State of The Bible 2014 (Barna)

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American Bible Society
THE STATE OF THE BIBLE | 2014
Research conducted among US adults
Research commissioned by:

American Bible Society
New York, NY
Research conducted by:

Barna Group
Ventura, CA
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Barna Group
Copyright 2014
This information has been produced by Barna Group (Ventura, CA) for the American Bible
Society (New York, NY). The information is confidential and copyrighted, and belongs to
American Bible Society. It may not be reproduced in any form or format without the written
permission of ABS.
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American Bible Society | The State of the Bible Report 2014 2
Barna Group
T ABLE OF C ONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................ 4
Researcher’s Notes ..................................................................... 5
Data Analysis
1. Bible Perceptions ......................................................... 6

2. Bible Penetration .......................................................... 9
3. Bible Engagement ........................................................11
4. Bible Literacy...............................................................20
5. Moral Decline and Social Impact ................................24
6. Giving to Non-Profit Organizations.............................25
Appendix I: Data Tables
1. Bible Perceptions .........................................................26

2. Bible Penetration ..........................................................30
3. Bible Engagement ........................................................33
4. Bible Literacy...............................................................51
5. Moral Decline and Social Impact ................................58
6. Giving to Non-Profit Organizations.............................60
Appendix II: About the Study
Definitions........................................................................61
Methodology ....................................................................63
Guide to Survey Data .......................................................65
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Barna Group
I NTRODUCTION
This report contains the findings from a nationwide study commissioned by the American Bible
Society and conducted by Barna Research Group. Two research methodologies were used for the
study; one included 1,012 telephone interviews with adults in the continental US, while the other
consisted of 1,024 online surveys conducted using a nationally representative panel.
Most of the questions were asked in the telephone survey, while a set of core questions were
included online. The use of two methodologies provided a larger sample size for key questions
and ensured greater representation among all age groups. The telephone interviews were
conducted from January 8 to January 20, 2014, and the online surveys were conducted January
28 to February 5, 2014.
The objectives of this research were to determine:
 perceptions of the Bible

 Bible penetration
 Bible engagement
 Bible literacy
 moral decline and social impact
 giving to non-profit organizations
This report contains key findings of the telephone and online interviews completed for this
research study. Following the Introduction is the Data Analysis section, which is a written
explanation of the results that also includes an analysis of the implications of the data. The
Appendices contain the data tables, a description of the research methodology and definitions of
terminology used in this report. Copies of the questionnaire and detailed, cross-tabulated data
tables are provided separately.
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R ESEARCHER ’ S N OTES
Data is shown with a () or () sign, if applicable, to indicate if the data for that segment is
statistically significantly higher or lower than the total response for all adults in the study, as well
as to indicate change over time. Where these tests of significance have been performed,
differences are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level or higher.
Segmentation of the findings is as follows:
Generations:
Millennials: those currently ages 18 to 29
Busters: those currently ages 30 to 48
Boomers: those currently ages 49 to 67
Elders: those currently ages 68 or older
Practicing Protestant, Practicing Catholic: Practicing faith are those who attend a
religious service at least once a month, who say their faith is very important in their lives
and who identify as either Protestant or Catholic.
Non-Practicing Christian: Self-identified Christians who are non-practicing as defined

above
No faith/Other faith: Individuals who do not consider themselves Christian (including

atheists, agnostics and other faiths); Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are also included,
even if they describe themselves as Christian.
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Barna Group
1. BIBLE PERCEPTIONS
[Table 1.1 | Sacred Literature | p. 28]
When asked to name the books that come to mind when they consider sacred literature or holy
books, Americans overwhelmingly name the Bible (79%). This proportion is more than seven
times the popularity of the next most frequently mentioned holy book, the Koran (12%).
Awareness of the Koran has risen four percentages points during the past year, from 8% in 2013.
While relatively rare, other books considered to be holy include the Torah (7%) and the Book of
Mormon (5%). Adults who identify with non-Christian faith groups or are atheist or agnostic are
more likely than average to mention the Koran (20%) and the Book of Mormon (11%). A total of
13% of adults do not regard any book as sacred text, and another 4% said they were not sure.
Compared to 2013, those who mention the Bible as sacred has remained statistically unchanged.
While the difference from 2013 to 2014 is not statistically significant, it does continue the
decline of the Bible’s mention since 2011 (86% in 2011 to 79% in 2014).
Boomers (ages 49 to 67) and Elders (ages 68 plus) are more likely to regard the Bible as sacred.
Millennials (18 to 29) are the least likely generational segment to regard the Bible as sacred
literature. Additionally, Millennials (18-29) are more likely than average to say they do not
consider any book sacred or holy (19%) or are unable to name a book that is sacred or holy
(10%).
Books Considered Sacred or Holy
Bible 79%
Koran 12%
Torah 7%
Book of Mormon 5%
other 5%
none 13%
not sure 4%
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Barna Group
[Table 1.2 | Beliefs about the Bible | p. 29]

Half of Americans (50%) strongly agree that the Bible contains everything a person needs to
know to live a meaningful life. Elders and Boomers are more likely to believe this, while
Millennials are less likely to believe it. The percent who agree with this statement is statistically
unchanged from 2013 (47%). Agreement with this statement has rebounded slightly since it was
first measured in 2011 (53%).
Americans were also asked their views on whether or not they agree that the Bible, the Koran
and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same spiritual truths. Just 18% of
Americans strongly agree with this statement. The percentage of adults in strong agreement with
this statement has remained statistically unchanged since 2011 (17%). The oldest generation,
Elders, are least likely to agree strongly (13%), while the youngest generation, Millennials, are
more likely than average to agree strongly (23%).
[Table 1.3 | The Bible’s Role in US Society | p. 30]

Half of adults (50%) believe the Bible has too little influence in US society today—more than
three times the proportion of those who think it has too much influence (16%). Three out of 10
adults (30%) consider the Bible’s role and influence to be just right, while the remaining 6% are
not sure. The number of adults who feel the Bible has too little influence has decreased by six-
percentage points since 2013, which is statistically significant. The number of adults who feel the
Bible has too much influence has increased in 2014 from 13% in 2013. Similarly, adults who feel
the Bible has just the right amount of influence in US society has increased slightly from 26% in
2013. Those who say the Bible has too much influence and those who feel it is just right are on
par with 2011 numbers.
Practicing Protestants and practicing Catholics are more inclined to believe the Bible has too
little influence, while those of a non-Christian faith or with no religious faith are far more likely
to think the Bible is too influential. Non-practicing Christians are more likely than average to say
they feel the influence is just right (36%).
As in previous years, there is a generational gap in how people feel about the influence of the
Bible in society. Boomers and Elders say the Bible does not have enough influence. Millennials
are far more likely than average to say the Bible has too much influence (30% compared to 50%
of all adults). The percent of Millennials who believe the Bible has too little influence has
declined significantly from 2011 when 44% of Millennials said the Bible has too little influence
on society.
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Barna Group
Influence of Bible in US Society Today

too little influence just right too much influence not sure
6%
13%
56%
26%
Influence of the Bible in US Society

too little influence too much influence
61%
54%
52%
50%
30%
26%
16% 15% 14%

6%
all adults Millennials (18-29) Buster (30-48) Boomer (49-67) Elder (68 plus)
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Barna Group
2. BIBLE PENETRATION
[Table 2.1 | Bible Ownership | p. 31]
[Table 2.2 | Bible Ownership: Segmentation | p. 32]
The vast majority of adults (88%) say their household owns a Bible. Elders and Boomers are
more likely to have a Bible in their homes, while Millennials are less likely. Virtually all
practicing Protestants and Catholics say they own a Bible. Non-practicing Christians also
showed a significantly higher number of households that own a Bible (93%).
Not surprisingly, those who do not consider themselves to be Christian are far less likely than
average to say their household owns a Bible (65%). Bible ownership has remained statistically
unchanged since the 2011 measurement.
Bible ownership has decreased over the past two decades, from 92% in 1993 to 88% 2014.
Bible Ownership
yes no
12%
88%
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Barna Group
[Table 2.3 | Number of Bibles Owned | p. 33]

American Bible owners have an average of three Bibles in their home (median of 3.4). A total of
17% of Bible owners have one Bible; 35% have two to three Bibles; 22% have four to five
Bibles; and 27% have six or more Bibles in their household. The number of Bibles Americans
own has remained unchanged since 2011.
Number of Bibles Owned

% among households that own a Bible
4.7
4.5 4.4
4.3
3.4 3.5 3.4

3.3
2011 2012 2013 2014
mean median
[Table 2.4 | Bible Purchases | p. 33]

