Most Americans Fail These 12 Religious Questions – Can You Get Them Right?
Do you think you know a lot about Christianity and religion? Well, an extensive survey by the Pew Research Center says you might be wrong.
They asked almost 11,000 adults in the U.S. about religion, and it turns out that many people struggled with some pretty basic questions. Let’s break it down and check out twelve questions that puzzled most people. Can you answer these questions right?
1. Which Biblical Figure Is Known for Saving Jews by Appealing to the King?
71% of the Americans who were asked this question during the survey got it wrong. 29% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was “Esther,” which is correct.
“Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” Esther 7:3–4
2. What Best Describes the Teaching of the Prosperity Gospel?
78% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 22% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was, “Those of strong faith will be blessed by God with financial success and good health,” which is correct.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
3. What Is the Religion of Most People in Ethiopia?
81% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 19% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was “Christianity,” which is correct.
“Although scarcely known by Westerners, the Ethiopian church offers one of the most heroic success stories in Christianity.” – Philip Jenkins
4. What Is the Catholic Teaching on Communion Bread and Wine?
66% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 34% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was, “They actually become the body and blood of Jesus,” which is correct.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:26-28
5. Which Tradition Teaches That Salvation Comes Through Faith Alone?
80% of the Americans that were asked this question got it wrong. 20% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was “Protestantism,” which is correct.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
6. According to the Gospels Who Delivered the Sermon on the Mount?
49% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 51% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was “Jesus,” which is correct.
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2
7. In the Catholic Tradition What Is Purgatory?
46% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 54% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was, “When the souls of those who have died undergo purification before entering heaven,” which is correct.
“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-14
8. Where Did Jesus Live in His Youth According to the Bible?
44% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 56% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was, “Nazareth,” which is correct.
“When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.” Luke 2:39-40
9. Which Is Not One of the Ten Commandments?
42% of the Americans that were asked this question got it wrong. 58% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” which is correct.
“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.” Mark 10:19
10. What Is an Agnostic?
39% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 61% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was, “Is unsure whether God exists,” which is correct.
“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[a] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18
11. What Does the U.S. Constitution Say About Religion as It Relates to Federal Officeholders?
73% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 27% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was, “No religious test shall be necessary for holding office,” which is correct.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1
12. Which Bible Figure Is Most Closely Associated with Willingness to Sacrifice His Son in Obedience to God?
31% of the Americans who were asked this question got it wrong. 69% of Americans who responded to this question from the survey said that the answer was “Abraham,” which is correct.
“Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:2
Oops! These 10 Popular Bible Verses Don’t Mean What You Think
The Bible is full of inspirational verses that can encourage us, lift us up, and remind us of God’s goodness.
Yet, just because a verse sounds encouraging doesn’t mean that’s the way the original author meant his or her words to be understood.
Here are 10 popular Bible verses people love to take out of context, completely distorting their original meaning in the process.
Oops! These 10 Popular Bible Verses Don’t Mean What You Think
Are You Guilty of Believing Any of These 10 Common Bible Misconceptions?
Of all the books in history, the Holy Bible is among the most available and most translated. For a text this ancient and common, it is surprising to realize that there is a lot of faulty thinking surrounding it.
Even lifelong Christians can be told one way of viewing Scripture and cling to that belief without realizing that it is tradition or cultural rather than truly Biblical.
Here are 10 common misconceptions about the Bible way too many people believe that can create confusion and withhold a deeper enjoyment and trust in God’s Word.
Are You Guilty of Believing Any of These 10 Common Bible Misconceptions?
10 Commonly Accepted “Biblical” Truths You Won’t Find Anywhere in the Bible
Want even more Bible misconceptions? There are tons of them out there!
From Eve and the apple to Jonah and the whale, you might just be surprised to find out the Bible doesn’t include the details you think it does!
10 Commonly Accepted “Biblical” Truths You Won’t Find Anywhere in the Bible
10 “Sins” the Bible Never Actually Prohibits
If you grew up in a conservative Christian household (like I did!), you may have learned that some actions weren’t appropriate for Christians.
For example, I was definitely taught that “you don’t smoke, drink, cuss, gamble, or spend time with those who do.”
Imagine my surprise, then, when — as an adult — I learned that not all Christians find all of these actions (or others) wrong in the slightest!
No matter your personal preference (and I still prefer not to do most of these things myself), here are 7 things the Bible never actually prohibits as sin.
10 “Sins” the Bible Never Actually Prohibits
The 10 Most Confusing Things Jesus Ever Said or Did
Think Jesus is always polite, meek, and mild-mannered? Think again.
While we know that Jesus is perfect love in human form, he did say many things that are hard for us (as humans with limited understanding) to wrap our heads around.
I hope, that when we get to Heaven, we’ll be able to ask him, “What did you mean by that??” but in the meantime, here are 10 questionable things Jesus said or did that still cause us to scratch our heads in confusion two thousand years later.
