Atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons are among the highest-scoring groups in a 32-question survey of religious knowledge by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. On average, Americans got 16 of the 32 questions correct. Atheists and agnostics got an average of 20.9 correct answers. Jews (20.5) and Mormons (20.3). Protestants got 16 correct answers on average, while Catholics got 14.7 questions right.
Actually, I knew some athiests in Vegas and boy, did they know their stuff. I was always mystified as to why people who rejected God, hands down, would even know the 1st thing about the Bible, much less more than many believers.
To get to grips with John 3:16, I reckon it be necessary first to look at it in context, and most particularly to observe the person to whom Jesus was speaking. The answer then becomes plain, and the out-of-context interpretation may be left behind, or put on the ballot paper fire in the sistine chapel.
Better to ask, "What is the gospel?" and "How do you think God is like?" rather than ask about trivia.
I still think most churches do not teach their own doctrines clearly, so their members do not even know what makes their own church different from the one down the street.
For most Christians, attending church once a week is enough, kind of like a card you have to punch to say you showed up at work. Asking them to study a book between those times is just too much to ask.
Atheists may know more about other religions because they watch PBS programs that people who attend church would not watch. They may even be searching and open to spiritual matters, while people attending church feel comfortable with what they have found and don't see any need to ask questions or seek answers outside of their church.
Actually I think I qualify as not smarter than a 5th grader, but I got 29 correct with a few lucky guesses. As for atheists, professing themselves to be wise they became fools.
I answered 31/32 correctly. Although it doesn't prove anything to me. Most of the quiz isn't about Protestant Christianity, so what does it matter if you know trivia about false religions or not? The only question a Christian needs to answer correctly is the one about whether or not Jesus is Lord and Saviour.
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Dr. Bill Jones | 6/18/2008
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