Cultural Diversity Education is Still Important

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released the results of an educational intelligence on religion survey last week.  The results: for a country that claims to be a "Christian nation," Americans know far less about religion than they claim.  The Pew results, as reported by the New York Times, found that the average American scored 50% (that's a failing grade) on a test of the basics of the three major religions - Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.  Those most knowledgeable about religion, to the surprise of some, were atheists and agnostics.

The survey results, while interesting, are not at all surprising when we consider that most Americans are also ill-informed about history and science and often lack basic mathematical skills.  When it comes to religion, it seems that most Americans rely upon the "trusted word" of their clergy and political leaders - words that are often misquoted or placed in an ill-fitting context.  The very sad thing that the Pew study brings to light is that there are many individuals using their limited religious understanding to criticize those who they consider to be doing things that they wrong, immortal or un-godly.  Among those things are a pervasive criticism of gays and lesbians, a general distrust of Muslims, and a misunderstanding of the myriad beliefs of atheists and agnostics.

Americans are known to act and speak based on their beliefs.  But when these beliefs are misguided or based on a limited understanding, the result is a wide-spread ignorance on various cultures, races, ethnicities, and religious practices.   The Pew study underscores the need for Americans to be educated, from an early age, on cultural heritage, diversity, and humanities.

Photo Credit: Kateline Waver