Sermon On The Blog: Blind Faith

I don't recall Jesus ever saying, "Suffer the pig-ignorant adults to come unto me," do you?

So why are Americans so fact-impaired when it comes to religion? Here are some startling facts, revelations if you will, from Stephen Prothero's new book, Religious Literacy:

Fewer than half of us can identify Genesis as the first book of the Bible

One third know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans endorse the simultaneous teaching of creationism and evolution in public schools.

75 percent of adults mistakenly believe the Bible teaches that "God helps those who help themselves."

More than 10 percent think that Noah's wife was Joan of Arc.

Only half can name even one of the four Gospels.

Thus Endeth Today's Sermon.

Go forth today and reread Shirley Jackson's short story, The Lottery if you want to understand blind faith and pig ignorance. This story wasn't banned by fascist fundie school boards for nothing. Thank goodness, it's online now.

While you're reading it, consider Prothero's thesis: Those who ignore the "chain of memory" do so at their own peril.Tthe "chain of memory" is crucial for informed discourse on any subject, religious or secular.

Read the story and think about it.

I mean it, damn it!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.