Jeopardy Contestants’ Biblical Illiteracy Goes Viral
The long-running game show Jeopardy has showcased many of the brightest and most knowledgeable individuals in America, but it has also given rise to some shocking blunders. One recent episode seems to provide an example of the latter.
A $200 question went, “Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father, which art in heaven,’ [this] be thy name.’”
As you may recognize, the question is referencing the most famous prayer ever offered, when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in what is commonly called The Lord’s Prayer. The prayer is so famous and frequently quoted that many religious and non-religious people alike would presumably know the answer was “hallowed.”
Well, apparently not. All three contestants remained silent. None even ventured a guess, prompting host Mayim Bialik to reveal the correct answer.
The clip quickly went viral on social media, where many users chimed in to express their dismay at the contestants’ failure to answer what appeared to be an easy question. Many also used the moment to lament the biblical illiteracy in the nation. Even several atheists jumped into the conversation to share their surprise at the contestants’ lack of knowledge.
Obviously, three contestants on a game show are not a scientific representation of a nation. The fact that the moment went instantly viral suggests that biblical illiteracy may not be as dire as these three contestants make it appear. Even so, the episode—and the subsequent conversation about it on social media—is another reminder that a shared religious heritage and knowledge that may have existed in the past is vanishing, and biblical teaching that was once common knowledge (even for those who did not believe it) is sadly becoming less common.