Among US adults, 13% purchased a Bible in the past 12 months. This is statistically the same as
purchases made in 2012 and 2013. Practicing Protestants are more likely to say they purchased a
Bible during the past year. Non-practicing Christians and those who align themselves with a faith
other than Christianity, as well as those who are atheist or agnostic, are less likely to have
purchased a Bible in 2013.
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Barna Group
3. BIBLE E NGAGEMENT
Please note that many of the questions in this section were applicable only to those who read the
Bible. “Bible readers” are defined as those who read the Bible as frequently as daily to as
infrequently as three or four times a year.
[Table 3.1 | Bible Readers | p. 33]

[Table 3.2 | Bible Readers: Segmentation | p. 34]
One-fourth of adults (26%) say they never read the Bible. One in 10 (9%) read it less than once a
year and about the same number (11%) read it only once or twice a year, not including times
when they are at a church service or church event. These three segments combined represent
non-Bible readers (46%).
The total proportion of Bible readers—that is, those who read the Bible at least three to four
times a year—is 53%. Fifteen percent of adults say they read the Bible daily. Another 13% spend
time in Scripture several times per week; 9% read it once a week; 8% read the Bible once a
month; and 8% read it three to four times a year.
Elders are the most avid readers, with 24% reporting they read the Bible daily. Boomers are also
more likely to read the Bible daily (20%) compared to Millennials and Busters. Residents of the
South are more likely than residents of the Northeast, Midwest or West to read the Bible daily.
There have been no significant changes in the past three years in how often people report reading
the Bible.
Bible Readership More Likely Among

Older Americans and in the South
66% 63%
53% 57% 53%
46% 48%
40%
Millennials Busters Boomers Elders (68+) South Northeast Midwest West

(18-29) (30-48) (49-67)
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Barna Group
[Table 3.3 | Time Spent Reading the Bible | p. 35]

The average Bible reader spends 30 minutes (median) reading the Bible at each sitting. One in
seven (15%) spend less than 15 minutes per sitting. Nearly an equal proportion of adults spend
15-29 minutes (26%), 30-44 minutes (30%) and 45 minutes or more (28%) at one sitting.
There are no statistical differences by generation or faith engagement in the number of minutes
readers spend reading the Bible. However, the percent of Bible readers who spend an hour or
more in one sitting reading the Bible are more likely than average to be notional Christians, non-
born-again Christians, non-practicing Christians, and Bible-neutral adults (29%). These same
segments are reading the Bible less frequently than Bible readers on average, but when they do
they are more likely to read for longer periods of time.
[Table 3.4 | Preferred Bible Version | pp. 36-37]

One-third of Bible readers (34%) say they most often read the King James Version of the Bible.
Since tracking began in 2011, the KJV has seen a nine-point decrease in percentage of people
who read it most often (45% in 2011 to 34% in 2014). Far fewer say they prefer the New
International Version (13%) or the New King James Version (10%). The English Standard
version is read by 6% of Bible readers, while the New Living Translation is read by 4%. All
other translations were mentioned by 3% or fewer Bible readers. Boomers are more likely to
mention the King James Version while Millennials are less likely to do so.
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Barna Group
Bible Version Read Most Often

% among Bible readers
King James Version 34%
New International Version 13%
New King James Version 10%
English Standard Version 6%
New Living Translation 4%
New Revised Standard Version 3%
all others (2% or less combined) 19%
not sure 11%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
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Barna Group
[Table 3.5 | Motivations for Reading the Bible | p. 38]

Bible readers were presented with a list of possible reasons for reading the Bible. More than half
(56%) say that reading it brings them closer to God. Far fewer spend time in Scripture because
they have a problem they need to solve or need direction (17%) or need comfort (15%). While
the percent of those who say they read the Bible because it brings them closer to God has
increased by three percentage points (from 53% in 2013 to 56% in 2014), it ranks statistically
lower than when tracking first began (64% in 2011, 55% in 2012, 53% in 2013 and 56% in
2014). Practicing Protestants are more likely than average say their top motivation for reading
the Bible is that it brings them closer to God (65%).
[Table 3.6 | Level of Bible Use | p. 39]

