Religious Illiteracy

[atalanta]

Does anyone here care ?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/its-no-laughing-matter-britain-has-become-a-nation-of-religious-illiterates-who-are-baffled-by-biblical-references-in-monty-python-film-the-life-of-brian-8890338.html

It's fine by me

[woofgang]

not really, I think that Maths and spelling and good manners are more important.

[Milvus]

Do you mean someone who spells Bible, bobble?

[jno]

this was asked the other day

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1284507.html

I don't think there was really an answer, just the usual name-calling.

[jomifl]

Just as believers have faith in their holy books and are confident that the writings therein have more truth than any information gained by astonishingly insightful intellects who have devoted their lives to understanding the universe, what is written (often contradictary)in their holy books takes second place to their ultimate faith in their chosen(?) deity. It therefore follows that what is written in the holy books is equally secondary to their faith and thus irrelevant.

[naomi24]

I care - because I don't think people are baffled by biblical references as much as they are misled by the people they listen to. For example, I vividly recall a Christian here with an updated message at Christmas time talking about looking for Jesus in a garage. She clearly didn't know that when the wise men sought the infant Jesus, they eventually discovered him in a house - not in a stable - and if she understood that, it's possible she wouldn't place quite so much 'faith' in those who are misleading her.

[beso]

It is important to understand Python humor so I guess we had better increase religious literacy.

I was amused by the line:

"Ahmed also claimed that a key reason that Islam is not the subject of more humorous discussion is that the life of the Prophet Muhammad is poorly understood by large sections of the British public."

Of course it is othing to do with the threat of death for even portraying Muhummed let alone making a joke.

I do agree with this:
"Ahmed claimed that a basic understanding of the major faiths was important so the public have a grasp of contemporary issues."

The culture of violence inherent in the Abrahamic faiths is concealed unless one is aware of the foundational texts. I actually support religious education in schools but it needs to be factual and expose the truth about these faiths instead of the sugar coated versions promoted by the religious.

[birdie1971]

As Beso points out, it's interesting that religious education in this country air-brushes out the monstrous barbarity of the three major Abrahamic texts. I attended a Christian school and did compulsory RE and at no point in five years worth of lessons was Biblical genocide even mentioned let alone discussed.

I, like many others, care greatly that the truth about these religions be taught and taught widely. Only by informing people of the true content of these books can people make an informed decision as to which – if any – they deem worthy of their respect.

[mikey4444]

I think that it is important to understand religion well enough to know when you are being conned....know they enemy !

[Old_Geezer]

Non issue. Myths & legends can be interesting but hardly has the importance of maths or science, or even literacy. Granted there may be wisdom on morality and/or life, but this can be obtained elsewhere.

[jake-the-peg]

Such religious education is generally usefull but it's a smokescreen to the real issue.

The real issue is the statutory requirements for a daily act of collective worship in schools.

http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/schoolethos/a0064979/collective-worship

I know that pupils can withdraw or be withdrawn but it sets the default, the norm and it places teachers under an obligation that many do not want to bear

I think it is also widely flouted when Ofsted inspectors are not there

[beso]

OG //Granted there may be wisdom on morality and/or life, but this can be obtained elsewhere.//

That is the greatest myth of all. The supposed wisdom of the foundational texts of the Abrahamic faiths is largely the codifying of the worst of human prejudices and bigotry. They are focused on blood and killing with large parts dedicated to the idea that a god will assist in destroying one's enemies if one simply devotes oneself entirely to the faith.

These beliefs are very sick indeed and this fact desperately needs to be exposed to all. No sane person could continue to devote their live to these faiths if they actually appreciated what they are about.

[goodlife]

Six out of ten people in England today do not have even a passing knowledge of the Bible, stated Tom Houston, an executive of England’s Bible Society. Referring to the recent findings of a nationwide Gallup survey, he continued: ‘Half the population do not know the content of even the Gospels, let alone the Old Testament.’ Of those under the age of 25, one out of three have never read the Bible!

Take some parts of the Solomon Islands, up to 80 percent of those who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses have had to struggle with illiteracy. This has not only limited their participation at weekly congregation meetings but also made it more difficult for them to teach Kingdom truths to others. Is it really possible for adults who have never even held a pencil to become literate?

[Old_Geezer]

You probably need to stay away from the OT, beso.

[sandyRoe]

Leaving aside any religious consideration, people who had no knowledge of the bible would not be able to take as much from literature as they otherwise might.

[doctordb]

I think it is just another example of western religion very,very slowly fading toward it's inevitable demise.

[sandyRoe]

But if Christianity in Europe is effete and on its last legs will a more vigorous religion Islam, take its place?

[beso]

Old_Geezer //You probably need to stay away from the OT, beso.//

The OT is decreed to be the word of God. Jesus Himself said so. The OT is still foundational to all Abrahamic religions.

Without it Creation has no basis. The objections to homosexuality are lost. So much of what many Christians still hold as central to their beliefs fails.

Take away the OT and he NT becomes suspect sine it is the prophecies of the OT that "validate" the NT.

Maybe it is all a load of cr@p.

[jim360]

Quite a few crosswords use Bible references. Would be a shame if someone couldn't complete them for want of knowing that David wrote most of the Psalms...

[doctordb]

I don't think so Sandy. Worryingly, it seems to me that so many people are turning to nonsense like reiki, quantum healing, chi gung etc to fill their supposed spiritual void.

[birdie1971]

Goodlife - “... Take some parts of the Solomon Islands, up to 80 percent of those who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses have had to struggle with illiteracy... [this] made it more difficult for them to teach Kingdom truths to others...”

“Kingdom truths”? Don't make me laugh. You're definition of the word “truth” clearly differs from mine and a great many other people on this planet.