes, but has too often been on the side of the criminal instead. So, although I am now much more serious about self-defense and protecting my home against intruders ever since that attempted break-in, I still would not want to kill anyone. I would really, really hate to have that on my conscience. And, if I am killed, I know I will merely go home to Heaven.
'And, no matter what my cousin says about the current laws in Florida, I would still fear the possibility of going to prison if I killed an intruder with a gun. Besides, there is more and more talk of the government taking away all guns from citizens. And the law has often not been on the side of those who try to protect their own homes, but has too often been on the side of the criminal instead.'
Good thinking.
That is an intelligent thesis, Jeff, thank you.
I finally managed to see it all and I have one word only ...... WOW ...... What a fantastic study and also some very entertaining discussions here.
'I finally managed to see it all and I have one word only ...... WOW ...... What a fantastic study and also some very entertaining discussions here.'
Thanks very much!
Russ:)
Post a Comment