Religious Knowledge in America
I encourage you to test your religious knowledge by taking a fifteen question multiple choice survey. Once you complete the survey you will learn how your religious literacy compares to those who participated in the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey.
The results of the survey suggest the average American isn’t very knowledgeable about religion. In fact, the average participant answered exactly half of the questions correctly.
So What?
While I found the overall results discouraging, I was even more disappointed with the average score of white mainline Protestants.
Does your congregation provide educational opportunities for people to learn about other religions? How often do you offer a survey or introduction to world religions? Is this material for adults only or is it also regularly included in youth ministry?
In my most recent position, we held a multi-session introductory class once a year. Not only were these classes well attended, but they also led to increased understanding and ongoing discussions. This summer I was privileged to participate in a book study of Stephen Prothero’s new book God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World – and Why Their Differences Matter, which is an excellent text for individual or group study. You can read my review of the book here.