Who knows more about faith, an atheist or a disciple ? The answer may surprise you. Maybe not.

First, the ridiculous headline and story:

Americans fail basic religion test; atheists score high

Not entirely surprised by this one, except for Catholics not understanding transubstantiation. I mean, you hear it in every mass. Should be hard to miss. At any rate, this once again proves that atheists and agnostics know more about religion than many proponents of those religions. Know-it-alls (again, these brief comments are not ours - jds).

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Editor's notes: Taking the overall test results, the godless among us, bless their disbelieving hearts, are making the claim that they know more about religion that do the very religious.

The storyline in the Dallas Morning News includes these words:

If you have a factual question about religion, you might want to ask an atheist. A new survey of Americans shows that atheists and agnostics rank with Jews and Mormons as the top-performing groups in religious knowledge.

So, how did this happen? Atheists and agnostic scoring higher than Christians proving, of course, just how stupid rightwing religious nuts really are.

Nonsense. Here are the actual questions.

Pew Forum Religious Knowledge Questions

Questions below have been paraphrased for brevity; most response options were rotated. See topline survey results (Appendix B) for exact wording and question order.

Note: to enlarge print, hold down "ctrl" and tap the "+" key.

Bible
What is the first book of the Bible? (Open-ended)
What are the names of the first four books of the New Testament, that is, the four Gospels? (Open-ended)
Where, according to the Bible, was Jesus born? Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth or Jericho?
Which of these is NOT in the Ten Commandments? Do unto others…, no adultery, no stealing, keep Sabbath?
Which figure is associated with remaining obedient to God despite suffering? Job, Elijah, Moses or Abraham?
Which figure is associated with leading the exodus from Egypt? Moses, Job, Elijah or Abraham?
Which figure is associated with willingness to sacrifice his son for God? Abraham, Job, Moses or Elijah?

Elements of Christianity
What is Catholic teaching about bread and wine in Communion? They become body and blood, or are symbols?
Which group traditionally teaches that salvation is through faith alone? Protestants, Catholics, both or neither?
Was Mother Teresa Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu or Mormon?
What is the name of the person whose writings and actions inspired the Reformation? Luther, Aquinas or Wesley?
Who was a preacher during the First Great Awakening? Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney or Billy Graham?

Elements of Judaism
When does the Jewish Sabbath begin? Friday, Saturday or Sunday?
Was Maimonides Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu or Mormon?

Elements of Mormonism
When was the Mormon religion founded? After 1800, between 1200 and 1800, or before 1200 A.D.?
The Book of Mormon tells of Jesus appearing to people in what area? The Americas, Middle East or Asia?
Was Joseph Smith Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist or Hindu?

World Religions
Is Ramadan the Islamic holy month, the Hindu festival of lights or a Jewish day of atonement?
Do you happen to know the name of the holy book of Islam? (Open-ended)
Which religion aims at nirvana, the state of being free from suffering? Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam?
Is the Dalai Lama Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Catholic or Mormon?
In which religion are Vishnu and Shiva central figures? Hinduism, Islam or Taoism?
What is the religion of most people in India? Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or Christian?
What is the religion of most people in Pakistan? Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian?
What is the religion of most people in Indonesia? Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian?
Who is the king of Gods in Greek mythology? Zeus, Mars or Apollo?

Atheism and Agnosticism
Is an atheist someone who does NOT believe in God, believes in God, or is unsure whether God exists?
Is an agnostic someone who is unsure whether God exists, does NOT believe in God, or believes in God?

Religion in Public Life
What does Constitution say about religion? Separation of church and state, emphasize Christianity, or nothing?
According to the Supreme Court, can a public school teacher lead a class in prayer?
According to the Supreme Court, can a public school teacher read from the Bible as an example of literature?
According to the Supreme Court, can a public school teacher offer a class comparing the world’s religions?

More notes from the editor: allow this editor to ask a few questions of his own (he has a point in mind).
1. What is the significance of Christ being Son of God and Son of Man ?
2. Why the virgin birth?
3. Is the positioning of a disciple one of law or one of relationships?
4. Explain your answer to #2.
5. Which Old Testament figure is described as our father in faith?
6. Did he live by faith in ALL of life's business?
7. Who is the "first man Adam"?
8. Who is the "second man Adam"?
9. Is "father God" a doctrine of the Old Testament?
10. What is the meaning of "atonement?"
11. Is Christ the "king of the Jews" or the "King of the world?"
12. Did Christ expect people to follow the rules of the Sermon on the Mount?
13. Which mediates salvation, the Church or the living Christ?
14. Name three notable differences between the American, Jonathan Edwards' theology and that of the . . . . ........European, Karl Barth.
15. True or false: Joseph Smith died in a gunfight with angry "locals."
16. True or false: Christ died in a fight with angry Jews.
17. True or false: atheists believe in the eternity of matter and motion.
18. True or false: the "big bang theory" is a scientific fact.
19. True or false: Man supposed descended from lung fish.
20. True or false: evolution has no explanation, biologically speaking, for the existence of a "conscience."
21. True or false: there is proof of evolution in species larger than one centimeter.

We could go on. The point being this --- anybody can draft a "test" that makes a specific point. Our questionaire might prove that only Barthian students know what is going on in matters religious.

Silliness.

The Christian faith is not about the quantification of knowledge. It is about the development of a relationship with God. How much knowledge does a two year child have of her parents comings and goings? Does THAT have anything to do with the child being a person in full relationship with her parents ?

Again, the secular questionnaire is so much silliness. End of story.