RE: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
Some of these might have religious components. Gravity: http://www.theonion.com/articles/evangelical-scientists-refute-gravity-with-new-int,1778/ As far as the most abundant element in the universe: * The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen...and stupidity.. --Harlan Ellison<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harlan_Ellison> * There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. --Frank Zappa<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Frank_Zappa> Cheers, Karl W. From: Christopher D. Green [mailto:chri...@yorku.ca] Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 8:51 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Someone should do similar easy tests of non-religious knowledge: Who discovered the law of universal gravitation? Who first discovered moons around the planet Jupiter? What is the popular name given to the event at the origin of the universe? What is the most abundant chemical element in the universe? What class of animals is known for having warm blood and bearing live young? etc. Chris == "Jim Clark" <mailto:j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca> 09/28/10 9:42 PM >>> Hi Shouldn't that be Bibles, Qur'ans, OR other similar texts? If the survey questions sampled diverse religious traditions, then perhaps a person committed to one religion might not do well on religious tenets other than their own? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca<mailto:j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca> <mailto:roig-rear...@comcast.net> 28-Sep-10 5:24:46 PM >>> Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such questions, plus the fact that millions of people are given bibles, Qur'ans, and other similar texts from the moment they are born and remain religious throughout their lives, I vote for the third variable (or a constellation of variables). Miguel --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: wuens...@ecu.edu<mailto:wuens...@ecu.edu>. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13060.c78b93d4d09ef6235e9d494b3534420e&n=T&l=tips&o=5257 (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) or send a blank email to leave-5257-13060.c78b93d4d09ef6235e9d494b35344...@fsulist.frostburg.edu<mailto:leave-5257-13060.c78b93d4d09ef6235e9d494b35344...@fsulist.frostburg.edu> --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5314 or send a blank email to leave-5314-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
RE: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
I got them all correct.
I wonder how I'd do on the 32-question version (that's what Pew actually used,
I think).
I suspect I'd do well.
My atheism isn't responsible for it, though: as others have mentioned, it's
education -- but I'd add also paying attention to the news. (And yeah, I was a
Jesuit, so I have a bit of an edge...)
m
--
Marc Carter, PhD
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Psychology
College of Arts & Sciences
Baker University
--
> -Original Message-
> From: William Scott [mailto:wsc...@wooster.edu]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 9:27 PM
> To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)
> Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
>
> You can take the quiz at:
>
> http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/
>
> and get your percentile ranking.
>
> It's ridiculously easy.
>
> Bill Scott
>
>
> >>> "Jim Clark" 09/28/10 9:42 PM >>>
> Hi
>
> Shouldn't that be Bibles, Qur'ans, OR other similar texts?
> If the survey questions sampled diverse religious traditions,
> then perhaps a person committed to one religion might not do
> well on religious tenets other than their own?
>
> Take care
> Jim
>
> James M. Clark
> Professor of Psychology
> 204-786-9757
> 204-774-4134 Fax
> j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca
>
> >>> 28-Sep-10 5:24:46 PM >>>
> Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such
> questions, plus the fact that millions of people are given
> bibles, Qur'ans, and other similar texts from the moment they
> are born and remain religious throughout their lives, I vote
> for the third variable (or a constellation of variables).
>
> Miguel
>
> --
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Christopher D. Green"
> To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)"
>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 5:35:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
>
>
>
>
> Wuensch, Karl L wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> http://tinyurl.com/37t55hv
>
>
>
> So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, does
> knowing more about religion cause one to become atheist, or
> might there be a third variable (or constellation of
> variables) accounting for the correlation between atheism and
> knowledge about religion?
> Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, was quoted in
> the New York Times version of this story as saying: *I have
> heard many times that atheists know more about religion than
> religious people,
> 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.*
> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&hp
>
> Chris Green
> York U.
