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.
This is among the findings unveiled in the August edition of the “State of the Bible: USA 2022 report. The report is published annually by the American Bible Society, and generally shows the cultural trends in the U.S. regarding spirituality and Scripture engagement. It examines America’s relationship with the Bible, faith, and the church.
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. 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.
“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.
Churches are encouraged to thoughtfully and faithfully respond with “innovation, energy and deep compassion” to reconnect people to Christ-centered relationships and service.
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. There is strong agreement that the moral values of America are declining. This was mostly blamed on a lack of positive parental involvement and the negative influence of media, movies, or music. A low level of respect for the Bible as a guide for moral development was also cited as a cause.
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. At least 15 per cent of those surveyed supported this view, down from 26 per cent last year. 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.”
Only 10 per cent of Americans read their Bible daily. This represents a major shift away from personal Bible reading in comparison to previous years. Those who read the bible the most are women, African Americans, from the South, are elderly and are Evangelical Protestants.
“Nearly four in 10 Americans say they never read the Bible outside of church services or Mass. Another two in 10 say they read it on their own no more than twice a year. That leaves another four in 10 reading on their own at least three times a year (Bible Users),” researchers noted.
The survey was conducted in January 2022, nearing the end of the COVID-19 pandemic second year in the US. 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 study was presented both online and via telephone to NORC’s AmeriSpeak® Panel, using a 15- minute questionnaire. The study produced 2,598 responses from a representative sample of adults 18 and older within all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
