Only stories after all

[Gob]

Widespread ignorance exists among children and parents about the contents of the Bible, research has suggested.

Surveys for the Bible Society found almost three in 10 young people were unaware the story of the birth of Jesus came from the Bible.

A similar number of children had never read or heard about tales of the Crucifixion or Adam and Eve.

The report was based on a poll of 800 children aged eight to 15 and about 1,100 parents.

The study revealed a generation of children with little knowledge of the most important stories forming the basis of Christianity, and parents who often knew little more.

Of the children who were questioned, more than a third failed to identify either the Good Samaritan or David and Goliath as Biblical stories.

Many of the parents who responded saw the Bible as a source of good values for their children.

But almost half did not recognise the story of Noah's Ark as coming from the Bible, and many confused Biblical stories with plotlines from well-known films such as Harry Potter.

The Bible Society commissioned the study as part of its Pass It On campaign to encourage parents to give the stories to their children.

The group said the findings were "symptomatic of the fact that many children indicate they have never read, seen or even heard these stories".

In a foreword to the report, Bishop of London Dr Richard Chartres said sharing Bible stories "is as vital now as it has ever been".

"Too few children have the opportunity to hear and reflect on what this life-changing book contains," he said.

"Even those that do when they are young often take its awesome stories for granted when they become adults. There is work to be done."

James Catford, group chief executive of the Bible Society, said: "It's clear that parents want to give their children the best start in life.

"The Bible's contribution to our culture - language, literature, the visual arts and music - is immense. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from.

"The Bible enriches life, and every child should have the opportunity to experience it."

[MajGenl.Meade]

Our life group discussed a similar subject last night. We were speaking of the Biblical ignorance of (British) competitors on old Millionaire shows. I made the comment that my "atheist friends" (not just people here) would have no trouble with the kinds of questions (Who was converted on the road to Damascus - Peter, Moses, Noah or Paul?) because they are informed people and not ignorant stupidbutts.

Guess I don't know any UK atheists.

[Big RR]

I don't think the aim of any religion should be to create good Jeopardy (or Who Wants to be a Millionaire) players; rather it should be to impart values and understanding to everyone. I'd far rather have someone practice understand the meaning behind the parable of the good Samaritan and not know it is in the bible than be able to give me chapter and verse citations but be ignorant to what it teaches.

[Scooter]

My sister taught religion at a Catholic high school, she would give her grade 9 classes a multiple choice assignment on bible knowledge that the kids worked on in groups. She overheard one group discussing the possible answers to the question "In what town did Jesus grow up" only to hear one boy pipe up, "well, it can't be Nazareth, that's the name of a band."

[Gob]

Ah! That takes me back!!



Dan McCafferty, old leather lungs.

[MajGenl.Meade]

I don't think the aim of any religion should be to create good Jeopardy (or Who Wants to be a Millionaire) players; rather it should be to impart values and understanding to everyone. I'd far rather have someone practice understand the meaning behind the parable of the good Samaritan and not know it is in the bible than be able to give me chapter and verse citations but be ignorant to what it teaches.

(sigh) Yes Big RR I don't recall anyone suggesting the purpose of religion is to help quiz players. I'm trying to think of how anyone could know the parable of the Good Samaritan and not know that it is in the Bible - maybe it is the two mentions of some guy named "Jesus" that are a bit of a clue. But you could be right - the quiz mob from the UK probably don't know that Jesus appears somewhere in the Bible. And they've no idea about the parable either. Because they are ignorant. Unlike the atheists I am in contact with. Who do know the parable and understand it.

[Crackpot]

Actually most don't in order for mot englanders to get the parable of the good samaritan you'd have to substitute the Queen the PM and the Archbishop for the first three and a Cornish for the Samaritan. (the least from what I've gleaned from folks around here)

[Lord Jim]

Surveys for the Bible Society found almost three in 10 young people were unaware the story of the birth of Jesus came from the Bible.

A similar number of children had never read or heard about tales of the Crucifixion or Adam and Eve.

Every now and then you see one of these stories showing how mindbogglingly ignorant most people are, (particularly kids) and while on one level it may seem funny, on another it's enormously depressing...

[Econoline]

"well, it can't be Nazareth, that's the name of a band."

Well I guess it can't be Chicago either, then...

(Though there IS a rather substantial Mexican population here now...)

[MajGenl.Meade]

Actually most don't in order for mot englanders to get the parable of the good samaritan you'd have to substitute the Queen the PM and the Archbishop for the first three and a Cornish ginger for the Samaritan. (the least from what I've gleaned from folks around here)

Fixed

[rubato]

"... (Who was converted on the road to Damascus - Peter, Moses, Noah or Paul?) ... "

None of the above. Saul was converted and then later changed his name to Paul.

yrs,
rubato

Nit-picky but you seem to like that.

[MajGenl.Meade]

Good point! I loved it!

[Crackpot]

Actually most don't in order for mot englanders to get the parable of the good samaritan you'd have to substitute the Queen the PM and the Archbishop for the first three and a Cornish ginger for the Samaritan. (the least from what I've gleaned from folks around here)

Fixed

Was listening to an old radio who last weekend and was treated to this:

... But he wouldn't listen to reason; you know how you Cornish are.

[Gob]

ROTFLMFFAO!!

[Crackpot]

and it was said without an ounce of sarcasm or irony.

[dgs49]

How, exactly, are kids supposed to learn Bible stories? Their parents don't go to church, nobody talks about the Bible, it's not on TV, not the basis of any videogames, and schools are forbidden to discuss it. People who believe in the Bible publicly are scorned and ridiculed, and most religious bodies face the public as nothing more than generic charitable organizations who sponsor food banks, clothing drives, and maybe hospitals.

Certainly, for those who seek it out, there is a cornucopia of religious information available, but are kids encouraged to seek it out?

I don't think so.

[Sue U]

How, exactly, are kids supposed to learn Bible stories? Their parents don't go to church, nobody talks about the Bible, it's not on TV, not the basis of any videogames, and schools are forbidden to discuss it.

The Bible Society is a British organization and the survey was conducted in the UK. So your presumptions are, as usual, wrong:

England

Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory subject in the state education system in England. Schools are required to teach a programme of religious studies according to local and national guidelines.

Religious Education in England is mandated by the Education Act 1944 as amended by the Education Reform Act 1988 and the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. It is compulsory in all state-funded schools. The subject consists of the study of different religions, religious leaders, and other religious and moral themes. However, the curriculum is required to reflect the predominant place of Christianity in religious life and hence Christianity forms the majority of the content of the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_ ... on#England

[Gob]

Ah, one qualifier on that Sue, religious education in the UK has been commandeered by the looney left, as have most subjects. Learning about Christianity would come far down the list, behind paganism, Scientology, Druidism, Cheondoism, Jainism and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[oldr_n_wsr]

the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

All Hail his noodely appendages.

[Big RR]

No religious video games? Check this out; it's a wicki article but you can find more information about the games if you google the names.

eta: Sorry, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_video_game