Survey: Many Americans Know Little About Religion

Gerald · 09-28-10, 12:12 PM

A new survey of Americans' knowledge of religion found that atheists, agnostics, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions, while many respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths.

Forty-five percent of Roman Catholics who participated in the study didn't know that, according to church teaching, the bread and wine used in Holy Communion is not just a symbol, but becomes the body and blood of Christ.

More than half of Protestants could not identify Martin Luther as the person who inspired the Protestant Reformation. And about four in 10 Jews did not know that Maimonides, one of the greatest rabbis and intellectuals in history, was Jewish.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/28...ttle-religion/

Note:Published September 28, 2010

Takeda Shingen · 09-28-10, 12:16 PM

From experience, I find that most Christians know comparatively little about the theology and history of their faith.

SteamWake · 09-28-10, 12:19 PM

Wait ... what faith is Obama again

Sorry couldent resist.

Sailor Steve · 09-28-10, 12:30 PM

I live in Mormonland, and am constantly surprised at how many don't know the basic tenents of their own system.

I think that by-and-large, most people go to a church or claim to believe something for no other reason than it was how they were taught. Tradition can be a good thing, but it always pays to understand how it got there in the first place.

09-28-10, 12:37 PM

If you have ever watched Jay Leno on the street questions you know that questions regarding secular issues are even less known. But they know all about sports.

Quote:

However, level of education was the best predictor of religious knowledge.

BTW I knew this one.......if one were to attend a mass once and pay attention it isn't a secret.

Quote:

Forty-five percent of Roman Catholics who participated in the study didn't know that, according to church [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]teaching[/COLOR][/COLOR], the bread and wine used in Holy Communion is not just a symbol, but becomes the body and blood of Christ.

Ducimus · 09-28-10, 12:43 PM

I have many gripes about christianity and organized religion in general as it exists here in America. But i'll only say that it is not lost on me, that religion, has become a business here. At least in california, i can't say for elsewhere. But here at least, it is most definatly a business. As such, i'm sure the "teachings" and interrpretations are done in a manner that is.... profitable?

I'll stop there. I love to rant about this topic entirely too much.

Diopos · 09-28-10, 03:21 PM

Survey: Many Americans Know Little About Religion

Thank God!

.

09-28-10, 12:12 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Survey: Many Americans Know Little About Religion A new survey of Americans' knowledge of religion found that atheists, agnostics, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions, while many respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths. Forty-five percent of Roman Catholics who participated in the study didn't know that, according to church teaching, the bread and wine used in Holy Communion is not just a symbol, but becomes the body and blood of Christ. More than half of Protestants could not identify Martin Luther as the person who inspired the Protestant Reformation. And about four in 10 Jews did not know that Maimonides, one of the greatest rabbis and intellectuals in history, was Jewish. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/28...ttle-religion/ Note:Published September 28, 2010 __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-28-10, 12:19 PM	#3
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Wait ... what faith is Obama again Sorry couldent resist. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

09-28-10, 12:30 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I live in Mormonland, and am constantly surprised at how many don't know the basic tenents of their own system. I think that by-and-large, most people go to a church or claim to believe something for no other reason than it was how they were taught. Tradition can be a good thing, but it always pays to understand how it got there in the first place. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

09-28-10, 03:21 PM	#7
Diopos Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, the original one. Posts: 1,226 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Survey: Many Americans Know Little About Religion Thank God! . __________________ - Oh God! They're all over the place! CRASH DIVE!!! - Ehm... we can't honey. We're in the car right now. - What?... er right... Doesn't matter! We'll give it a try anyway!

09-28-10, 12:16 PM	#2
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	From experience, I find that most Christians know comparatively little about the theology and history of their faith.

09-28-10, 12:43 PM	#6
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I have many gripes about christianity and organized religion in general as it exists here in America. But i'll only say that it is not lost on me, that religion, has become a business here. At least in california, i can't say for elsewhere. But here at least, it is most definatly a business. As such, i'm sure the "teachings" and interrpretations are done in a manner that is.... profitable? I'll stop there. I love to rant about this topic entirely too much.