Survey Finds Protestants & Catholics Know Less About Religion than Atheists and Agnostics

Martin Luther

The Los Angeles Times had the following headline:

Atheists, agnostics most knowledgeable about religion, survey says. (Landsberg M. Los Angeles Times, 2010.09.27. http://mobile.latimes.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=294&nid=23170009&cid=16686&scid=-1&ith=1&title=Nation)

Essentially, what the survey says is that atheists and agnostics often have studied religion more than many who claim some type of religious faith, hence they know more than many who profess belief in God do.

Specifically, the survey from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that a majority of Protestants did not know that Martin Luther was the driving force behind the Protestant Reformation and that 40% of Catholics did not understand their teaching on communion known as transubstantiation.

I have found that many in Southern California really do not understand the doctrines and history of the Catholic and Protestant faiths.

The reality is that much of what passes for Christianity does not have basis in the Bible, hence it is of little surprise that many have become somewhat agnostic towards religion.

Furthermore, while Catholic and Protestant scholars are fully aware that early Christians would not war, current Catholics and Protestants generally feel that military warfare is acceptable for modern Christians.

But Jesus taught a different way.

Those truly interested in real biblical Christianity should consider studying the following articles:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
John Calvin, Calvinism, TULIP, and What is Predestination? Who was John Calvin? Did he believe in sola Scriptura or did he hold to unbiblical doctines? TULIP analyzed.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.