Weekly Bible reading is more likely among women, African-Americans, Southerners, and people from lower income households, than among men, Millenials, or people from the North East. This according to the State of the Bible 2015 report from the American Bible Society.
Some highlights from the report:
- Four out of five Americans consider the Bible sacred or holy
- 52% of adults describe the Bible as “inspired”
- Most Americans believe everyone in the world should be free to own and read a Bible
- Nine out of ten American homes have a Bible
- 52% of adults read the Bible three to four times a year
- Bible readers, on average, spend thirty minutes reading the Bible at each sitting
- The most popular version of the Bible is the King James Version
- 60% of Bible readers read the Bible to come closer to God
- Bible reading increases when people realise how important it is for their faith journey
- Busyness is the primary reason why people don’t read the Bible
- Most Bible readers say their reading evokes feelings of peace, hope and being encouraged
- Weekly Bible readers give a lot of thought to how the Bible applies to their lives
- Printed Bibles are the preferred format for Bible reading
- 50% of Bible readers use digital formats to read Bible content
- Four out of ten adults believe the main message of the Bible is “God is love”
- Americans believe the Bible strongly encourages forgiveness, generosity and serving the poor
- Americans believe the Bible strongly discourages prostitution, homosexuality and pornography
- One in three Americans believe morality is declining because Bible reading is declining
- Donations to non-profit organizations increases with increased Bible reading
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Download the full report: State of the Bible 2015
© Scripture Union Canada 2015