Multiple surveys reveal the problem in stark terms. According to 82 percent of Americans, “God helps those who help themselves,” is a Bible verse. Those identified as born-again Christians did better–by one percent. A majority of adults think the Bible teaches that the most important purpose in life is taking care of one’s family.
Some of the statistics are enough to perplex even those aware of the problem. A Barna poll indicated that at least 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. Another survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that over 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.
I marvel, too, at some of those examples, and wonder if folk just enjoy pulling the pollster’s leg. Billy Graham preached the Sermon on the Mount? Seriously? It wasn’t Donald Trump?
Ho-ho.
Notice the concluding words of that first paragraph of the portion I quoted: “A majority of adults think the Bible teaches that the most important purpose in life is taking care of one’s family.”
Notice, too, Albert the Pious’ apparent dismay and wonder: How is it possible that people believe such a thing?! They’re Biblically illiterate!!
I say again, then, as I have said many times before: “family values” is a marketing lie, and Christianity is not a family-friendly religion. It teaches the ethics of the cult, that your family is to be thrown overboard when its needs conflict with the needs of the cult.
Let us all rejoice, then, that Biblical literacy is on the decline, and, however mistakenly, that “a majority of adults” believe that taking family attachments seriously puts them on the side of the angels.