> Toronto
> =
>
>
> ---
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Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
William Scott wrote: > You can take the quiz at: > http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/ > and get your percentile ranking. > It's ridiculously easy. > > It is indeed. My, my... Someone should do similar easy tests of non-religious knowledge: Who discovered the law of universal gravitation? Who first discovered moons around the planet Jupiter? What is the popular name given to the event at the origin of the universe? What is the most abundant chemical element in the universe? What class of animals is known for having warm blood and bearing live young? etc. Chris == > > "Jim Clark" 09/28/10 9:42 PM >>> > Hi > > Shouldn't that be Bibles, Qur'ans, OR other similar texts? If the > survey questions sampled diverse religious traditions, then perhaps a > person committed to one religion might not do well on religious tenets > other than their own? > > Take care > Jim > > James M. Clark > Professor of Psychology > 204-786-9757 > 204-774-4134 Fax > j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca > > 28-Sep-10 5:24:46 PM >>> > Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such questions, > plus the fact that millions of people are given bibles, Qur'ans, and > other similar texts from the moment they are born and remain religious > throughout their lives, I vote for the third variable (or a > constellation of variables). > > Miguel > > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5257 or send a blank email to leave-5257-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
Correct! Miguel - Original Message - From: "Jim Clark" To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 9:40:15 PM Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Hi Shouldn't that be Bibles, Qur'ans, OR other similar texts? If the survey questions sampled diverse religious traditions, then perhaps a person committed to one religion might not do well on religious tenets other than their own? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca >>> 28-Sep-10 5:24:46 PM >>> Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such questions, plus the fact that millions of people are given bibles, Qur'ans, and other similar texts from the moment they are born and remain religious throughout their lives, I vote for the third variable (or a constellation of variables). Miguel -- - Original Message - From: "Christopher D. Green" To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 5:35:15 PM Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Wuensch, Karl L wrote: http://tinyurl.com/37t55hv So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, does knowing more about religion cause one to become atheist, or might there be a third variable (or constellation of variables) accounting for the correlation between atheism and knowledge about religion? Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, was quoted in the New York Times version of this story as saying: *I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people, 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.* http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&hp Chris Green York U. Toronto = --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=5246 or send a blank email to leave-5246-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: roig-rear...@comcast.net. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13482.917fac06d4daae681dabfe964ca8c74e&n=T&l=tips&o=5249 or send a blank email to leave-5249-13482.917fac06d4daae681dabfe964ca8c...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5256 or send a blank email to leave-5256-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re:[tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
Karl Wuensch writes in response to the results of the Pew Poll on religious knowledge >So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, >does knowing more about religion cause one to become >atheist, or might there be a third variable (or constellation >of variables) accounting for the correlation between atheism >and knowledge about religion? I'm with Miguel on this, in contrast to the simplistic comment of Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, whose words were quoted by Chris Green (see below). : Miguel wrote: >I vote for the third variable (or a constellation of variables). A look at a sample of the questions indicates it is not really about religion as such. As one of the authors of the poll says: "The single strongest factor predicting how well a person does on the religious knowledge quiz is education - the more years of schooling a person has, the more they are likely to know about religion, regardless of how religious they consider themselves to be." In other words, it's actually a general knowledge poll rather than a specifically religious knowledge poll, as can be seen from the sample of 15 questions from the 32 on this webpage: http://pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Belief_and_Practices/religious-knowledge-quiz-handout.pdf So I don't think anything much (beyond educational attainment) can be drawn from the fact that atheists/agnostics score high – especially as Jews score about the same, and Mormons are close behind! Jews 65% Atheist/Agnostic 64% Mormons 61% http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/index.php?q=16#religous-groups P.S. An anomaly of self-identification in such polls is the religion/ethnicity conflation in the case of Jews. If the US is anything like the UK, an appreciable proportion of Jews are atheist/agnostic -- as is the newly elected leader of the UK Labour Party, Ed Miliband: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-dawn-of-generation-ed-2092566.html Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London allenester...@compuserve.com http://www.esterson.org --- From: Christopher D. Green Subject:Re: Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:35:15 -0400 Wuensch, Karl L wrote: http://tinyurl.com/37t55hv So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, does knowing more about religion cause one to become atheist, or might there be a third variable (or constellation of variables) accounting for the correlation between atheism and knowledge about religion? Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, was quoted in the New York Times version of this story as saying: “I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people, 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.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&hp Chris Green York U. Toronto From: roig-rear...@comcast.net Subject:Re: Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:24:46 + (UTC) Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such questions, plus the fact that millions of people are given bibles, Qur'ans, and other similar texts from the moment they are born and remain religious throughout their lives, I vote for the third variable (or a constellation of variables). Miguel From: William Scott Subject:Re: Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:26:53 -0400 You can take the quiz at: http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/ and get your percentile ranking. It's ridiculously easy. Bill Scott >>> "Jim Clark" 09/28/10 9:42 PM >>> Hi Shouldn't that be Bibles, Qur'ans, OR other similar texts? If the survey questions sampled diverse religious traditions, then perhaps a person committed to one religion might not do well on religious tenets other than their own? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5255 or send a blank email to leave-5255-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
