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Listening Deeply Every day
S'lichot 2016 questionnaire

Thank you for taking some time to help us prepare for the conversation we will have as a congregation on S'lichot (Septmber 24 beginning at 7:00pm). Your responses will be kept anonymous and will be used by our scholar-in-residence, Rabbi Rex Perlmeter, together with our clergy to shape the discussion we will have as we make our way into the New Year and beyond explaining what it can mean to Listen Deeply Every day. Thanks in advance!
1.I wonder about God
2.I have questions about God
3.I have felt close to God... (you may select all that speak to you)
4.I have felt distant from God... (you may select all that speak to you)
5.God can be understood in many ways by different people. Even the same person may have differing beliefs about God. Here is an opportunity to identify some of your beliefs.
Agree
Agree, but not always
Disagree, but not always
Disagree
I'm not sure
God is the creator of the universe.
God rewards good people and punishes bad people.
The universe reveals evidence that God exists.
Science can explain everything. God is an unnecessary hypothesis. 
Auschwitz tells us that God's power is severely limited.
God could have prevented Auschwitz.
Sometimes innocent people suffer without reason.
God would like to prevent some of the suffering, but cant. 
We would understand why some people suffer if we could see the complete story. Evil exists for a purpose, even if we don't grasp it. 
Evil is a human responsibility, not God's. 
6.Here are some additional statements suggestive of characteristics we attribute to God.
Agree
Agree, but not always
Disagree, but not always
Disagree
I'm not sure 
God is my conscience.
God works through my conscience. 
God comforts
God is omnipotent
God is limited
There is purpose and design in the world.
It is impossible to understand God.
We are partners with God in the ongoing process of creation. 
There is one God.
God is the power behind the laws of nature.
God is the order behind the laws of nature. 
God is a force working for good in the universe. 
God is a presence in the universe supporting us to do our best.
God is hope
God is love
There is no God. 
7.Do any (or all) of the following quotes from our prayer book have a special meaning for you? Can you share some of your thoughts below?
8.Here are some further descriptions of what God does.
Agree
DIsagree
I'm not sure
God is merciful. 
God is just. 
God feeds the hungry. 
God heals the sick. 
Mercy is Godly. 
Justice is Godly.
Feeding the hungry is Godly. 
Healing the sick is Godly. 
9.If God was accepting questions, I would want to ask God the following question(s). 
10.When it comes to further conversations on God and matters of faith, I would be interested in...
11.When it comes to God and matters of faith, I would like Temple Emanu-El to...
12.Please tell us a bit about yourself. Because our community is so diverse, it will help us better understand ourselves if we know who is responding to this survey. Are you...
13.Please tell us your age...
14.How would you describe your religious identity?
15.How long have you been a member of Temple Emanu-El?
16.Please look back over the questions and indicate which 3 were most provocative for you.
17.We respect your desire to remain anonymous. If you'd like to include your email address below (optional), please do so.