Flunking Faith?

New York Times writer, Laurie Goodstein, reports today that researchers from the independent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life phoned more than 3,400 Americans and asked them 32 questions about the Bible, Christianity and other world religions, famous religious figures and the constitutional principles governing religion in public life.

On average, people who took the survey answered half the questions incorrectly, and many flubbed even questions about their own faith.

Those who scored the highest were atheists and agnostics, as well as two religious minorities: Jews and Mormons. The results were the same even after the researchers controlled for factors like age and racial differences.

“Even after all these other factors, including education, are taken into account, atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons still outperform all the other religious groups in our survey,” said Greg Smith, a senior researcher at Pew.

That finding might surprise some, but not Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, an advocacy group for nonbelievers that was founded by Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

“I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people,” Mr. Silverman said. “Atheism is an effect of that knowledge, not a lack of knowledge. I gave a Bible to my daughter. That’s how you make atheists.”

Among the topics covered in the survey were: Where was Jesus born? What is Ramadan? Whose writings inspired the Protestant Reformation? Which Biblical figure led the exodus from Egypt? What religion is the Dalai Lama? Joseph Smith? Mother Teresa? In most cases, the format was multiple choice.

The researchers said that the questionnaire was designed to represent a breadth of knowledge about religion, but was not intended to be regarded as a list of the most essential facts about the subject. Most of the questions were easy, but a few were difficult enough to discern which respondents were highly knowledgeable.

On questions about the Bible and Christianity, the groups that answered the most right were Mormons and white evangelical Protestants.

On questions about world religions, like Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism, the groups that did the best were atheists, agnostics and Jews.

One finding that may grab the attention of policy makers is that most Americans wrongly believe that anything having to do with religion is prohibited in public schools.

An overwhelming 89 percent of respondents, asked whether public school teachers are permitted to lead a class in prayer, correctly answered no.

But fewer than one of four knew that a public school teacher is permitted “to read from the Bible as an example of literature.” And only about one third knew that a public school teacher is permitted to offer a class comparing the world’s religions.

The survey’s authors concluded that there was “widespread confusion” about “the line between teaching and preaching.”

Mr. Smith said the survey appeared to be the first comprehensive effort at assessing the basic religious knowledge of Americans, so it is impossible to tell whether they are more or less informed than in the past.

The phone interviews were conducted in English and Spanish in May and June. There were not enough Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu respondents to say how those groups ranked.

Clergy members who are concerned that their congregants know little about the essentials of their own faith will no doubt be appalled by some of these findings:

· Fifty-three percent of Protestants could not identify Martin Luther as the man who started the Protestant Reformation.

· Forty-five percent of Catholics did not know that their church teaches that the consecrated bread and wine in holy communion are not merely symbols, but actually become the body and blood of Christ.

· Forty-three percent of Jews did not know that Maimonides, one of the foremost rabbinical authorities and philosophers, was Jewish.

The question about Maimonides was the one that the fewest people answered correctly. But 51 percent knew that Joseph Smith was Mormon, and 82 percent knew that Mother Teresa was Roman Catholic.

INTERACTIVE: Would you like to test your knowledge of faith and religion? Try answering a few of the questions in the survey presented by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Go to: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/28/us/religion-quiz.html?ref=us
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Surprisingly, Everyone is in One Hundred Percent Agreement!

Over the past nine months, readers participated in a poll that is based upon a real-life story: A shopkeeper has for many months now, been finding a homeless man sleeping on the front stoop when opening at 5:30am. Cordially, he offers the man a cup of coffee, and then the use of the bathroom. But he laments, “I can’t keep doing this every morning.” What would you do?

Surprisingly, there was no disagreement between any of the respondents!

None would, “Tell the man to quit sleeping there.”

Also, none would, “Tell the man, ‘I have limits – I can’t keep doing this every morning.’”

Amazingly, one hundred percent of those polled would, “Continue to help the man for as long as he keeps showing up.”

Thank you for participating in the survey. Please scroll down to near the bottom of this main page and vote in all the polls. Your opinion counts!
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A Day with the Homeless in Pictures

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Here is Someone that has Charity and Snow Removal all Figured Out!

Posted by a Spokane, WA, blogger, September 21, 2010 in response to Spokesman-Review writer, Mike Prager’s article, “Coming Winter Could Justify Snowblower Buy.”

"[Mr. Prager], every year, my bleeding-heart liberal do-gooder neighbor will always use HIS snow blower and HIS gasoline to clear off my sidewalk and driveway, if I appear to be disabled. Once I forgot, and he looked at me kind of strange. Luckily, hubby is disabled so we have that base covered.