[Table 3.7 | Desire for Bible Reading | p. 40]
When asked how much they use the Bible today versus how much they used the Bible a year
ago, the majority of adults (71%) said their level of use has remained the same. Eighteen percent
said their level of use has increased. Only 9% said their personal level of use has decreased and
1% were unsure. There has been no significant change in Bible readership among US adults in
the past year. Among Bible readers, one-third (33%) say their Bible reading has increased in the
previous year, compared to 57% who say it has remained the same and 9% who report their level
of use has decreased.
Three out of five adults (62%) say they wish they read the Bible more, statistically on par with
2013 findings (61%), but a significant decrease from 2011 (67%).
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Barna Group
[Table 3.8 | Reasons for Bible Engagement | p. 41]

[Table 3.9 | Reasons for Bible Disengagement | p. 42]
A follow-up question was asked among adults who said they had either increased or decreased
their Bible reading: why had such an increase or decrease occurred?
Among adults who increased their Bible reading, more than half (53%) say they came to
understand the importance of Bible reading as part of their faith journey. Another 41% say they
had experienced something difficult in their life that caused them to turn to the Bible to search
for direction or answers, while another 17% believe a significant life change caused them to turn
to the Bible more. One in four (26%) say their increase in Bible reading was because they had
downloaded the Bible onto their smartphone or tablet.
Being too busy with life’s responsibilities was the number one reason (40%) Bible readers gave
for their decrease in Bible engagement compared to one year ago. Less than half as many (17%)
experienced a significant change in their life that caused them to engage in the Bible less often.
Roughly one in seven say they became an atheist or agnostic (15%) or underwent a difficult
experience that caused them to doubt their faith (13%).
[Tables 3.10 | Frustrations with Bible Reading | p. 43]

When presented with a number of potential frustrations with reading the Bible, close to half of
adults (47%) who read the Bible at least once a week say they never seem to have enough time to
read it, up seven points from 2013. Other Bible readers cited finding the language difficult to
relate to (8%); not understanding the background or history of the Bible (8%); and never finding
the stories or verse they are looking for (6%). Just 1% do not feel excited to read it.
One in four Bible readers (25%) say they have no frustrations in reading the Bible. This is a
significant decrease from 2013 (31%); however, it is on par with 2011 (23%) and 2012 (25%).
When the sample size is expanded to include all adults and not just weekly Bible readers, the
proportion of adults who say they have no frustrations with reading the Bible shows a significant
decrease from 22% in 2013 to 17% in 2014. More adults this year (35%) than in 2013 (30%) cite
lack of time to read the Bible as a top frustration.
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Barna Group
[Table 3.11 | Favorable Emotions When Reading the Bible | p. 44]

[Table 3.12 | Unfavorable Emotions When Reading the Bible | p. 45]
Any adult who had ever read the Bible was presented with possible favorable and unfavorable
emotions they may have experienced the last time they read the Bible. Respondents were asked
to choose which emotions they had experienced from a list of descriptions. More than one
answer was allowed for these questions.
Three in five adults (60%) say they did not experience any unfavorable emotions while reading
the Bible. Just 11% said they did not feel any favorable emotions while reading the Bible. This
suggests the general feeling of those who have read the Bible have more positive than negative
emotions. Millennials are more likely than average to report such negative emotions as confusion
(21%), doubt (11%), boredom (16%) and discouragement (9%). They are also less likely to say
they feel encouraged or inspired (24%). Boomers are more likely feel hopeful (34%), while
Elders are more likely than average to say they feel peaceful (49%) and encouraged or inspired
(42%).
The top three unfavorable emotions mentioned were feeling confused (15%), overwhelmed (9%)
and doubtful (6%). Non-practicing Christians are more likely to say they feel confused (18%),
while non-Christian and adults of no faith are more likely to say they feel bored (11%).
The top three favorable emotions mentioned were feeling at peace (42%), encouraged or inspired
(33%) and hopeful (29%). Slightly more adults said they felt peaceful and happy in 2014 than in
2013. The proportion of those who felt no favorable emotions when reading the Bible has
increased significantly in 2014 (from 3% in 2013 to 11% in 2014).
[Table 3.13 | Applying the Bible to Life | p. 46]

In a separate inquiry among those adults who read the Bible in the past week, 57% say they gave
a lot of thought to how it might apply to their life, down significantly from 65% in 2013. More
than one-third (37%) say they gave some thought to its applicability, up from 28% in 2013. Only
5% did not give any thought to how the Bible might apply to their life, which is on par with
2013.
Practicing Protectants were more likely than practicing Catholics to say they gave a lot of
thought to how the Bible might apply to their life (64% and 42%, respectively).
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Barna Group
[Table 3.14 | Use of Bible Formats | p. 47]

Bible readers were asked about a variety of ways in which the Bible is available and asked
whether or not they had used that format in the past year. Nine out of 10 Bible readers (89%) say
they read on their own from a print version of the Bible, the most prevalent by far of the formats
tested. Less than half of Bible readers used the Internet to read Bible content (44%) or attended a
small group or Bible study (44%) where they studied the Bible in a group (not including during
weekend church worship services).
One in three Bible readers (35%) say they searched for Bible verses or Bible content on a smart
phone or cell phone; 29% listened to a teaching about the Bible via podcast; 25% listened to an
audio version of the Bible; and 24% read an electronic version of the Bible on an e-reader such
as a Kindle or iPad.
Although the number of Bible readers who read on their own from a print version of the Bible
remains high at 89%, the data shows a continuing shift to digital formats. The number of readers
who use their smart phone or cell phone to search for Bible content has increased each year, with
a six percent increase from 2013 (18% in 2011, 23% in 2012, 29% in 2013 and 35% in 2014).
Use of the Internet to find Bible content has also increased, up three percent from 2013. While
the change is within the range of sampling error, it does represent a gradual increase since
tracking began in 2011 (37% in 2011, 38% in 2012, 41% in 2013 and 44% in 2014). One-quarter
of adults use an e-reader such as Kindle or iPad to read Bible content (24% in 2014 compared to
17% in 2013).
Use of the Bible via small group studies has leveled off from a high of 53% in 2011 to its current
level of 44%. Listening to audio versions of the Bible has also decreased (30% in 2012 to 26% in
2013).
Not surprisingly, Millennials and Busters are more likely than their older counterparts to use
digital media for Bible content.
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Barna Group
Preferred Bible Formats

2011 2012 2013 2014
89%
89%
print
90%
89%
53%
47%
small group
44%
37%
38%
Internet
44%
28%
30%
audio
29%
24%
26%
podcast
29%
18%
23%
smart phone / cellphone
35%
12%
15%
e-reader such as a Kindle or iPad
24%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
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Barna Group
[Table 3.15 | Smartphone or Mobile Phone Ownership | p. 49]

[Table 3.16 | Use of Bible Apps | p. 49]
Three out of four Americans (75%) own a smartphone or mobile phone. Of those who have a
mobile phone, 21% have downloaded a Bible app. Elders (2%) and Boomers (14%) are less
likely than average to have downloaded an app, as are non-practicing Christians (16%) and other
faith and no-faith groups (14%). More than one-third of practicing Protestant mobile phone users
(36%) report downloading a Bible app, which represents a significant increase since 2013 (15%).
[Table 3.17 | Preferred Bible Format | p. 50]

Despite the rise in digital technologies, Bible readers overwhelmingly prefer to read a print
version (84%) over digital (10%), audio (5%), video (<1%) or other types of Bible formats (1%).
While Busters are the generation least likely to prefer print versions, three out of four (75%) still
list print versions as the format they prefer most.
Boomers (4%) and Elders (1%) are less likely than average to prefer digital formats compared to
Busters (17%) and Millennials (15%).
Americans Still Prefer Printed Bibles

print digital audio all others
1%
5%
10%
84%
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Barna Group
4. BIBLE LITERACY
[Table 4.1 | Self-Assessment of Biblical Knowledge | p. 51]
[Table 4.2 | Highly Knowledgeable about the Bible: Segmentation | p. 52]
The majority of adults (69%) consider themselves moderately or somewhat knowledgeable about
the Bible. Twelve percent of adults say they are highly knowledgeable; 12% say not too
knowledgeable; and 6% say not at all knowledgeable. These percentages are on par with 2013
findings.
Self-Reported Knowledge of Bible

highly knowledgeable moderately / somewhat knowledgeable
not too knowledgeable not at all knowledgeable
not sure
1%
6% 13%
12%
69%
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Barna Group
[Table 4.3 | Bible as Literal or Inspired Word of God | pp. 53-54]

