Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – And Doesn't

A great book that every person should read so we get a better perspective on our society, and more importantly the world - Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – And Doesn't by Stephen Prothero.  The author provides the history of how America became so unwilling to engage in religion with the first amendment, division of church and state, and yet we are one of the most membered religious countries in the world.  If you haven’t seen his religion “test”, here it is: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660205799/Stephen-Protheros-religious-literacy-quiz.html  

His hypothesis is that we need to know the history and underlying concepts of each of the world’s seven great religions.. do you know them?  Here goes: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Judaism.  The author goes into depth about the history of America, steeped in rich religious history brought from Europe, but the US decided to separate it from the governing rules of the country.  Through his test he has shown how little our children know about religion, almost to the point of being embarrassed to know something.  He suggests that it is a civic obligation that we know this history and context so that we can better understand each other and the why.  We would understand the Middle East conflict and so much more.  We moved away from the religious literate to the illiterate throughout the time after World War II and it heightened throughout the late 1960s.  Think about how many parents don’t influence their children today because they want them to make their own choice, but in many ways isn’t that a choice?  Hmmm…  Prothero concludes this book with a religious dictionary that explains the main concepts and players in religious history.  It is a great conversational piece and helps give context and reason for the why of the religions.  It is so embedded in decision making and culture that we are really at a loss as a citizenry without the knowledge.  This is a really quick read, I was able to complete it in three or so hours but was glued throughout.  I will be using portions of it in my class on community evolution for grad students starting next year for sure.  What a great conversation to be had.  I recommend all high school juniors/seniors to read and then for all those 20 somethings to pick it up as well.  What is wrong with being armed with knowledge that helps give context to this ever changing American landscape?  Nothing at all.  A must read for those who ever pick up the NY Times or even the NY Post (ugh!).