"If you are a fellow Tea Party Member, Republican or Conservative, I recommend you do the same as me. Here's why:

1. No liberal do-gooder will pass up the opportunity to help you. It's what makes them liberals.
2. You could hurt yourself if you do it yourself.
3. By making them use their gasoline money, you are making sure they have that much less money to spend on liberal causes.
4. You will make them too tired for liberal activism.
5. It's fun.

"Let it snow!!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!"
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Backpack Angels

Florida Catholic writer Bob Reddy, reports from North Port, the plight of homeless teens and their struggle to fit in at a local high school and how seven Catholic women decided put into action the words they learned from Jesus at Mass, “to help their fellow human beings.”

“Something just clicked when we read about 35 homeless students attending North Port High School,” said Cheryl Doyle, co-founder of the North Port Coalition for Homeless Students, more commonly known in the tight-knit community as “Backpack Angels.” “Our mission is to ensure that these kids are able to stay in school.”

“There are in fact approximately 200 students attending school in North Port who are considered homeless. The students range in age from 6 to 18 and are homeless for a variety of reasons: home foreclosure, parents in jail, runaways and many more reasons. Some live with relatives, and some live alone in the woods or in cars. Some live with friends temporarily,” Doyle said. “We learned that they want to go to school, but without basic personal hygiene supplies they are too embarrassed to go to school. We asked how we can help and came up with the idea of filling backpacks with the needed supplies.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice said the “Backpack Angels” serve as examples of what Jesus taught about the need to help your fellow human beings. “This is an inspirational story of people learning about a problem and doing something about it. We should all look at what is happening in our own communities and decide to make a difference like this group.”

The “Backpack Angels” first solicited donations from their fellow parishioners, and it has grown from there, Doyle explained.

Cash donations are accepted and used to purchase food vouchers and bus passes. Other money goes to purchase bicycles for the students to use and get to school or work as well.

Anyone wishing to donate supplies and to learn more about the North Port Coalition for Homeless Students can e-mail Cheryl Doyle at cheryldoyle@aol.com. Mail checks to: North Port Coalition for Homeless Children, P.O. Box 6826, North Port, FL 34290.
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Top 10 Excuses Why People Don't Help The Homeless

1) It's not my responsibility. Luke 10:30-37: In answering a question about loving your neighbor, it was asked, 'Who is my neighbor?' Jesus gave the story about the Samaritan man helping a wounded man. Jesus said, "Go and do likewise".

2) I have problems of my own. Matt. 10:8: Luke 6:38 The Bible says "Freely you have received, freely give." Also, "Give and it shall be given unto you."

3) We have programs for them.1 John 3:17: "This is how we know what love is…if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"

4) They are lazy and deserve to be there. James 4:12 , Matt. 9:12-13, Col. 3:12: There is only one lawgiver and judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge your neighbor?

5) We have others in our church that do it for us. Proverbs - 3:28, 19:17, 21:13, 22:9: Do not say to your neighbor, "Go and come back, and tomorrow I will give it," when you have it with you." "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord." "He will reward him for what he has done."

6) If you give to beggars, you will get more beggars. Matt. 4: 23-25, Acts 10:38: Jesus attracted crowds of poor, sick and desperate people, and He did not turn any away.

7) We are setting a bad example if we give in to their needs. John 13:15, 1 Peter 2:21: "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." Jesus was our example in service, suffering and giving.

8) The Bible says "You don't work – you don't eat." Matt. 14:13-20: Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and multiplied fishes and loaves to feed them.

9) I didn't know there was a need. Acts 17:30: There was a time when God overlooked ignorance, but now God holds us accountable to what we know.

10) I don't know how to help. James 1:3, Luke 11:9: Ask for wisdom, ask for the Holy Spirit.

Submitted by an UrbanMinistry Blogger on Friday, April 24, 2009, http://www.urbanministry.org/bloggers

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It's a True Story!

Today, a new homeless polls is launched. It's a true story! Tell us what you think . . .

Your Church has helped a homeless dad and his children with 1,000s of dollars in cash aid. However, the father refuses to participate in case management and job search monitoring. Would you still continue to support him with more financial help?

Scroll down to the near the bottom and vote in this and all the polls. Your opinion counts!
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The Freedom of Slavery

Slavery to Christ is paradoxically, the way the oppressed are set free. Whatever chains bind us - addictions, poverty and emptiness – Christ breaks our bonds by his own poverty, death and resurrection.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58:6-7

Jesus Christ is the true liberator. To him we pray:

R Free your people, Lord.

For those who are trapped in homelessness, hunger, cold, thirst and nakedness, we pray: R

For those who are hated, marginalized and oppressed because of their own brokenness, we pray:

For those who are unjustly treated because of their race and color, we pray: R

For those liberators who bring release to the captive, lost and the lonely, we pray: R

“So if the Son has set your free, you are free indeed.” John 8:36

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Church: Majority say, “We actively serve the poor.”

