American sociologists conducted a survey and made a portrait of God

• American sociologists conducted a survey and made a portrait of God

A group of scientists, psychologists used a new technique to construct an image corresponding representations 511 American Christians about God's appearance.

Portrait of God, drawn up by scientists on the basis of generalized responses of American Christians

The study participants showed hundreds of random pairs of individuals, and each time they chose one of the two, which, in their opinion, is more appropriate for God. Combining all those respondents selected, the researchers were able to synthesize the "face of God", which reflects the idea of ​​it different people.

The results were both surprising and revealing. From Michelangelo to Monty Python, God illustrations are almost always portrayed him as old and gray-bearded Europeans. However, the researchers found that many Christians see God's younger, more feminine and not to the point in a European-looking as you would expect on the basis of popular culture.

In fact, it turned out that people's perception of God, as a rule, depends in part on their political affiliation. Liberals tend to imagine God's face more feminine, younger and more tender than the Conservatives. Moreover, conservatives tend to see God's face more European and more manly. "These biases may arise from the type of society sought by liberals and conservatives - suggests Joshua Conrad Jackson, lead author of the study. - Previous studies have shown that traditional conservatives have expressed a greater desire, compared with the Liberals, to live in a well-ordered society, which could best be controlled by a powerful God. In turn, the Liberals would like to live in a more tolerant society ruled by a gentle and loving God. "

Perception of people is also related to their own demographic characteristics. For example, younger people imagine God looking younger. People who considered themselves more physically attractive, believed in God more beautiful. And African Americans imagine God is most similar to the African than European.

"The tendency of people to believe in God, which is similar to them, consistent with the known phenomenon of egocentric bias" - said Kurt Gray, leader of the study, professor of psychology at the College of Arts and Sciences in Chapel Hill. - People often projecting their own beliefs and exterior features on the other, and our research shows that it is quite true to the appearance of God - people believe in a God who not only thinks they are, but also looks like them. "