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In US, atheists know religion better than believers. Is that bad?
A new study shows that many devout Americans know less about religion than do atheists. <span style="font-weight: bold">To some observers, it suggests a shallowness of faith. To others, it is evidence that Americans know the spirit better than the letter of religion</span>.
. A study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that nearly half of American Catholics didn't know that, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, the sacramental bread and wine literally become Christ’s body and blood.
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Correspondent / September 28, 2010
For a highly religious people, Americans have plenty of room to improve their knowledge of religion, according to a new survey that’s stirring debate about the health of faith in America.
.The US Religious Knowledge Survey, released Tuesday from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, found atheists and agnostics know more basic facts about the Bible than either Protestants or Catholics. Among the other findings:
• 57 percent of Protestants can name the Bible’s four gospels.
• 55 percent of Catholics know their tradition teaches that sacramental bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood.
• 15 percent of white evangelicals know Jonathan Edwards participated in the First Great Awakening.
A new study shows that many devout Americans know less about religion than do atheists. <span style="font-weight: bold">To some observers, it suggests a shallowness of faith. To others, it is evidence that Americans know the spirit better than the letter of religion</span>.
. A study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that nearly half of American Catholics didn't know that, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, the sacramental bread and wine literally become Christ’s body and blood.
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Correspondent / September 28, 2010
For a highly religious people, Americans have plenty of room to improve their knowledge of religion, according to a new survey that’s stirring debate about the health of faith in America.
.The US Religious Knowledge Survey, released Tuesday from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, found atheists and agnostics know more basic facts about the Bible than either Protestants or Catholics. Among the other findings:
• 57 percent of Protestants can name the Bible’s four gospels.
• 55 percent of Catholics know their tradition teaches that sacramental bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood.
• 15 percent of white evangelicals know Jonathan Edwards participated in the First Great Awakening.
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