America’s atheists and agnostics scored higher on a religious knowledge survey than evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants, and Catholics, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. They scored highest on questions about religion in public life and what the Constitution says about religion, and second only to Jews on knowledge of the world’s religions.
Not surprisingly, level of education was found to be the most important determining factor, but after controlling for education and demographic factors (like gender, race, and age), atheists/agnostics, Jews, and Mormons still scored the highest overall. For interested readers, the detailed, multipage report contains numerous other breakdowns, charts, sample questions, etc.
Atheists/agnostics are sometimes called “America’s most despised minority” and scorned for being godless and immoral. For those behind such accusations, this report should come as a good rap on the knuckles. Assuming they read it, of course. And atheists, understandably, might be feeling a bit smug about the whole thing.
I was so tempted to go off on a rant when I first heard about this. As a non-religious person who also happens to be of mixed heritage, the only thing that surprised me about this news was how surprised the media seemed to be that oppressed people are well informed about their oppressors. Also, it doesn’t surprise me at all that people who feel they already “know” all they need to know don’t trouble themselves with actual learning.
I was tempted too, but I’ve found it’s better for me to just try to let it go. Sanctimonious narrow-minded people won’t listen, and educated, open-minded people don’t need to.
I AM NOT SURPRISED BY THIS AT ALL…I SUPPOSE I HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT ORGANISED RELIGION SUPRESSES QUESTIONSKNOWLEDGE OR KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER BELIEFS. PERHAPS THAT IS A BIT BIAS ON MY PART, DUE TO THE FACT I HAVE QUESTIONED PRIESTS AND OTHERS OF THE CLERGY (EVEN WHEN I WAS IN INSTRUCTION OF, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIME FOR QUESTIONS)
I NOW CONSIDER MYSELF A DEVOUT AGNOSTIC… I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND THE ANSWERS, BUT HAVE NOT GIVEN UP.
A GREAT READ!
I considered myself an agnostic most of my life, but recently was convinced that I am, in fact, an “atheist by default” (see my post of the same title).