reblogged from Religion Sucketh
I read this article earlier this morning but a buddy posted about it with links to the quiz. I am someone who doesn’t keep up with other religions or the history of the church outside of what scripture says. So was shocked that I got 13 out of 15 which was much higher than most of Americans according to this survey…hmm.
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So by now you’ve probably heard about the religious survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, and how, on average, Protestants and Catholics (i.e. CHRISTIANS) scored the lowest. In the 32 question survey, Protestants, on average, answered 16 questions correctly and Catholics, again, on average, answered 14 questions correctly. In contrast, atheists and agnostics averaged 20.9 correct answers while Jews and Mormons do about as well, averaging 20.5 and 20.3 correct answers, respectively. According to their website:
These are among the key findings of the U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey, a nationwide poll conducted from May 19 through June 6, 2010, among 3,412 Americans age 18 and older, on landlines and cell phones, in English and Spanish. Jews, Mormons and atheists/agnostics were oversampled to allow analysis of these relatively small groups.
The Pew Forum has not made the whole survey available for the curious to take, but you can take an abbreviated quiz form of it on their website. Keep in mind, it only contains 15 questions from the original survey (which had 32 questions), but it should give you a decent idea of how well you stack up compared to those who took the full survey.
To take the 15 question quiz, CLICK HERE.
To see the full results and statistics of the survey, CLICK HERE.
When I got this book I was expecting something completely different than what was received. It was a gift book and advertised for graduates and I naturally assumed it would not provide much benefit for me. I was wrong, it shifted focus to identifying what God has given us on an individual basis and how our uniqueness can not only enrich our lives but glorify God by grasping it applying it to our daily lives. This would be a wonderful book for anyone to read but I would agree that it would be a good book to read for any high school or college graduate as well.
I love how Max Lucado shifted all responsibility on us as God’s children and not just another feel good book. Each short chapter, for the most part, focuses on different principals that basically helps you to identify your current state, God’s intended position, and explains how God has given us the provisions we just have to use it. He shows how living a life in such a manner can enrich every aspect of our lives. It was easy to read with a clear spiritual/personal growth message. I love the chapter index at the beginning of the book for a quick reference in those times of needed inspiration. I would not only recommend this book but would have no hesitation of purchasing for a gift.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
[video]
Doing the things I do not want to do
Telling myself no, I am not, all the while I am
Tired, frustrated, fed up I want to explode
I look in the mirror and nausea sets in when I see the stranger within
This internal battle has me on edge
Easily tempered and rage rears its ugly head
Try to swallow nails and smile
I think to speak kindly
But venomous strikes come out
My hearts yearns to apologize
Pride steps in takes my voice away
Distance of mind is between me and God
Blindness is no more, fully seeing its effect
I hear a voice within screaming, “Come to Me”
Life: family, demands, obligations, and hobbies
Drown out the screams within
I bow my head in shame
Hit my pillow saying tomorrow will be a better day
Getting worse day by day
Weight is a feeling within
Quickly sinking, staring at the life saver above
I reach and kick but to no effect
I look and see people all around
Scarred from childhood
Keeps everyone at a distance
Hard to let people in
Loneliness a feeling within
The accuser accuses
Failure is a hard pill to swallow
I want to cuss, scream, and find myself at the bottom of a bottle
Worthless is a feeling from within
Knowing where I need to go
Confused as to why I have not gone
Need to move, nothing stops
Deeper and deeper I go
Starting to fear the point of no return
Doubting my ability to get back
My dilemma is to fight or die
What’s at stake?
Anger builds
Desire to physically take up arms but can’t
It’s spiritual not physical
It’s hard is to release my anger on my knees
It’s hard to serve others
It’s hard staying obedient in society of self indulgence
It’s hard to see what is not seen
It’s hard to hear what is not heard
It’s hard to guard your eyes and ears
It’s hard giving your life up for another
Something stirs within
Won’t let me quit
Grit my teeth, pick myself up
He’s not going out like that
I am not giving up
I am not afraid to take a stand
Put my blindfold on, for eyes lie
Plug my ears, muffling voices of distraction
Suit up
Clear my mind
Listening to the still small voice within
Forward I march
The outreach today went very well. I would like thank EVERYONE who participated whether donations or volunteering Saturday! We were able to supply backpacks to all of the Kingsway residents…