About nine months ago, a poll was launched here at HIA to inquire about peoples’ perception of how the poor are being served within the context of their local church. The following question was surveyed: “On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your home church and the people's ability to directly reach out and serve the poor and homeless.” Here is how our bloggers responded . . .

* Some of our people are out there doing works of mercy. (34%)

* We're doing works of mercy and write some checks to help the poor. (13%)

* We actively serve the poor, launch fundraisers and donate lots of money. (53%)

Thank you for participating in the poll. Please scroll down to near the bottom of this main page and participate in all the survey questions.
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A Message from Famous Amos

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy
and destroy the poor of the land!
"When will the new moon be over," you ask,
"that we may sell our grain,
and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?
We will diminish the ephah,
add to the shekel,
and fix our scales for cheating!
We will buy the lowly for silver,
and the poor for a pair of sandals;
even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"
The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Never will I forget a thing they have done! Amos 8:4-7
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He Freed them from Worthlessness and Abandonment

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. 1 Corinthians 9:19

Peter Claver, who’s memorial we celebrated yesterday was born in Spain in 1580. With the guidance of Saint Alphonsus, Peter answered God’s call upon his life, received ordination and went to the mission field of Columbia, South America. There, until his death on September 8, 1634, Peter gave relentless compassion, kindness and mercy to the African slaves.

God sent Peter Claver as a light of hope in the midst of dark despair in order to address the wordless pleas of slaves in horrible distress. Although he could not free them from captivity, he freed them from a sense of worthlessness and abandonment through his tireless love and healing presence of Christ.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2

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Who Does Jesus Call to Preach Today?

Please take a moment a participate in a new poll. Scroll down to near the bottom of this main page and share your opinion . . .

In the "old days," when Jesus first walked the hot, dusty roads of ancient Israel, he chose prostitutes, a midget, fishermen, homeless disciples, tax collectors and an accomplice in murder to preach the Gospel. Today’s preachers are selected for intelligence, degrees, a balanced MMPI psychological profile and demonstrated success. In your opinion, why is this so?

* Jesus’ selection method is obsolete today.
* Liability insurance companies will not support the old strategy.
* Over the centuries, the church may have lost sight of who Jesus calls.
* All the above.
* None of the above.

Your opinion counts! Thank you for participating in all the HIA polls.
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The Only Safe Rule . . . Give More Than We Can Spare!

By C.S. Lewis

Some people nowadays say that charity ought to be unnecessary and that instead of giving to the poor we ought to be producing a society in which there were no poor to give to. They may be quite right in saying that we ought to produce this kind of society. But if anyone thinks that, as a consequence, you can stop giving in the meantime, then he has parted company with all Christian morality.

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words,' if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small.

For many of us the great obstacle to charity lies not in our luxurious living or desire for more money, but in our fear--fear of insecurity. This must often be recognized as a temptation.

Sometimes our pride also hinders our charity; we are tempted to spend more than we ought on the showy forms of generosity (tipping, hospitality) and less than we ought on those who really need our help. [Excerpt from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis]
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Homeless Feet

A Poem By Patricia Montesano

I’ve walked through trash and dirt and sorrow
Wandered through nowhere towards tomorrow
My feet are hurting, cracked and sore
My home is the street, the pavement my floor
I don’t recall how homeless began
I don’t remember from what I ran
But I do recall the constant pain
of cold and hunger, rejection and rain

I remember my mother tickling my toes
singing me songs and wiping my nose
smiling at me in her warm embrace
and cheering me on in the first-grade race

Those same feet now slowly shuffle along
from days of endurance through nights that are long
to mornings of hope glimmering through
as I wander again in old worn-out shoes
My socks get embedded into my feet
from weeks of walking on hard city streets
encouraged by warmth of soup kitchen meals
unable to talk of the pain that I feel

I remember the smile on my mother’s face
in the time I was loved in my childhood place
when I was secure in the arms of love
my feet gently washed and lovingly rubbed

Today, how I long simply for socks
to give me some comfort walking long blocks
Today I pray that my feet will not bleed
as I struggle to cross the wide busy streets
I pray for some water, kind words to be said
for compassion and care for my feet that have bled
A cup of hot coffee to warm my chapped hands
that once held tightly ...bright coloring crayons

I remember happiness in my heart
in the childhood home of my first-step start
Where I was anointed by love so complete
Before I began my life on the streets

I haven’t lost hope; I still live in prayer
I believe in God’s presence everywhere
I believe in Jesus, and I know we will meet
In recognition of homeless feet

By Patricia C. Montesano, March 24, 2005
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