Presented with a number of possible descriptions of the Bible, more adults believe it to be
inspired (with some symbolism) than literal. Three in 10 adults (30%) say the Bible is the
inspired word of God and has no errors, although some verses are meant to be symbolic. Another
23% consider it to be the actual Word of God that should be taken literally, word for word.
A smaller proportion of adults (15%) think the Bible is the inspired word of God but that it has
some factual or historical errors.
Eighteen percent of adults express strong skepticism of Scripture, stating that it is just another
book of teachings written by men that contains stories and advice. Ten percent believe Scripture
is not inspired by God but just a book that tells how its writers understood the ways and
principles of God. Just 3% of adults were unable to select from the five available options as a
response that match their opinion.
Both practicing Catholics (50%) and Protestants (40%) are more inclined to believe the Bible is
the inspired Word of God with some symbolism, but practicing Protestants are also more likely
than average to consider the Bible to be the actual, literal Word of God (41%). Non-practicing
Christians are more likely to believe Scripture is inspired but has errors (18%). More than one-
half of those of non-Christian faiths or no faith are more likely to believe the Bible is just another
book of teachings written by men (51%). Non-practicing Christians (14%) are also more likely
than average to believe the Bible is not inspired and tells how writers understood the ways and
principles of God.
While the 2014 study did not reveal any significant changes in the adults who believe in the
Bible’s accuracy, the percent of adults who believe the Bible is just another book of good
teachings has increased from 11% in 2007 to its current level of 18%.
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Barna Group
Beliefs about the Bible as the Literal or

Inspired Word of God
2007 2011 2012 2013 2014
30%
inspired word of God, has no errors, some verses are meant 31%
28%
to be symbolic 27%
30%
26%
actual word of God and should be taken literally, word for 24%
24%
word 22%
23%
11%
just another book of teachings written by men that contain 12%
16%
stories and advice 16%
18%
11%
14%
inspired word of God, has factual or historical errors 14%
15%
15%
11%
not inspired by God, tells how writers understood the ways 8%
8%
and principles of God 10%
10%
0%
2%
other 2%
2%
2%
5%
9%
not sure 9%
9%
3%
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Barna Group
[Table 4.4 | Knowledge of the First Five Books of the Bible| p. 55]
One in four US adults (43%) can correctly name “Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy” as the first five books of the Bible. This number rises to 69% among practicing
Protestants. The percent of practicing Protestants who can correctly name the first five books
increased in 2014 from 61% in 2013. Just 30% of non-practicing Christians answered correctly
compared to 42% of other faith and no-faith groups. The percent of adults who correctly named
the first five books of the Bible has remained statistically unchanged from 2013 (42%). One-
third of Americans (33%) were unsure.
[Table 4.5 | Knowledge of the Bible’s Teaching | pp. 56-57]

Americans were asked whether or not they felt the Bible encourages, discourages it or is silent
about 10 specific attitudes or behaviors. The most common behaviors Americans feel the Bible
strongly encourages are forgiveness (80%), generosity (70%) and patience (69%). Millennials
are less likely to agree the Bible strongly encourages these behaviors, and more likely to say the
Bible is silent on forgiveness and patience.
Roughly half of all Americans feel the Bible strongly discourages prostitution (58%),
homosexual or same-sex relationships (57%), pornography (52%) and gambling (49%). Elders
are most likely to feel the Bible strongly discourages homosexual or same-sex relationships.
While more than half of all adults believe the next tier of behaviors is discouraged in the Bible,
no more than one in three Americans feel strongly that the Bible discourages these behaviors.
One in three (34%) feel the Bible strongly discourages slavery; 28% feel war is strongly
discouraged; and 25% believe the Bible speaks strongly against the repression of women.
In contrast, relatively few adults believe the Bible is silent on the 10 issues. At least one in five
adults believe the Bible is silent on pornography (34%), gambling (23%), homosexual or same-
sex relationships (21%) and repression of women (24%).
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Barna Group
5. M ORAL DECLINE AND SOCIAL I MPACT

[Table 5.1 | Belief that Morality Is on the Decline in America | p. 58]
[Table 5.2 | Cause of Moral Decline | p. 59]
More than four out of five US adults (81%) believe that morality is on the decline in America.
Although highest among Elders (89%), no less than seven out of 10 adults from each generation
see a decline. Practicing Protestants (91%) and Catholics (87%) are also more likely to agree that
morality is declining. Millennials (74%) and non-Christian and no-faith groups (61%) are less
likely to believe it.
Those who agreed that the morals of Americans are declining were asked to identify which of
three reasons is most responsible for the decline. One-quarter of US adults (29%) say the lack of
Bible reading is the primary cause, while one-third (33%) blame the negative influence of
television and music. Another one in three point to corruption from corporate greed (29%) as the
main cause. Compared to 2013 (32%), fewer adults in 2014 (26%) believe a lack of Bible
reading is the cause of moral decline in America.
Boomers are more likely to cite a lack of Bible reading as the cause of moral decline (32%),
while Millennials are more likely to identify corruption from corporate greed (47%).
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Barna Group
6. GIVING TO N ON-P ROFIT O RGANIZATIONS

