Prof. dr Zorica Kuburic
Faculty of Philosophy
Novi Sad, Serbia

IMAGE OF GOD IN ATTITUDE OF GENERAL POPULATION IN BALKAN

Summary

This work takes into consideration the interaction of understood theological truth of the nature of God-being and attitudes toward various aspects of our earthly existance. More than any other religious attitude, the ways we view God form our understanding of religious instructions, life style and way to salvation, particularly the differences between belivers who belong to Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant and Islamic confessions. The following text is the outcome of extensive empirical material. It is written with interdisciplinary approach. The results of an extensive research in the Balkans by Gallup, Europe 2007, have shown the prevalent picture of God in the mind of Balkan nations. Our conclusions are based on examination of 9.464 individuals. Of all the attrubutes ascribed to God, the focus of Balkan mindset is on God being good, loving and forgiving in contrast to the picture of stern God officiating punishments. That overall positive view underlines the fact that God is viewed as a wholesome being to be apsolutely trusted, not because of power, strictness and ability to punish. Rather, God is trusted due to His love and power to protect and save people. Since that kind of a picture about God allows for the process of identification, the role played by religion in the Balkans is quite visible in day-to-day life.

Key words: Picture of God, Balkan, religiosity, Christianity, Islam