You can take the quiz at: http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/ and get your percentile ranking. It's ridiculously easy. Bill Scott >>> "Jim Clark" 09/28/10 9:42 PM >>> Hi Shouldn't that be Bibles, Qur'ans, OR other similar texts? If the survey questions sampled diverse religious traditions, then perhaps a person committed to one religion might not do well on religious tenets other than their own? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca >>> 28-Sep-10 5:24:46 PM >>> Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such questions, plus the fact that millions of people are given bibles, Qur'ans, and other similar texts from the moment they are born and remain religious throughout their lives, I vote for the third variable (or a constellation of variables). Miguel -- - Original Message - From: "Christopher D. Green" To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 5:35:15 PM Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Wuensch, Karl L wrote: http://tinyurl.com/37t55hv So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, does knowing more about religion cause one to become atheist, or might there be a third variable (or constellation of variables) accounting for the correlation between atheism and knowledge about religion? Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, was quoted in the New York Times version of this story as saying: *I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people, 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.* http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&hp Chris Green York U. Toronto = --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=5246 or send a blank email to leave-5246-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: wsc...@wooster.edu. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13058.902daf6855267276c83a639cbb25165c&n=T&l=tips&o=5249 or send a blank email to leave-5249-13058.902daf6855267276c83a639cbb251...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5250 or send a blank email to leave-5250-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
Hi Shouldn't that be Bibles, Qur'ans, OR other similar texts? If the survey questions sampled diverse religious traditions, then perhaps a person committed to one religion might not do well on religious tenets other than their own? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca >>> 28-Sep-10 5:24:46 PM >>> Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such questions, plus the fact that millions of people are given bibles, Qur'ans, and other similar texts from the moment they are born and remain religious throughout their lives, I vote for the third variable (or a constellation of variables). Miguel -- - Original Message - From: "Christopher D. Green" To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 5:35:15 PM Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Wuensch, Karl L wrote: http://tinyurl.com/37t55hv So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, does knowing more about religion cause one to become atheist, or might there be a third variable (or constellation of variables) accounting for the correlation between atheism and knowledge about religion? Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, was quoted in the New York Times version of this story as saying: *I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people, 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.* http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&hp Chris Green York U. Toronto = --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=5246 or send a blank email to leave-5246-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5249 or send a blank email to leave-5249-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
Lacking any knowledge of empirical research regarding such questions, plus the fact that millions of people are given bibles, Qur'ans, and other similar texts from the moment they are born and remain religious throughout their lives, I vote for the third variable (or a constellation of variables). Miguel -- - Original Message - From: "Christopher D. Green" To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 5:35:15 PM Subject: Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion Wuensch, Karl L wrote: http://tinyurl.com/37t55hv So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, does knowing more about religion cause one to become atheist, or might there be a third variable (or constellation of variables) accounting for the correlation between atheism and knowledge about religion? Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, was quoted in the New York Times version of this story as saying: “I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people, 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.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&hp Chris Green York U. Toronto = --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5246 or send a blank email to leave-5246-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Atheism and Knowledge About Religion
Wuensch, Karl L wrote: > > *http://tinyurl.com/37t55hv * > > * * > > So, does atheism cause one to learn more about religion, does knowing > more about religion cause one to become atheist, or might there be a > third variable (or constellation of variables) accounting for the > correlation between atheism and knowledge about religion? > Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, was quoted in the New York Times version of this story as saying: "I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people, 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." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&hp Chris Green York U. Toronto = --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5244 or send a blank email to leave-5244-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
