London, England, Dec 10, 2007 / 09:58 am
A new poll conducted by a theological think-tank illustrates Britons' ignorance about the details of Christ's conception, birth, and infancy.
27 percent of Britons aged 18 and older were unable to identify Bethlehem as Jesus' birthplace. One in ten thought the answer was Nazareth, and a similar number said Jerusalem.
Similarly, 27 percent of respondents did not know the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. Some believed she was instead informed by the shepherds.
Among other confusions, most people believed the Holy Family fled to Nazareth, rather than Egypt in their escape from King Herod. Just over half did not know that John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin.