A recent study reveals that our friends in the UK may actually have beat us in the ignominious race toward biblical illiteracy. Comfortably ensconsed in the charming “Senior Common Room” (a kind of faculty lounge but waaay nicer) at Harris Manchester College, I came across an article in The Independent citing a recent study that “found that as few as 10 per cent of people understood the main characters of the Bible and their relevance. I admit that it was a bit jarring to read such news from the amazing hub of learning that is Oxford University (and site of much Harry Potter filming). On the other hand, it’s understandable.
Judging from the comments that people have posted about the article, many consider learning about the Bible to be a religious exercise, so they figure that it’s not relevant (and some argue should be avoided) for those who aren’t religious… rather than something of value for people no matter what their faith (non)beliefs. Here’s hoping that Bible Babel, with its religiously neutral voice simply introducing info about the Bible to general readers, will find its way to this illustrious place whose history is so steeped in and influenced by the Bible.
