# Atheists know more about religion (Pew)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [September 28, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364 "2010-09-28T16:31:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/1 "2010-09-28T16:31:44Z")
[Agnostics, too](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-religion-survey-20100928,0,3225238.story). The idea seems to be that after being forced to know about all this stuff, they react negatively, and reject the whole thing.
This is what I found most amusing:
[QUOTE=L.A. Times]
A majority of Protestants, for instance, couldn’t identify Martin Luther as the driving force behind the Protestant Reformation..
[/QUOTE]
That doesn’t surprise me. However, with my Catholic parents, it’s a different different story: “That Martin Luther! Don’t get me started on that uppity, holier-than-thou Martin Luther!” as my mom always says.
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### Author:  [@shorin-ryu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shorin-ryu)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/2 "2010-09-28T16:55:03Z")
The quiz is here: [U.S. Religious Knowledge Quiz | Pew Research Center](http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/). I took it but it took a few tries because it kept timing out. I’m an atheist, and I got 15 out 15 correct, FWIW.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/3 "2010-09-28T17:09:11Z")
The part that surprises me is that evangelicals did better than Catholics. My personal experience has led me to conclude that Catholics were better prepared to engage in theological disputes than protestants.
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### Author:  [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/4 "2010-09-28T17:09:27Z")
Christian, and also 15/15. I enjoy studying all religions, though.
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### Author:  [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/5 "2010-09-28T17:17:29Z")
I’m greatly entertained that Jews scored slightly better on the whole than even atheists/agnostics. Judaism is about the only religion I would want to join, and that’s a good illustration why.
I only got 13 out of 15. Missed the question about the Sabbath (the Jews would reject me anyway :D) and the First Great Awakening. In my defense, I don’t actually care.
It does concern me that verrrry few people get the “Bible as literature” question wrong, though. Even Jews and a-types only got 40% on it.
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### Author:  [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/6 "2010-09-28T17:25:07Z")
Atheist. Perfect score. I found the quiz to be disappointingly easy. As basic as it gets.
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### Author:  [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/7 "2010-09-28T17:28:11Z")
Only 11% got the Great Awakening" question right. That’s below random chance.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/8 "2010-09-28T17:42:20Z")
> [@Bosstone](#):
>
> I only got 13 out of 15. Missed the question about the Sabbath (the Jews would reject me anyway :D) and the First Great Awakening. In my defense, I don’t actually care.
I missed the Sabbath question, too. Saturday is involved somehow, right?
But in my secular household, The Great Awakening comes up surprisingly often.
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### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/9 "2010-09-28T17:47:49Z")
Well, I only got 11. But for me this is surprisingly good. I suck at these categories on Jeopardy.
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### Author:  [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/10 "2010-09-28T17:52:33Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#):
>
> …I found the quiz to be disappointingly easy. As basic as it gets…
“What was Mother Teresa’s religion?”…:rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/11 "2010-09-28T17:55:36Z")
I got 15/15 and I’m a Christian (white mainline Protestant fwiw).
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### Author:  [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/12 "2010-09-28T17:58:53Z")
> [@Johnny\_Angel](#):
>
> > [@Bosstone](#):
> >
> > I only got 13 out of 15. Missed the question about the Sabbath (the Jews would reject me anyway :D) and the First Great Awakening. In my defense, I don’t actually care.
>
> I missed the Sabbath question, too. Saturday is involved somehow, right?
>
> But in my secular household, The Great Awakening comes up surprisingly often.
Saturday, yes, but the “days” in Jewish tradition are measured from sunset to sunset, so the Sabbath actually starts at sundown on friday and ends at sundown on saturday.
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### Author:  [@Alienhand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alienhand)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/13 "2010-09-28T18:02:15Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#):
>
> Only 11% got the Great Awakening" question right. That’s below random chance.
[50%](http://pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Belief_and_Practices/religious-knowledge-topline.pdf)(q 63) said don’t know despite “don’t know” [not being a given option](http://pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Belief_and_Practices/religious-knowledge-questionnaire.pdf) (28% B.Graham, 10% Finney). Seems that most people never really heard of them and those that answered went with the currently best known of the three. (links are pdfs)
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### Author:  [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/14 "2010-09-28T18:10:12Z")
> [@Bosstone](#):
>
> I’m greatly entertained that Jews scored slightly better on the whole than even atheists/agnostics. Judaism is about the only religion I would want to join, and that’s a good illustration why.
>
> I only got 13 out of 15. Missed the question about the Sabbath (the Jews would reject me anyway :D)
You might be surprised. They took me, after all.
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### Author:  [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/15 "2010-09-28T18:12:19Z")
If you’re interested, but too lazy to dig up the [full report](http://pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Belief_and_Practices/religious-knowledge-full-report.pdf) (pdf), here is the complete list of 32 questions:
> [@](#):
>
> _ **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?
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### Author:  [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/16 "2010-09-28T18:12:25Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#):
>
> > [@Johnny\_Angel](#):
> >
> > I missed the Sabbath question, too. Saturday is involved somehow, right?
> >
> > But in my secular household, The Great Awakening comes up surprisingly often.
>
> Saturday, yes, but the “days” in Jewish tradition are measured from sunset to sunset, so the Sabbath actually starts at sundown on friday and ends at sundown on saturday.
I actually did know that, but I had a brainfart and defaulted to “The Sabbath is on Saturday.”
---
### Author:  [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/17 "2010-09-28T18:16:43Z")
> [@BetsQ](#):
>
> If you’re interested, but too lazy to dig up the [full report](http://pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Belief_and_Practices/religious-knowledge-full-report.pdf) (pdf), here is the complete list of 32 questions:
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > _ **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?
Thanks. I still knew 100% of the answers, and still think the whole thing is disappointingly easy.
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### Author:  [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/18 "2010-09-28T18:17:33Z")
> [@Johnny\_Angel](#):
>
> > [@Bosstone](#):
> >
> > I only got 13 out of 15. Missed the question about the Sabbath (the Jews would reject me anyway :D) and the First Great Awakening. In my defense, I don’t actually care.
>
> I missed the Sabbath question, too. Saturday is involved somehow, right?
That’s a tricky one. Services are on Saturday, but the sabbath begins Friday at sundown.
15/15 for me too.
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### Author:  [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/19 "2010-09-28T18:23:14Z")
I’m reading the survey methodology section of the full report. They got a 17.2% response rate. That’s dismal. Anyone care to speculate about that? Why didn’t people want to answer these questions? Are we seeing any selection bias in the results?
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### Author:  [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-know-more-about-religion-pew/555364/20 "2010-09-28T18:27:36Z")
15/15 but it was a 50/50 guess on one of them. Most were pretty easy but I would have missed some without the religious training I had in my youth.
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