[Table 6.1 | Donations to Non-Profit Organizations | p. 60]
[Table 6.2 |
Three out of four adults (75%) say they gave to a charity or non-profit organization, including a
church or religious organization, during the previous year. This represents a statistically
significant increase from the number of adults who gave to a non-profit organization in 2013.
Millennials were more likely than average to say they had not given any money to a non-profit;
Boomers and Elders were less likely to say they did not give money to non-profits.
The average (median) adult gave $200 to such organizations in 2013, double the amount adults
reported giving in 2012. Millennials gave the least amount of money ($30 on average), with non-
practicing Christians ($100) and other faith groups and no faith groups ($50) also giving below
average. Practicing Protestants ($1,500) and practicing Catholics ($1,000) were above average in
their giving.
Non-Profit Giving by Age

median annual dollar amount
$1,600.00
$1,400.00
$1,200.00
$1,000.00
$800.00
$600.00
$400.00
$200.00
$-
Millennials Busters Boomers Elders
total
(18-29) (30-48) (49-67) (68 plus)
All adults $200.00 $30.00 $300.00 $300.00 $800.00
Bible Readers $600.00 $100.00 $1,000.00 $800.00 $1,500.00
Non-Bible Readers $100.00 $10.00 $100.00 $125.00 $200.00
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
A PPENDIX I
1. BIBLE PERCEPTIONS
Table 1.1 | Sacred Literature
Question: To start with, what books, if any, do you consider sacred literature or holy books? (MULTIPLE
RESPONSE)
Generation practicing faith non-practicing faith

Millenni other
all al Buster Boomer Elder Protes- Cath- Chris- faith /
adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
the Bible 79% 64% 79% 85% 89% 96% 91% 85% 47%
the Koran 12 14 15 10 7 7 9 12 20
Torah 7 8 10 5 2 4 5 7 14
Book of Mormon 5 6 7 3 5 3 0 4 11
other 5 7 3 5 6 3 6 4 8
none 13 19 14 11 7 1 6 9 35
not sure 4 10 3 3 3 2 1 3 9
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
Note: A () or () sign indicates that data for that segment is statistically significantly higher or lower than the total response for all adults.
Differences are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level or higher.
2011 2012 2013 2014

the Bible 86% 82% 80% 79%
the Koran 10 10 8 12
Torah 4 6 4 7
Book of Mormon 4 5 3 5
other 3 3 4 5
none 7 11 12 13
not sure 3 3 6 4
n= 1,011 1,020 1,005 1,012
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 1.2 | Beliefs about the Bible

Question: I would like to read some statements about sacred literature and would like to know whether you
agree or disagree with each statement?
Non-practicing
Generation Practicing faith faith
Millenn- other
all ial Buster Boomer Elder Prot- Cath- Chris- faith /
% agree strongly adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ estant olic tian no faith
the Bible contains everything
a person needs to know to 50% 35% 49% 55% 63% 79% 60% 48% 16%
live a meaningful life
the Bible, the Koran, and the
book of Mormon all are
18 23 18 19 13 12 21 20 22
different expressions of the
same spiritual truths*
*online + telephone sample size= 2,008 420 658 619 278 488 178 822 450
telephone sample size= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
* denotes questions asked in the online survey and the telephone survey.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 1.2 | Beliefs about the Bible (continued)
2011 2012 2013 2014

the Bible contains everything a
person needs to know to live a
meaningful life
agree strongly 53% 48% 47% 50%
agree somewhat 22 21 19 19
disagree somewhat 11 15 14 16
disagree strongly 12 12 17 14
not sure 2 5 3 2
the Bible, the Koran, and the
Book of Mormon are all different
expressions of the same spiritual
truths*
agree strongly 17 15 16 18
agree somewhat 33 31 31 29
disagree somewhat 17 18 19 15
disagree strongly 28 28 28 29
not sure 6 8 7 9
*online + telephone sample size= 1,982 1,969 2,030 2,008
telephone sample size= 1,011 1,020 1,005 1,012
* denotes questions asked in the online survey and the telephone survey.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 1.3 | The Bible’s Role in U.S Society

Question: Some people believe that the Bible should have a greater role in US society today, while others
believe that the Bible should have less influence. Do you think the Bible has too much, too little, or just the
right amount of influence in U.S. society today?

