American atheists are more knowledgeable about Christianity than American Christians.

In today's news, Americans don't know much about religion. Out of 32 questions about religion, atheists got an average of 21 correct, while mainline Christians got an average of 16 correct.

For the record, I got 31 out of 32. I missed the "Great Awakening" question. I knew Charles Finney was a major figure in American Christianity in the early part of the 19th century, but so was Jonathan "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" Edwards. I guessed wrong.

At least I know the Dalai Lama is a Buddhist. 74% of atheists and Jews got that right, compared to 45% of Christians. But really, 43% of Jews don't know Maimonides was Jewish? WTF? (6% of Jews don't know when the Sabbath begins; 6% of atheists don't know the definition of atheism. 6% of the population is just dumb.)

And I would disagree vehemently with the wording for the atheist question. The wording reads, "An atheist is someone who does not believe in God." An atheist does not believe a god or gods exist; it's a binary state. An agnostic is someone who believes we cannot know whether a god or gods exist. I can't help it if some of you are confused on this point.

Joke du jour...

See, when you know about other religions, you can get this joke.

Five Catholic women are sitting at a cafe'. The first one says, "My son is a priest. When he enters a room, the men all say, 'Oh, Father.'"

The second one says, "My son is a bishop. When he enters a room, the men all say, 'Your Grace.'"

The third one says, "My son is a cardinal. When he enters a room, the men all bow politely and say, 'Your Eminence.'"

The fourth one, who is rather old, says, "My son in the Pope. When he enters a room, the men all get down on one knee and gasp, 'Your Holiness!'"

After a moment, they all look at the fifth woman, who has been very quiet this whole time. Finally, she says, "My daughter is a young, blonde, willowy beauty with large breasts. When she walks into a room, the men all get down on both knees and cry out, 'Oh, God!'"