Where was Jesus born? 1 in 3 people don't know

 

By TOM KELLY - More by this author » Last updated at 23:33pm on 7th December 2007 Comments

The Christmas carollers may have already been heard singing O Little Town of Bethlehem the length and breadth of the country.

But it appears a huge chunk of their audience may have no idea why the town should be worthy of such reverence.

 

In an alarming survey published today into knowledge of the Christmas story, it appears that one in four adults do not know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

 

Among younger Britons - between 18 and 24 - the total for those who could not give the correct location rose to 36 per cent.

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Name that scene: Many Brits aren't sure where Jesus was born

 

 

Other religious blank spots included the role of the Archangel Gabriel - more than a quarter had no idea that Gabriel brought God's message to Mary at her home in Nazareth to say that she would give birth to a son.

 

And the majority of those questioned - 52 per cent - did not know that John the Baptist was Jesus's cousin.

 

More than 75 per cent were unaware that Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to escape from King Herod. Most thought they had fled to Nazareth, the family's hometown.

 

Only 12 per cent of adults could answer all four questions about the Christmas story correctly.

 

The survey of more than 1,000 adults was commissioned by the public theology think-tank Theos and is likely to reignite debate about the secularisation of Christmas.

 

It follows the news last week that only one in five schools is planning to perform a traditional Nativity play this year.

 

Paul Woolley, director of Theos, said the findings show that the public's understanding of Jesus's birth is "shaky".

 

He added: "The fact that younger people are the least knowledgeable about the Christmas story may reflect a decline in the telling of Bible stories in schools and the popularity of Nativity plays.

 

"No one seriously thinks that being a Christian or a member of the established Church is the same thing as being British today.

 

"But at the same time, if we are serious about social cohesion, we can't afford to ignore the stories that have bound us together as a culture for 1,000 years.

 

"Any attempts to play down the Christmas story in order to help social cohesion are likely to be counter-productive."

 

Christian churchgoers were the best informed about the Nativity, with 36 per cent answering all questions correctly, compared with only five per cent of atheists.

 

The survey also showed regional differences in how well people know Bible stories.

 

The South East was the area with the highest percentage getting all four answers right, at 19 per cent.

 

That was followed by the South West, which scored 17 per cent.

 

Those who demonstrated the worst Biblical knowledge were in Yorkshire and Humberside and London.

 

In both regions, 15 per cent of those questioned answered all four survey questions incorrectly.

Haha! *dies* :laugh3:! London's on the list of the worst scorers (yes, we are looking at you Christopher Martin :P)

^I wonder how many of them know where Chris was born??:rolleyes:

are you serious? :o that's so strange...

 

well i don't know what would be the result if that survey would be done in Spain :uhoh:

 

seems that people know less things each day... :undecided:

^I wonder how many of them know where Chris was born??:rolleyes:

 

"Every summer we could rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear"

"Every summer we could rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear"

 

This isn't a quiz.:dozey:

I was just thinking of that song (When I'm 64), becuase we learnt it at school and as we were learning it, I remebered that Chris grew up in the Isle of Wight (at least, I think he did)

i'd get all those questions wrong. lol.

if the one who doesn't know is not christian... I guess it's not wrong.... I don't really know about other religions

fair enough lore. i thought it was nazareth anyway...

I wish I'd know more about other religions but here most of the people is catholic so it's all that we know about...

chris was born in Devon England the isle of wright is where Hendrix played.... :confused:

Bethlehem.

I only know 1 answer

I got them all right haha

I got them all right haha

 

So what does that make you? Some kind of bible-basher??:P

I got them all right haha

 

But then again, you did go to Bible Camp during the summer :P

I agreed that Bethlehem is the birth place of Jesus. It is divine place for christians

I agreed that Bethlehem is the birth place of Jesus. It is divine place for christians

 

Congratulations.:dozey:

Only Mark has the wits to put in a response for that....

 

But, thats only 1 out of 3 you know...

Only Mark has the wits to put in a response for that....

 

But, thats only 1 out of 3 you know...

 

What is??:confused: