Preview

Americans Get an F in Religion

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1304 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Americans Get an F in Religion
March 27, 2013
Americans get an ‘F’ in religion Essay Assignment
The focal purpose of the article ‘Americans get an ‘F’ in religion’ by Cathy Lynn Grossman is to explain how ignorant Americans are when it comes to other religions around the world and their own. Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs; a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons and sects. Being ignorant to something as vital as religion scares the author of this article because religion is not only all of the actualities stated in the preceding sentence but it is what motivates the people around us and why they behave as they do. Additionally, Grossman’s purpose of writing this article is to inform the readers that being ignorant about something that is this heavily weighted is not okay. This article was written in the year 2007; as a result the context has relevance and can still be comprehended and understood the same way today. The reason being that the article can still be construed the same way six years after it was written is because Americans still aren’t as knowledgeable as they should be about the religions of the world, their peers, or their own. A study in 2005 by the Bible Literacy Project surveyed 1,000 high school students and found that just 36 % know Ramadan is the Islamic holy month; 17% said it was the Jewish Day of Atonement. This study explains and supports the controversial topic that many Americans are ignorant about religion. It also clarifies that many high school students aren’t well informed enough about the religions of their peers and other people who inhabit their neighborhoods and communities. Consequently these high school students do not know or understand what

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    religion we see fit—a tenet of American society. After all, the established religions in our society…

    • 742 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    I have recently read the article Americans Get an ‘F’ in Religion by Cathy Lynn Grossman and the message that it is trying to give out to the reader is quite simple. The article is basically saying that people in America are quite ignorant of world religions. According to the text, not knowing about religions is treacherous. “Americans' deep ignorance of world religions — their own, their neighbors' or the combatants in Iraq, Darfur or Kashmir — is dangerous” said by Stephen Prothero, chairman of the religion department at Boston University. Cathy Lynn Grossman wrote this article in order to get Americans to realize this. The goal is to encourage the people of America to at least learn some basics of religions and what separates each from others. "Religions aren't all saying the same thing. That's presumptuous and wrong. They start with different problems, solve the problems in different ways, and they have different goals." said by Prothero. The article may have been written in the year 2006 or 2007, when President Bush was in office because it reference that activities in Iraq were still happening. This correlates on why…

    • 986 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Religion is more than individual faith; it is an impactful orientation to a purpose far greater than one person. Long stated how religion is “an orientation in the ultimate sense, that is, how one comes to terms with the ultimate significance of one’s place in the world” (p. 7). It is often within the realm of religion that people find power in their own…

    • 3597 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Who Is Holden Caulfield?

    • 1457 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Wilson , Erin. "Religion and Identity - As much bad as good?." Pulse-Berlin. N.p.. Web. 15 Oct 2012. <http://www.pulse-berlin.com/index.php?id=28>.…

    • 1457 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    2. Jacob Neusner, author of “World Religions in America,” strives to break down and emphasize the importance of religion in the United State. Neusner explains the importance in variety of religions. Furthermore, the author attempts to clarify that we all are the sum for a greater cause, which is built by the life encounters and interactions we have with people, situations, and the environment.…

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alexis De Tocqueville

    • 153 Words
    • 1 Page

    In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, "Upon my arrival in the United States, the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention.” Throughout America’s existence, religion in any form has been a principle foundation in the country. If the very reason for so many people flocking to America was to flee religious persecution, it is no surprise that these religious or spiritual beliefs would find their way into the literature of the country. This stake in America’s structure has led the rhetoric of the country to change as the country’s view on these beliefs shift between the eras. Whether it was focused on God or a general sense of spirituality, they both had an important part in shaping the ideals and morals of the…

    • 153 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Over the past years, there has been a great differ in the views of society and how people see religion and how important and influential it is to our moral values in contemporary societies today. This essay will look at why various different theory ideologies and their ideas about religion, and how it influences us day to day in our lives.…

    • 1507 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In many incidents in this country and abroad, those that are not exposed to other cultures and religions possess a limited view of the world. Ignorance at this level perpetuates a fear of the unknown and can ultimately lead to discrimination against those that are different from themselves. It is essential for students to acquire a stronger knowledge of important religious cultures in order to help prevent targeted acts of religious “hate violence” in our schools and our communities. According to Carrie Kilman, author of “One Nation, Many Gods,” students who had to take a world religions course, required for graduation, at a Modesto, California high school, proclaimed to researchers time and time again that they…

    • 1273 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Baha'I - Essay

    • 2323 Words
    • 10 Pages

    STOCKMAN, ROBERT H. "An Introduction to the Baha 'i Faith/An Introduction to the Baha 'i…

    • 2323 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Women's Roles in Religion

    • 2718 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Contemporary women are faced with oppressive traditions that restrict their roles in world religions, but notable women are taking steps to promote a more egalitarian future.…

    • 2718 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Most Focused Religions

    • 1627 Words
    • 7 Pages

    “Religions Around the World: Investigate the Beliefs and Faiths of People Everywhere”. Chicago, Ill: Encyclopedia Britannica, 2003. 1-66.…

    • 1627 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Polarization In America

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The United States is known for its deeply religious history, as well as its tolerant religious diversity. However, this religious dynamic has been faced with some shocks. On the other hand, the religious diversity of this nation continues to grow with non-Western religions making a presence in our nation in the recent years. Despite this growth in religious diversity, the United States is still known for its Christian traditions. By looking at these concepts of thinking, it is clear that there are certain patterns that American religiosity is taking. The argument that American religion has been experiencing disturbances within the past decades exhibits the truth for me. The drastic political and religious shifts an after shocks displayed…

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kabbalah

    • 1155 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Cited: Melton, J. Gordon. The Encyclopedia of American Religions. Wilmington, NC: McGrath Pub., 1978. Gale Cenage. Web. 12 May 2013.…

    • 1155 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Bibliography: "Summary of Key Findings." Statistics on Religion in America Report. Pew Forum on Religion and Public…

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the ‘Anthropological Study of Religion’, the key point is to understand the history of religion. The reading illustrates the beliefs and theories of social scientists from the nineteenth century to the twentieth century, and now – the twenty-first century. It hovers around the questions of where religion came from and what is a part of religion, such as the culture, language and rituals. More importantly, it presents the question of “what religion is” and if it can be given a definite definition.…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays