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Terry Sullivan read Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero

One of the most influential books in my life was The Three Little Pigs. As a kid, it impressed on me the need to plan for the future, the importance of good foundations, and why you shouldn't just live for the moment - that there are consequences for actions. I think there are ramifications for these unlearned lessons everywhere today. I'm being really simplistic, but it's evident in monumental personal debt, the mortgage crisis, massive borrowing to fund a war.

Currently I’m reading Spies of Warsaw by Alan Furth, and Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know but Doesn’t by Stephen Prothero. The former for escape, and the latter to provoke more serious thought. I hear Prothero, chair of the religion department at Boston University, speak at Falmouth Academy and decided to read his book.

I’m a part-time interpreter at Plimoth Plantation. Religion was important to the Pilgrims, and it’s a subject I’m often asked about. There’s a common misconception that religion was the primary motivation for the colonization. Visitors approach me with some unbelievable comments. Overheard on the Mayflower: “I can’t understand how they got two of each kind of animal on this ship!” A woman who wore a “Jesus is my best friend“ T-shirt asked me if the people who came over on the Mayflower were Christians. When I told her they were, she asked, “Was Christ dead when they came over here?” I politely said yes, the Pilgrims sailed in 1620, but what I wanted to say was, if Jesus is your best friend, you probably should find out more about him.

While these comments reveal a lack of knowledge, they are indicative of a more widespread lack of critical thought and a general unwillingness to accept without question what others say. In his book, Prothero notes that many people profess have faith, but it is faith without understanding, leading to religious ignorance. Prothero believes that public school students should be educated about all religions. America is one of the most religiously diverse nations on Earth. Religion influences world affairs. Yes, in order to be effective citizens, we need to understand our own and as well as other religions.

To Learn More ...

Learn more about author Stephen Prothero and the B.U. Department of Religion where he serves as Dean. A review of the book by the Washington Post.

Let us know if there are other sites you would like to see listed about this book and its topics.

Terry Sullivan, a retired military officer and federal civil servant, holds Stephen Prothero's book Religeous Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know but Doesn't.