
Okay, this article is hysterical!
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/28/survey-a...now-little-religion/ |
The actual results:
http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practic...nowledge-Survey.aspx |
This was unsurprising to me. I know several people who earned masters and PhDs in Religion/ Theology, and every last one of them was a devout atheist.
And it makes perfect sense. We are naturally more willing to critically examine subjects to which we have no emotional attachment. |
The original is a better read. For example, you will see that Hispanic Catholics are at the bottom of the knowledge list, while white Catholics are mid-pack, ahead of Protestants, etc.
Averaged together, well ... The fact that atheists, then Jews are on top of the knowledge list didn't surprise me in the least. |
Why are Jews so knowledgeable? Is it because it's so ingrained in the culture? Just curious. And, how can people be such devout Catholics/Protestants and not know basic things about their religion?? These are people trying to convert others to their religion, but they don't even know details about that religion. |
A long, looooong tradition of questioning and valuing education and scholarship. |
There's a pretty strong correlation to level of education and score on the test, too. I'm wagering that most people who would label themselves atheist have a college degree. |
Because our mothers made us all become doctors and lawyers. |
Also, Jews have a very high average level of education--hence the higher score.
Mormoms have high literacy rates and learn about other religions as part of their missionary culture. |
Don't Catholics have a missionary culture also? Why the ignorance amongst Catholics. |
"And, how can people be such devout Catholics/Protestants and not know basic things about their religion?? These are people trying to convert others to their religion, but they don't even know details about that religion. "
Tee hee. |
Very few Catholics become missionaries, but a huge percentage of Mormon boys and an increasingly large number of Mormon girls become missionaries when they become adults. |
When I ask this, I'm thinking about countries like India. I visited there a few years ago, and there was such a huge Catholic influence. From what I understand that was due to outside influences. |
" Why the ignorance amongst Catholics."
Because the whole point of Catholicism is to listen to the Pope, Bishop, and priest, in that order, rather than thinking critically for oneself. |