Influence of the Family on How Youth Relate to God

Abstract

God-image is the mental schema that an individual possesses of whatever they believe to be God. This God-image, which can often be an anthropomorphic representation that is based on human experiences, is said to influence the way individuals relate to God.2 On an extended level, God-image could also have an impact on the way individuals relate to others in their social milieu. For instance, Greeley3 found that people who hold more warm images of God (as a Lover, Spouse or Friend) tend to show more interest on social issues and programmes. They are more likely to support equality of women and the rights of minority groups, and to disapprove of capital punishment. In other words, one can argue that individuals’ God-image originates from their social experiences and flows back to it.