Misconceptions of Christian theology

[John V]

In a recent Pew Poll in the USA, it was shown that Athiests scored higher in understanding Scripture better than Believers. One pastor propsed that it is because they have to respond to believers, so they study harder. I would suggets it is because they DID study hard, they became non-blievers, and that learning showed.

Or you could read the poll results yourself, which say that the biggest predictor was general educational level. The Bible questions asked did not require hard study. They were:

1. Name the first book in the Bible.
2. Name the four gospels.
3. Where was Jesus born?
4. Which of the following is not in the Ten Commandments? (Answer: do unto others...)
5. Which Bible figure is most closely associated with remaining obedient to god despite suffering?
6. Which Bible figure is most closely associated with leading the exodus from Egypt?
7. Which Bible figure is most closely associated with willingness to sacrifice his son for God?

There were 32 questions in total - 12 on Christianity, 11 on other religions, and 9 general questions (who's the vice president? how does a laser work? who wrote Moby Dick?).

On the Christianity section, using the subgroups the survey used, the top groups were Mormons and white evangelical Christians. Atheists/agnostics were third. Props to Mormons, but again, the actual questions are underwhelming. A few of them are readily knowable through popular culture.