Magazine Poll Reveals Britons’ Ignorance in Religious Knowledge

A poll commissioned by the Reader’s Digest has given further evidence of the weakening religious education in the UK. Ten questions set on basic theological and religious knowledge were presented to British readers. Surprisingly, the magazine said that the average number of correct answers among the 1,001 adults polled was just five out of 10.

As Easter approaches this coming Sunday, Britons were asked why Christians celebrate Easter, yet only 48 percent of adults were aware that the festival marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 42 percent could not name Judas Iscariot as the man who betrayed Jesus and led Jesus to the path of cross of suffering, according to the magazine.

Additionally, just a quarter of Britons recognised the name of Dr Rowan Williams as the Archbishop of Canterbury. 92 percent did not know Pope John Paul II's real name was Karol Wojtyla.

The result of this poll could leave many questions for churches and educators to reflect on deeply, particularly in this nation where 72 percent of the total population have identified themselves as Christian in the last census in 2001.

A recent report from the research project called Biblos, a partnership between Exeter University School of Education and the Bible Society, showed that the religious education curriculum in British schools is programming children with secularist values.

It criticised that in religious education classes in schools, the teachers usually interpret the Bible narratives into moral tales. Education experts are calling for an overhaul in how Christianity is taught.

In fact, not only the British have showed their ignorance in Christian knowledge, but also they are equally ill-informed about the other five major faiths practised in the country. Only 40 percent knew that Halal food was eaten by Muslims. Just 44 percent were correct in saying that the cow is sacred to Hindus while only 41 percent knew that the Dalai Lama is the Buddhists' spiritual leader, the magazine said.

Katherine Walker, Reader's Digest editor-in-chief, quoted by the Guardian said, "Britons have a strong spiritual sense, with a majority expressing a belief in God and an afterlife, but they have little grasp of the basic tenets of Christianity."

"Many people who would profess to be Christian know little more about the faith than they do about other world religions."