We are conducting an international survey of contemporary Pagans. If you are a Pagan we would appreciate your taking the time to complete this survey.
This survey builds on an earlier one completed over twenty years ago, primarily in the United States, which was conducted by Helen A. Berger and Andras Arthen (of the EarthSpirit Community) entitled the Pagan Census. At the time it was hoped that we could do a census of the entire Pagan population. Although that was not possible the data that was collected was the largest of it type and served as the basis of a book, Voices from the Pagan Census by Helen A. Berger (with Evan Leach and Leigh S. Shaffer). The survey data is now available on line at Murray Research Archive at Harvard University.
A number of scholars have noted that it would be helpful to have a follow-up of that survey to see if and how the community has changed or remained the same. The survey that follows uses many, although not all of the same questions that were in the original survey to provide that comparison. There are also new questions, for instance about the Internet, something that was of little interest 20 years ago but is now, and some from other studies, that again permit a comparison. This has resulted in the survey being somewhat long--we appreciate your taking the time to complete it.
We realize that the categories found in questionnaires like this one frequently do not do justice to the complexities of real life. For this reason, a number of open-ended items have been included that allow for more nuanced responses. You are also welcome to contact Helen A. Berger directly at HBerger (at) wcupa.edu
Please inform other Pagans about this research project and feel free to pass it along via e-mail or to post a link on appropriate blogs or websites.
Thanks for your help.
Helen A. Berger
James R. Lewis
Henrik Bogdan
Showing posts with label survey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label survey. Show all posts
10 September 2009
15 May 2009
Survey: Religious Experience Amongst Followers of Nature-Based Traditions
For hundreds of years, individuals who experience unusual phenomena have, in the main, found such to bring more challenges than opportunities. Indeed, for many, it was the source of great suffering; from those tortured by inquisitors, to those who were locked in the halls of hospitals such as Bedlam, people who saw heard, or felt things not perceived by the majority were considered evil, or insane. Even today, people who have religious experiences are cautious when sharing such with others. Fears that they will be thought to be psychologically abnormal –crazy or even just ‘not quite the full quid’ keep many quiet about what are often interesting and possibly meaningful experiences.
Yet, for as long as humans have existed, there have been reports of such experiences. From those practicing the Shamanic traditions of ancient cultures through to those who employ the magical techniques of emerging civilizations, to those engage in mysticism, many individuals, who appear fully integrated members of their society or culture, have had experiences that are considered to fall outside of the range of that which is normal. However, if such is indeed a recurring aspect of human experience, it must be asked whether such experiences are truly abnormal, or whether they are expressive of a ‘normal’ dimension of within human personality.
Investigations into the psychology of religion have been looking at questions like these, trying to understand the psychology of religion. Associations with particular personality traits, as well as with particular forms creativity have been found, and questions have been raised as to whether what appear to be unusual religious experiences have been properly considered in the past. However, while many of these studies have looked at the experiences of people in mainstream religions, the experiences of people who identify with smaller, or less recognized religious groupings have not been well considered. This is unfortunate, because unless religious experience can be shown to be something that transcends the boundaries of particular religions, the question of whether it is part of normal human experience cannot be answered. Indeed, as long as religiosity is only considered as part of the paradigm of the established religions, it will only ever been seen through their eyes.
As part of attempts to diversify understanding, Dr. Tiliopoulos and myself (Caroline Fielden), from The University of Sydney, Australia are conducting research into the relationship between religious experience and particular aspects of personality. In particular we are looking for feedback from those who identify with nature-based religions – this being a community whose voice has yet to be properly heard in this type of research. We are hoping that such will reveal a clearer idea of what religiosity is, and what it means for our understanding of what it is to be human. To this end, we invite you to give expression to your experience, to complete this survey, which will be running for only a limited period of time. Please also feel free to pass on this survey, as the more respondents we have, the better. We thank you for your help, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Caroline at cfie7276 @ usyd.edu.au, or Dr. Tiliopoulos at nikot @ psychusyd.edu.au.
For those who wish to complete the survey follow the link below and simply answer the questions to the best of your ability. The survey should 5-10 minutes to complete.
CLICK HERE
Yet, for as long as humans have existed, there have been reports of such experiences. From those practicing the Shamanic traditions of ancient cultures through to those who employ the magical techniques of emerging civilizations, to those engage in mysticism, many individuals, who appear fully integrated members of their society or culture, have had experiences that are considered to fall outside of the range of that which is normal. However, if such is indeed a recurring aspect of human experience, it must be asked whether such experiences are truly abnormal, or whether they are expressive of a ‘normal’ dimension of within human personality.
Investigations into the psychology of religion have been looking at questions like these, trying to understand the psychology of religion. Associations with particular personality traits, as well as with particular forms creativity have been found, and questions have been raised as to whether what appear to be unusual religious experiences have been properly considered in the past. However, while many of these studies have looked at the experiences of people in mainstream religions, the experiences of people who identify with smaller, or less recognized religious groupings have not been well considered. This is unfortunate, because unless religious experience can be shown to be something that transcends the boundaries of particular religions, the question of whether it is part of normal human experience cannot be answered. Indeed, as long as religiosity is only considered as part of the paradigm of the established religions, it will only ever been seen through their eyes.
As part of attempts to diversify understanding, Dr. Tiliopoulos and myself (Caroline Fielden), from The University of Sydney, Australia are conducting research into the relationship between religious experience and particular aspects of personality. In particular we are looking for feedback from those who identify with nature-based religions – this being a community whose voice has yet to be properly heard in this type of research. We are hoping that such will reveal a clearer idea of what religiosity is, and what it means for our understanding of what it is to be human. To this end, we invite you to give expression to your experience, to complete this survey, which will be running for only a limited period of time. Please also feel free to pass on this survey, as the more respondents we have, the better. We thank you for your help, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Caroline at cfie7276 @ usyd.edu.au, or Dr. Tiliopoulos at nikot @ psychusyd.edu.au.
For those who wish to complete the survey follow the link below and simply answer the questions to the best of your ability. The survey should 5-10 minutes to complete.
CLICK HERE
23 January 2008
Pagan Values Survey
Mika is a PhD student from Finland, researching aspects of Paganism who needs pagans from the UK, Ireland or Finland to fill out his survey.
"About my current research.
I have been handing out paper surveys in London, Avebury, Dublin, and in a number of locations in Finland. That didn't seem to work well (pen and paper survey, wasn't that popular in the 80's?), so I have now started a web survey. I have been sending the link to the pagans I know and they have forwarded it to their friends. A bit of snowballing. .. I'm trying to get as many participants as possible by the end of April.
According to a Darby Uni. study there are about 43.000 Pagans in the UK. If I get 1% of that I'd be thrilled.
So, if you, or anybody else would like to help me with this, here is the link: Pagan Survey.
Feel free to forward it. The only requirements for participants are that they live in either UK, Ireland, or Finland, consider themselves to be Pagans, and are at least 18 years old."
"About my current research.
I have been handing out paper surveys in London, Avebury, Dublin, and in a number of locations in Finland. That didn't seem to work well (pen and paper survey, wasn't that popular in the 80's?), so I have now started a web survey. I have been sending the link to the pagans I know and they have forwarded it to their friends. A bit of snowballing. .. I'm trying to get as many participants as possible by the end of April.
According to a Darby Uni. study there are about 43.000 Pagans in the UK. If I get 1% of that I'd be thrilled.
So, if you, or anybody else would like to help me with this, here is the link: Pagan Survey.
Feel free to forward it. The only requirements for participants are that they live in either UK, Ireland, or Finland, consider themselves to be Pagans, and are at least 18 years old."
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