As part of a larger demographic analysis of current American reading habits, Barna got stats on who’s reading—and finishing—the Bible. Here’s a quick breakdown:
20% of all adults have read the Bible from start to finish
61% of practicing Christians have read the Bible from start to finish
18% of people who claim a faith other than Christianity have read the Bible from start to finish
9% of those with no faith have read the Bible from start to finish
Of those who have read the Bible for start to finish:
14% Mosaic
29% Buster
16% Elder
41% Boomer
—From Barna Group
Religion Losing Influence, But Americans Desire a Comeback
A particular Gallup poll has tracked American views of religion since the Eisenhower administration. This year’s numbers indicate that 77 percent of Americans believe that religion is losing its influence in American life. This number is eerily close to their 1970 poll, in which 75 percent of respondents (then in another unpopular war and a cultural and sexual revolution) indicated that they thought religion was losing influence. This year though, Gallup added another question, asking participants whether more American religion would be positive or negative.—From Gallup
75% of Americans responded that society would benefit from an increase in religion.
Soundbites
“… according to the most current data on the culture and the church, egalitarian evangelicals seem to have momentum. Those Christians who hold to traditional views on gender must either catch up with the broader culture or learn to communicate their beliefs in ways that feel less outdated and disconnected from modern realities.”
—Jonathan Merritt, reporter for the Religion News Service
“Being a missionary isn’t limited to our traditional definitions. I may not be that guy out in the field in Africa, but I am a minister of the gospel where God has me. God’s given me a specific skill and, like the Parable of the Talents, I am called to do something with it in design and in the marketplace.”
—Xianyi Wu, designer and entrepreneur
“Sincerity does not trump truth. After all, one can be sincerely wrong. But sincerity is indispensable to any truth we wish others to believe. There is something winsome, even irresistible, about a life lived with conviction.”
—Larry Taunton, Fixed Point Foundation
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