In US, atheists know religion better than believers. Is that bad?

[depakid]

For a highly religious people, Americans have plenty of room to improve their knowledge of religion, according to a new survey that’s stirring debate about the health of faith in America. The US Religious Knowledge Survey, released Tuesday from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, found atheists and agnostics know more basic facts about the Bible than either Protestants or Catholics. Among the other findings:

• 57 percent of Protestants can name the Bible’s four gospels.

• 55 percent of Catholics know their tradition teaches that sacramental bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood.

• 15 percent of white evangelicals know Jonathan Edwards participated in the First Great Awakening.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0928/Are-you-smarter-than-an-atheist-A-religious-quiz/When-does-the-Jewish-Sabbath-begin">Take Pew's religious quiz: Are you smarter than an atheist?

Based on a May-June survey of more than 3,400 American adults, these findings point to a dearth of religious knowledge in a country where nearly 6 in 10 adults say religion is “very important” in their lives.

“If you can’t even name the four books that tell us about teachings and way of life, then you’re in big trouble,” said Fuller Seminary President Richard Mouw. “You don’t know who Jesus is if you don’t even know Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.”

More: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0928/In-US-atheists-know-religion-better-than-believers.-Is-that-bad

I suppose one shouldn't be surprised, but WOW. Not knowing the Gospels and the Eucharist? :shrug:

[hlthe2b]

1. I think it reflects that many atheists researched their decision...

while many "religious" have had it literally handed to them (from parents)and have embraced it on "faith."

[HarveyDarkey]

34. By "researched" you mean actually read the texts?

Why yes I have.I only missed one on the quiz (alcohol led me astray on that one).

Fastest way to become an atheist? Read the bible.

[hlthe2b]

35. Yes.. or at least studied comparative religion..

I'm not saying those who learn more about religion are more likely to become atheists. Just that atheists (and many agnostics) have been "curious" enough to read about it before making up their mind.

[Kolesar]

2. How did cannabalism get into Catholicism

Disclaimer: me agnostic

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Read on Mithra and Horus

ye answer you seek is in there... all coincidences as to the story of the Christ and a myriad of gods in the Mediterranean that preceded it by at least 1000 years in the Mediterranean is just that silly father testing your faith.

That said, Horus is what you seek.

:hi:

[Kolesar]

25. I found some arguements on Yahoo Answers

They disputed whether whether Christianity was lifted from Horus, Mithra and Krisna. Bill Maher annoyed them with Religiolous. Have not yet got to cannibalism.

Horus: TA chainrings
Athena: Campagnolo bicycle component group
Chorus: Another Campagnolo component group

I am hunting for Mirage front hub cones right now

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. Ok will save you some of the search

Look at how Osiris rebuilt the body of Horus after it was ahem hacked to pieces...

And the trip to the land of the dead and the challenge to the dead gods...

When creating a new faith for the game I wrote... well it was a combo of Mithra and Horus. I took all obvious references out... and Odin was the great god.

:-)

[Kolesar]

44. A chilly evening and a board game, now that's fun!

My neighbor has a big dog named Odin.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Being religious don't mean you know religion

and there is actually an explanation. Very religious people know jack about other people's believes and many a times only what their preacher, Rabi, padre, what have you... tells them.

The biases are also amazing.

In the Jewish faith, for example, if there is a religious mandate... like a fast... if it is counter indicated for health reasons you are not supposed to do it, as it becomes a greater sin. (And we all know all powerful god is making sure we all do what we are supposed to)

Anyhow, this is not just Judaism... but folks have this idea that THEIR faith is so damn wise...

Hell sometimes when I hear religious people, or people of faith, talk about OTHER people's belief systems and religions it is like going down the rabbit hole.

[depakid]

14. Granted that an evangelical protestant might not know the eucharist- but the Gospels?

And granted that most of them neither practice nor take to heart the lessons in them, but at least one would be expected to know the names of the books.

Reminds me of the teabagger I met in Portland carrying a big sign saying read the constitution.

I asked this fellow how many articles there were in it and what main subjects they covered. He didn't know, and started to fumble in his backpack for his "pocket copy." I said, no come on now, without looking sure you know the first three. You know the branches of government thing?

Nope.

It would be nice to have a baseline for this study, because I swear that people weren't this stupid (or so willing to go out and demonstrate their stupidity in public) 20 - 30 years ago.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. We live in a country that likes to pretend to know things

Like your teabagger.

J am Jewish, nominally that is, and I have had fun quoting from the Gospels and telling these hard core believers that they are wrong.

I KNOW my way around both Old and New Testaments... most religious people don't.

And if I am not correct on a section...

Though I have to admit it, Leviticus, especially them sections about cloth to wear and not touching pork, and selling daughters into slavery are all kinds of fun.

[depakid]

23. I would venture a guess that the vast majority of Jews grasp the concepts underlying High Holy Days

They may not go so far as to make a Succah, but I reckon they get what it's all about, right?

