India, they say, is a land of god-fearing people. That’s only partially true. An exclusive opinion poll conducted for The Times of India by TNS, a leading market research agency, shows that while threefourths of Indians are strong believers, God is perceived by many more as a source of energy rather than someone to be feared.
Asked to respond to the statement, ‘I think I fear God’, only 41% said they completely agreed and another 33% said they mostly agreed. On the other hand, in response to the statement that ‘God is a source of energy in my life’, 56% completely agreed and a further 32% mostly agreed.
The survey, done across 10 cities with 1,007 respondents, shows Indians are not convinced that God is a micromanager, that is, someone who controls our actions on a day to day basis. Rather, S/He is seen as the Creator — 91% feel God controls macro affairs like the rotation of the earth or the cycle of life and death. A significant 46% said S/He was an observer, not a controller.
Interestingly, the single largest chunk, 43%, said religion was a private affair compared to only 29% who saw it as a social affair and 28% who said it was both private and social. This might explain why a high 54% said they were against the broadcast of prayers, hymns or bhajans over loudspeakers.
In a finding that confirms anecdotal evidence, God is also seen as cool today. The number of people who said they are more religious now than they used to be was considerably larger than those who felt they had become less religious. The largest chunk, about 42%, said they were just as religious as in the past.
God is seen as responsive. A good 54% said God answers all prayers and another 41% said some prayers are answered. S/He is also seen by most believers as someone who loves both believers as well as non-believers.
Interestingly, while most people do not see God as having a specifically male or female form, views on how old God would be are more crystallised, although very evenly divided between those who think God is young and those whose conception is of a middle-aged or old Almighty.
For those who think belief in divine — and not just holy — texts is essentially confined to semitic faiths, here’s a revealing figure: 49% think the religious texts have been written either by God or by messengers of God, that is those who communicated directly with the Almighty.
Whom do you lean on in times of crisis?
SPIRITUAL GURU 2
MYSELF 59
OTHERS/CAN’T SAY 16
Note: Gurus and sermonisers and preachers are the distant last in the scema. Another Survey had brought out that Indian youths are the happiest. A strong emphasise on self and family support is the key.
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Do you have a spiritual Guru??
Yes 45%
No 53%
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Who do you think wrote religious texts??
God 18%
Messengers of God 31%
Wise men 34%
Ordinary humans beings 10%
Note: reflects the rational and pragmatic approch of a Hindu. Takes nothing on face value or say so of siomeone.
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What practices do you follow??
Visit places of worship 90%
Pilgrimage 62%
Religious music, books etc. 52%
Observe fasts 52%
Pray at home 83%
:Note : temples are important but not the sole of worship. Home is the best place.
Take god's name 56%
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Do you believe in reincarnation??
Yes 62%
No 34%
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Does going to heaven depend on your behaviour??
Yes 37%
Only for believers 31%
No, fate is pre-determined 8%
There is only one afterlife 3%
There is no afterlife 8%
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If God had a human form, would God be...
MALE 23
FEMALE 11
NEITHER 10
BOTH 49
CAN’T SAY 7
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Seems that religion is upbeat in India.
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