One in Three Americans Say the Bible is The Answer

Breaking Christian News.com ^ | 4/1/13 | unknown

[kindred]

News Release : Apr 1, 2013 : Staff — The American Bible Society

Though beliefs about the Bible and its role in society are becoming increasingly polarized, the Bible remains a highly valued, influential force in America.

Bible (New York, NY)—A new report released today finds Americans overwhelming (77%) believe morals and values are declining in the U.S. The most-cited cause for the decline? A lack of Bible reading. (Photo: thegoodbook.com)

The findings are reported in American Bible Society's annual State of the Bible survey released today. The report details Americans' beliefs about the Bible, its role in society, its presence in U.S. homes and more. As in previous years, the survey found that the Bible remains a highly valued, influential force in America.

But beliefs about the Bible and its role in society are becoming increasingly polarized—particularly when the data is examined by age group.

The research also uncovered a significant disconnect in belief versus behavior. While 66% of those surveyed agreed that the Bible contains everything a person needs to know to live a meaningful life, 58% say they do not personally want wisdom and advice from the Bible, and about the same amount (57%) read it fewer than five times per year.

The State of the Bible 2013 survey, conducted by Barna Group on behalf of American Bible Society, found that:

Bible • The Bible continues to dominate both mind space and book retail space as America's undisputed best seller. (Photo: Zondervan)

• 1 in 6 people reported buying a copy of the Bible in the last year.

• 80% of Americans identify the Bible as sacred.

• Americans have plenty of copies at their fingertips - an average of 4.4 Bibles per household.

• 56% of adults believe the Bible should have a greater role in U.S. society.

• But actual Bible reading and perceptions about the Bible have become increasingly polarized, with 6 million new Bible antagonists in the last year alone.

Bible • More than half (57%) of those ages 18-28 report reading the Bible less than three times a year or never. (Photo: rdcltci)

• While those ages 18-28 are the least likely age group to read the Bible, they are the most interested in receiving input and wisdom from it on several topics including:

• Parenting (42%, compared to 22% of all adults)

• Family conflict (40%, compared to 24% of all adults)

• Dating and relationships (35%, compared to 16% of all adults)

• Romance and sexuality (30%, compared to 17% of all adults)

• In a non-election year, an increasing number of adults believe the Bible and politics do not mix (54%, compared to 49% in 2012). However, 69% still say their faith influences their views on political issues.

"Americans overwhelmingly recognize the decline of morality in our nation," said Doug Birdsall, president of American Bible Society. "The good news is the Bible is the ultimate instruction guide on how to live a moral life. Unfortunately, more than half of Americans rarely, if ever, read it."

The disconnect between belief and action when it comes to Bible reading is troubling, says Birdsall.

"If we had a cure for cancer, wouldn't everyone with cancer take it? Americans are telling us that the cure for declining morality is sitting on our bookshelves," says Birdsall. "But more than half of Americans are simply letting the cure gather dust."

[kindred]

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and judgment and rightiousness during the church age beginning from the time of God giving His Spirit to the disciples of Christ after His resurrection from the dead. The Holy Spirit will continue His work on the earth unto the end of this age which will end when the body of Christ is translated into the air to meet the Lord Jesus Christ and to be forever with Him. Then begins the 7 year tribulation spoken of by many Jewish prophets and verified by God in the flesh Jesus Christ to bring His Kingdom age in for a millennium on the earth. All this is taught in the Scriptures that remain on the shelves of those who let His Word sit on their shelves collecting dust while attending churches that teach lies. Yet it is the Scriptures that God would have all His children read and do that He may save and bless mankind. He is such a loving and wonderful God but mankind is a foolish arrogant sinner who lives in a loveless world denying the blessings God by Christ Jesus desires to give us who believe Him and read His Scriptures so we can know Him better and do His blessed will.

[Gaffer]

The other two thirds pray to Allah, Obama and the Government TeatSow...

[trebb]

• 80% of Americans identify the Bible as sacred.

I don't consider the Bible to be holy or sacred (man-made materials never are), but I consider the information and concepts put forth in the Word to be as Holy and Sacred as can be. IOW I won't pine over a burnt/defaced Bible, but I will die for my Savior by putting my life on the line for a goodly number of His children. Those who worship or place inordinate values on "stuff" are missing the point.

[darkwing104]

Despite the foolish efforts of Leftist and Statists to put the state before God...God will always win

[Bryanw92]

One in Three huh? Where are they on Sunday morning? Cultural Christians may say that the Bible is the answer, but they seem to think its like a smoke detector—put one in your house and you are protected.

[tflabo]

History is replete with mankinds attempts at various points down through the ages to eradicate God, Bible, Jews and Christians from society. The attempts continue but will ultimately fail. Insanity-—God is so good and faithful why fight against Him instead of just worshipping Him? Imagine if God was a tyrranical maniac ruler of the universe? No El diablo has a much smaller plot of hot real estate to inherit for his believers. Hell is soooooooooooo overrated. Texas summers are close enough for me.

[RetiredArmy]

I am one of the three I guess. THE BIBLE is THE ONLY answer. The ONE and ONLY answer.

[tflabo]

Didn’t Barry say we types cling to Bible, guns and religion? Only morons, hacks and ill-informed would cling to Barry and his statist types. USA populace is not all that much different than the Chavez worshippers of majority Venezuela—even after their pied-piper is now departed.

[Lucky2]

As a believer I’m glad there are still some us us left to believe in the truth of the Bible. 1 in 4 is sad, what has happened to the America I was born and raised in?

[CottShop]

[[The American Bible Society Though beliefs about the Bible and its role in society are becoming increasingly polarized, the Bible remains a highly valued, influential force in America.]]

How does 33% translate to ‘highly valued infkluential’? Years ago it was near 50%, now it’s only 1/3- and I dare say when our coutnry was foudned it was more near 2/3’s who valued the bible- I’d say thsi coutnry is in dire straightsi n regards to it’s religiosity, and it is I beleive hte reason why God has turned His face from this nation and is allowing evil to flourish because that IS what hte majority of peopel want unforntantely - they spoke loud and clear this last election that htey prefer evil over morality and that htey are willign to sell their souls for a few measely govenrment handouts-

Folsk from Brittain BEGGED us NOT to go down hte sluippery slope of socialism, but America saw that our leaders werre goign to give them ‘stuff’ and they clamoured for more and our govenrment willingly obliged- the folks from Brittain desperately tried to warn us that ocne on that path the people would NEVER get off it- but we ignored their pleas-

[FlingWingFlyer]

As America gets closer to total collapse, this number will go higher. I can see it easily going to 4 in 5.

[Monorprise]

I find myself wondering if this survey is too literal, because today fewer people read books in general and are instead getting their information from audio, video, and computer text.

Perhaps the actual book that is the bible is staying on the shelf because its contents are found more accessibly elsewhere.