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. In Mexico yes, here in the states I don't know

I have yet to find a Jewish Community I feel comfortable at.

:-)

Also in Mexico we have had a scary rise of fundamentalism (Among all faiths)

[PoliticAverse]

4. Reason

Isn't having a greater knowledge about religion why atheists and agnostics are atheistic and agnostic?

[Justitia]

8. it is for me. -eom

[riderinthestorm]

11. It is for me too. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[hlthe2b]

5. As to "Xians" not knowing the Gospels, I think that confirms

what I have long held... that they no more follow the tenets of Christ than they do the science of Darwin.

[PoliticAverse]

7. It amazes me...

How so many people that talk about the bible actually have never read the whole thing.

[depakid]

18. Well, you can skip the genealogy business and still get the gist

The study's not talking "whole thing" - nor some theological conundrum about the trinity- but really core stuff.

For a catholic not to know the eucharist is just astonishing, seeing as how it's outlined at every mass.

[Gold Metal Flake]

9. But it's not important for many religious people to know their religion, is it?

I mean, it seem that for many it's only important for them to claim that they know their religion. Loudly. In public. As a prelude to telling you how to live your life.

[demosincebirth]

10. Atheist know about things they don't beleive in?

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. It is called intellectual curiosity

History of religion, which means religious believes, as well as philosophy and ethics... which again leads to actually KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING religious believes in a RATIONAL matter, comes with it.

I will give you an example that most religious people don't know... where do you think International Humanitarian Law comes from?

Christian philosophies regarding the idea of how to treat the weak, the elderly, women and children...

The Muslims have similar theories... I am betting you did not know that. Oh and they go to about the same period of time...

[demosincebirth]

20. You assume of me what you don't know.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

22. What is the post about you assuming?

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. What exactly am I assuming

[demosincebirth]

30. " I am betting you did not know that. Oh and they go to about the same period of time..."

I do know that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. My apologies

but most people in this country or around the world don't know that. Unless you are a lawyer who's taken International Law, or a nerd that likes the damn subject.

So my apologies... I guess you are one of them nerds too. I know I am.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

19. I also read "Huckleberry Finn", and know most of the plot by heart. Isn't that amazing? -nt

[demosincebirth]

31. It sure is! yup, your're one smart dude.

[PSzymeczek]

32. It's generally how

people come to BE atheists - by researching and checking out what they've been told all their lives.

[sarge43]

33. Whatever your personal opinion or belief is about religion, it is an

important part of world history and culture and human psychology. IMO no one can call themselves reasonably educated and aware without a balanced knowledge of the basic tenets and history of the major religions.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

12. it is really not a surprise

that atheists would have a broader knowledge of various religions than the adherents of any single religion. as an adherent to any one religion you would not be exposed frequently to the others...

sP

[tnlurker]

15. I missed 3 questions

19, 13, and 1. I cold not come up with the forth gospel for some reason. I had the other three.

[Trajan]

16. Atheism isn't based on ignorance of religion ....

It is based on the rejection of known theology ....

I do not accept the theologies of the major religions - I do not believe they are true ...

I was raised as a strict Catholic ... Went to religion class every day ... Studied under Nun teachers who promoted the catechism at every moment .... For years and tears ....

I became Atheist soon after my confirmation ....

I could no longer buy what they were selling ...

Is it really a surprise ?

[elleng]

21. About this:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0928/In-US-atheists-know-religion-better-than-believers.-Is-that-bad

[Codeine]

27. I'm an atheist, and I missed one.

I had no idea who Maimonides was.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

29. i am a protestant and got them all...

i think i am a rarity. i think you are too...in a good way. the only way to make an informed decision is to be informed...

sP

[BlueJazz]

36. I missed 2 ...and I'm an Atheist.

:)

[Arugula Latte]

37. As atheists, we have to know what nonsense we're up against.

:)

[scheming daemons]

38. Simple: The more one knows about religion, the less likely one is to participate in it

[customerserviceguy]

39. Got 'em all right

Although I'll admit, that Johnathan Edwards question was quite obscure.

[Kolesar]

43. I learned about Johnathan Edwards listening to The Bill Press Show yesterday

www.billpressshow.com

[Rochester]

41. I got 28/32. I'm atheist

[Kolesar]

42. 30/32, but I will say 28/32 because I guessed lucky, and have self respect, and am atheist...eom

[arthritisR_US]

48. 30/32 and I'm an atheist. n/t

[HuckleB]

45. Alas, even us agnostics/atheists didn't score very well on this study.

Then, again, is there any area where, on average, a dearth of knowledge is not the norm for American adults?

[supernova]

46. Protestant and missed one

The Golden Rule isn't in the original 10 Commandments. :P :dunce:

Interesting test and explains why the righties shout nonsense about religion, theirs as well as everyone else's and lack thereof.

Clarification: I was raised in a mainline Protestant church, then one where it was required to study and read. That seems to be sadly out of fashion now. *sigh*

[yellerpup]

47. 31 of 32

Yup, I'm an atheist.