Atheism and Agnosticism Trivia Quiz

Answer: The atheist does not believe there is a God; the agnostic believes that we do not or cannot know if God exists.

The meanings can be determined by looking at the derivations of the words. The prefix "a" means "not" or "without"; "theist" refers to belief in God; "gnostic" comes from a Greek root meaning "to know". Therefore, the atheist is without God; the agnostic is without knowledge.

Answer: False

Despite this quiz being housed in the Religion section, atheism is not a religion! A religion, by definition, requires belief in the influence of supernatural beings upon humans. As some atheist humorists have joked, atheists will be glad to consider atheism a religion as soon as they get the tax breaks accorded in the US to churches!
A great quote on this subject is from the Atheism Web-http://www.infidels.org/news/atheism/intro.html
"The point of this digression is that the answer to the question "Isn't atheism a religious belief?" depends crucially upon what is meant by "religious". "Religion" is generally characterized by belief in a superhuman controlling power -- especially in some sort of God -- and by faith and worship.

(It's worth pointing out in passing that some varieties of Buddhism are not "religion" according to such a definition.)

Atheism is certainly not a belief in any sort of superhuman power, nor is it categorized by worship in any meaningful sense. Widening the definition of "religious" to encompass atheism tends to result in many other aspects of human behavior suddenly becoming classed as "religious" as well -- such as science, politics, and watching TV."

Answer: False

In fact, studies have shown that atheists tend to be as moral as religious folk. While the basis for their system of morality may be different, they are every bit as likely to feel that their actions are based on a system of ethics.

Answer: False

Although a vocal minority take it upon themselves to condemn all religion publicly, most atheists favor religious tolerance- for *all* religions. A good discussion of this topic is at http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/ath/blathm_god_hate.htm

Answer: True

Quite a few such studies have been done. For example, Southern and Plant interviewed 72 MENSA members (a high-IQ group) in the United States and found that they were much less likely to be religious than average Americans. A survey of scientists by the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S. showed that 93% disbelieved in the concept of a personal God.

Answer: No

As written on a web page at the "Ebon Musings" site, http://www.ebonmusings.org/atheism/intro.html- "I'm not an atheist because I hate God. To hate God I would first have to believe in him, and then I wouldn't be an atheist anymore." In short, you cannot hate something that you don't believe in. Atheists may deplore the damage that organized religion has done to the world, but they do not hate God.

Answer: False

In fact, atheists tend to be less nihilistic than many believers. They feel that they are free- free to believe in the power of compassion and right action to change the world, and free of the fetters that organized religion can place on action. In atheist philosophy, when humans are good, it is because they *freely choose* to be good, fully cognizant of their actions and their results, rather than unthinkingly following dogma.

Answer: False

Although some studies exist that claim that regular churchgoers are less likely to be depressed than non-churchgoers, these studies do not differentiate between atheists and people who simply do not go to church. They also do not control for other factors that could explain the lesser rate of depression in churchgoers (such as the possibility that churchgoers have a broader social network, which can lessen the chances of depression.) What limited studies that have been done on atheists suggest that they are no more likely to be clinically depressed (and are perhaps less likely) than regular churchgoers.

Answer: True

A 1998 survey of the members of the US National Academy of Sciences, probably the most preeminent scientific body in the US, found that 72% of members were atheists and 21% agnostics. Only 7% considered themselves religious.

Answer: False

This persistent rumor was coined by one Lady Hope, who claimed to have been present at Darwin's deathbed. The myth was debunked by many who really were there, including Darwin's daughter Henrietta, but it still circulates today. Darwin described his own views as agnostic.

Answer: False

There is no firm evidence that Hitler was an atheist. He often made statements that indicated his religious views. http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/quotes_hitler.html is one of many websites that document Hitler's views.

Answer: George H. W. Bush

Bush Sr. made this comment in 1987, in Chicago, Illinois, while on the campaign trail, to reporter Robert Sherman of American Atheists.

Answer: Albert Einstein

Einstein wrote this in a letter in 1954. http://jeromekahn123.tripod.com/thinkersonreligion/id8.html has a good discussion of the misconception that Einstein was a religious man.

Answer: Tom Lehrer

Many people do not realize that Lehrer, more widely known for his satirical and comical songs such as "Be Prepared" and "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park," was a mathematics professor. In the interview, he went on to state, "I think, for example, that pi is mysterious enough (don't get me started!) without having to worry about God. Or if pi isn't enough, how about fractals? Or quantum mechanics?"

Answer: Boy Scouts of America

The BSA also prohibited gays before 2014. The BSA's official resolution, which can be viewed at http://www.scouting.org/media/press/020206/resolution.html, has such comments as:
"The national officers agree with the report that 'duty to God is not a mere ideal for those choosing to associate with the Boy Scouts of America; it is an obligation.'"
"The Boy Scouts of America has made a commitment 'to provide faith-based values to its constituency in a respectful manner.'"