Durham University research finds Bible ignorance

Jul 12 2009 Sunday Sun

YOUNG people don’t know their lion’s den from their Lion King, according to research published today by North experts.

The Durham University study found many believe the Bible is old fashioned, irrelevant and only for people like EastEnders’ churchgoing character, Dot Cotton.

The academics claim it is a sign that knowledge of the holy book is declining.

The findings from The National Biblical Literacy Survey 2009 revealed that 40 per cent did not know that Christmas gift-giving comes from the story of the Three Wise Men bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus.

Fewer than one in 20 are able to name all Ten Commandments - and 16pc couldn’t name any - while 62pc did not know the parable of the Prodigal Son and 60pc knew nothing about the Good Samaritan.

One respondent said David and Goliath was the name of a ship while another thought Daniel - who survived being thrown into the lions’ den - was The Lion King.

The survey also showed that despite the success of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 57pc knew nothing about Joseph and his brothers.

More than 900 people, from faith and non-faith backgrounds, were surveyed at various locations.

The Rev Brian Brown, a Methodist minister and Visiting Fellow in Media and Communication at St John’s College, Durham University, said: “We can no longer take it for granted that Bible stories which are part of our national heritage, and many assume are learned from the cradle, are known by the majority.

“The Church and political leaders should take serious note of the findings and recognise that we cannot make the assumptions we used to make about the Bible and its place in contemporary people’s lives.”

Mr Brown added that “all was not doom and gloom“ as, for example, 75pc knew about Moses and almost 70pc could talk about Judas.

Three-quarters of respondents said they owned a Bible and 31pc said the Bible was significant in their lives today.

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