Is It Really Such a “Good” Book?
As a refreshing antidote to the plethora of piety on the Internet, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is debuting a challenging, but fun Internet quiz:
“What Do You Really Know about the Bible?”
The Foundation promises believers and unbelievers alike that they will be surprised by some of the answers to the 50-question, automatically-graded Internet quiz.
The quiz answers question the concept of the bible as a “good book,” and the bible’s reputation as a guide for “family values.” Bible rules and examples on child sacrifice, celibacy, the treatment of rape victims and “stubborn and rebellious sons” would shock modern society, maintains quiz author Dan Barker, a former ordained minister-turned-atheist and author of the book Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist.
Some of the questions concern weighty matters, such as biblical rules about women or mandating genocide, and doctrinal matters, such as the true path to salvation.
On the lighter side are bible trivia questions, including such subjects as bats, brains and barbequed locusts. (Hint: you may be in trouble for eating shrimp for dinner last night). Unexpected admonitions concern the treatment of the handicapped, and men kissing men.
A sample tricky question asks:
“Which one of these words is in the bible?”
- “a. Trinity”
- “b. Liberal”
- “c. Christmas”
- “d. Rapture”
Those with a score of perfect to ten wrong are congratulated for “knowing more than a minister, priest or rabbi.” Those who miss most questions are asked: “Did you get your bible knowledge from Sunday School?” and quiz-takers who score fewer than ten correct answers are consoled: “Don’t feel bad. You may be better off not knowing much about the bible.”
Learn what that tenth commandment really says, who “created evil,” why some Christmas traditions and women who wear jewelry are blasphemous, and the surprising prerequisite to make it into the “heavenly choir.”
