Nearly six in 10 adults believe the Bible has transformed their lives, with married people and those with children under 18 being more likely to say so, according to the report. Print versions still have strong appeal, but more are also turning to digital and audio forms and podcasts. Those most likely to engage with the Bible include Baby Boomers, Southerners, and those who live in cities and small towns or rural areas as opposed to the suburbs. The report notes that “Bible use has remained relatively consistent since 2011.” The study found that 14 percent of adults use the Bible daily, while 13 percent use it several times a week, 8 percent once a week, 6 percent about once a month and 8 percent three to four times a year. The Barna Group defines “Bible users” as “individuals who read, listen to or pray with the Bible on their own at least 3-4 times a year, outside of a church service or church event.” The study produced 2,598 responses from a representative sample of adults 18 and older within all 50 states and the District of Columbia.Nearly half of Americans continue to be “Bible users,” according to the State of the Bible 2018 report published by Barna research in July in partnership with the American Bible Society. The study was presented both online and via telephone to NORC’s AmeriSpeak® Panel, using a 15- minute questionnaire. The State of the Bible research team at American Bible Society collaborated with NORC at the University of Chicago to design and field a nationally representative survey of American adults on topics related to the Bible, faith, and the church. The survey was conducted in January 2022, nearing the end of the COVID-19 pandemic second year in the US. That leaves another four in 10 reading on their own at least three times a year (Bible Users),” researchers noted. Another two in 10 say they read it on their own no more than twice a year. “Nearly four in 10 Americans say they never read the Bible outside of church services or Mass. Those who read the bible the most are women, African Americans, from the South, are elderly and are Evangelical Protestants. This represents a major shift away from personal Bible reading in comparison to previous years. Only 10 per cent of Americans read their Bible daily. In fact, one in five persons polled (20 percent) are of the view that, “The Bible is just another book of teachings written by people that contains stories and advice.” At least 15 per cent of those surveyed supported this view, down from 26 per cent last year. The study finds that less people do not believe that the Bible is the actual word of God and should be taken literally, word for word. A low level of respect for the Bible as a guide for moral development was also cited as a cause. This was mostly blamed on a lack of positive parental involvement and the negative influence of media, movies, or music. There is strong agreement that the moral values of America are declining. The survey found that while people still prefer Bibles in print, younger generations are leading the way into apps, websites, computer programs, and other digital options. “In 2022, Americans are less likely than ever before to say that the Bible is influencing the way they live out their faith in relationship to others,” researchers found.Ĭhurches are encouraged to thoughtfully and faithfully respond with “innovation, energy and deep compassion” to reconnect people to Christ-centered relationships and service. Researchers found that in every study since 2018, Bible Users have accounted for between 47 and 49 percent of American adults however, the 2022 data showed a 10-percent decrease from the same time in 2021. The recent figures represent an unprecedented drop in the percentage of Bible Users in the US and is being partly blamed on the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines America’s relationship with the Bible, faith, and the church. regarding spirituality and Scripture engagement. The report is published annually by the American Bible Society, and generally shows the cultural trends in the U.S. This is among the findings unveiled in the August edition of the “State of the Bible: USA 2022 report. Nearly 26 million Americans have stopped reading their Bibles in the last year and of those who do only 10 per cent read it daily.
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