Synopses & Reviews
How do children imagine God? Surprisingly, few researchers have asked this question. In crayon drawings, doll-play, letters, and carefully designed interviews, the forty children in David Heller's study reveal a rich array of spiritual imagery. Though Heller does find some differing views attributable to age, gender, and religious background (the children were Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and Hindu), he discovers to a surprising degree a common vision of God that cuts across ethnic and religious differences. He also considers related issues of school prayer and the psychology of religion.
About the Author
David Heller is the author of
Dear God: Children's Letters to God, The Pleasures of Psychology, and
Power in Psychotherapeutic Practice. His work on children's views of God has been featured on
20/20 and the
PTL Club Network and in
USA Today, Psychology Today, Catholic Digest, Working Mother, and
Good Housekeeping. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Introduction: Children's Conceptions
2. The Method: In Search of the Children's God
3. Religious Themes
4. Age Themes
5. Gender Themes
6. Personality Themes
7. The Family: A Socialization Scenario
8. Common Themes
9. Conclusion: Implications for Childhood Religion
10. Epilogue: For Children Only?
Appendix
References
Index