One cannot consider Donald Trump’s “extreme vetting” of immigrants from Islamic countries without awareness of the problems the United Kingdom has experienced evaluating religious sincerity. As “Brexit” takes shape across the UK, there is increased focus on how Islamic Immigrants professing a conversion to Christianity will be assessed as genuine converts, and therefore be granted asylum.
According to a report from the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom or Belief, Christian converts from Islam asking to remain in the country are essentially quizzed on their Christian knowledge or beliefs. If they answer wrongly, they are at high risk of deportation.
The report stated, “Christian convert asylum seekers are still being asked detailed factual ‘Bible trivia’ questions, which is too simplistic a way to judge if an individual is, for example, a genuine convert.”
And there are other problems as well. Not only will such questions not tell you what it is in their heart, it also means there must be agreement on what the right answers are. For instance, to the question “Why did God send Jesus to earth?” those administering the exam (the “Home Office”) said the right answer was “to teach us how to behave” and not “to wipe out the sins of all humans.”
One Christian convert from Iran was asked what color the cover of the Bible was. He later told reporters, “I knew there were different colors. The one I had was red.”
“They asked me questions I was not able to answer,” he added. “For example, what are the Ten Commandments? I could not name them all from memory.” His application for asylum was rejected.
Here are some of the actual questions asked by UK immigration officers. See how many you get correct. Results will be reported to the local immigration office for possible deportation.
1. How many books are in the Bible?
2. How many books are in the New Testament?
3. What are the 10 Commandments?
4. Which gospel relates the story of Jesus’ birth?
5. What was his earthly father’s occupation?
6. Name Jesus’s disciples.
7. Where did Jesus become angry with the money lenders?
8. Who did Jesus raise from the dead? Which book is this miracle in?
9. What happened during the Last Supper?
10. Who betrayed Jesus to the Romans?
11. Where was Jesus arrested?
12. What is Ash Wednesday?
13. Is Easter celebrated on the same date every year?
14. What is the date of Pentecost?
15. What is the meaning of Lent?
Answers:
1. 66
2. 27
3. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image and worship it. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord. Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy. Honor your father and mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet.
4. Matthew and, more famously, Luke.
5. Carpenter
6. Simon Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew or Nathanael, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot
7. In the temple
8. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead; it was recorded in John 11.
9. During the Last Supper, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. He washed their feet, gave them bread and wine by which to remember his body and blood, and told them he would soon be betrayed.
10. The Jewish religious authorities, with the help of Judas Iscariot
11. Garden of Gethsemane
12. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian church.
13. No. Easter is held on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. (Thank the Council of Nicaea.)
14. Pentecost is seven weeks after Easter.
15. Lent is a season of 40 days that lasts from Ash Wednesday to Easter. It represents Jesus’ 40-day stay in the desert, and those observing it pray, repent, and fast.