Millenn- other
all ial Buster Boomer Elder Protes- Cath- Chris- faith /
too little influence 50% 30% 52% 54% 61% 73% 59% 49% 21%
just right 30 37 28 26 28 20 32 36 27
too much influence 16 26 15 14 6 2 6 10 46
not sure 6 7 5 6 5 5 3 5 6
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
2011 2012 2013 2014

too little influence 54% 47% 56% 50%
just right 28 29 26 30
too much influence 13 16 13 16
not sure 5 7 6 6
n= 1,011 1,020 1,005 1,012
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
2. BIBLE PENETRATION
Table 2.1. | Bible Ownership
Question: Does your household own a Bible?

Millenn other
all -ial Buster Boomer Elder Prot- Cath- Chris- faith /
adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ estant olic tian no faith
yes 88% 80% 87% 92% 95% 100% 98% 93% 65%
no 12 20 13 8 6 0 2 7 35
online + telephone sample size= 2,028 427 666 623 280 490 178 827 458
* indicates less than one-half of one percent
1993* 2011 2012 2013 2014

yes 92% 88% 85% 88% 88%
no 8 12 15 12 12
n= 601 2,011 2,014 2,071 2,028
* Historical data collected by telephone interviews; 2011-2014 data collected by telephone and online surveys.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 2.2 | Bible Ownership: Segmentation
Segmentation Analysis: Household Owns a Bible

(average 88%)
Above average ownership …
 evangelicals (100%)
 practicing Protestants (100%)
 Bible readers (99%)
 non-evangelical born agains (99%)
 born again Christians (99%)
 practicing Catholics (98%)
 Protestants (98%)
 weekly church attenders (98%)
 Bible engagement: engaged (98%)
 marginally churched adults (96%)
 self-identified Christians (95%)
 Bible engagement: friendly (95%)
 Elders, ages 68 or older (95%)
 Catholics (93%)
 non-practicing Christians (93%)
 notional Christians (92%)
 married adults (92%)
 Boomers, ages 49-67 (92%)
 women (91%)
 adults with some college experience, no degree (91%)
 adults who have experienced a divorce (91%)
 residents of the South (91%)
 residents of the Midwest (91%)
Below average ownership …
 atheists and agnostics (55%)

 non-self-identified Christians (62%)
 those aligned with non-Christian faith groups (64%)
 Bible engagement: skeptic (66%)
 non-Bible readers (76%)
 unchurched adults (77%)
 Millennials, ages 18-29 (80%)
 non-born agains (82%)
 never marrieds (82%)
 residents of the Northeast (85%)
 residents of the West (85%)
 single adults (85%)
 men (86%)
 college graduates (86%)
All differences listed are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level or higher.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 2.3 | Number of Bibles Owned

Question: How many Bibles, in total, does your household own?

Millenn- other
all ial Buster Boomer Elder Protes Cath- Chris- faith /
% own a Bible (without don’t know) adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ -tant olic tian no faith
one 17% 22% 20% 14% 12% 4% 13% 22% 30%
two to three 35 39 31 35 35 23 45 39 31
four to five 22 20 24 19 23 25 31 19 18
six or more 27 20 25 32 31 47 12 20 21
mean 4.7 4.4 4.4 5.0 5.0 6.8 4.0 3.9 3.6
median 3.4 3.0 3.4 3.6 3.8 5.3 3.1 2.9 2.8
n= 898 179 293 274 134 259 92 389 131
% own a Bible (without don’t know) 2011 2012 2013 2014

mean 4.5 4.3 4.4 4.7
median 3.4 3.3 3.5 3.4
n= 901 875 892 898
Table 2.4 | Bible Purchases

Question: Did you purchase a Bible in 2013?

Millenn- other
yes 13% 13% 15% 12% 10% 22% 17% 9% 7%
no 87 87 86 88 90 78 83 91 93
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
2012 2013 2014

yes 14% 15% 13%
no 86 85 87
n= 1,020 1,005 1,012
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
3. BIBLE E NGAGEMENT
Table 3.1 | Bible Readers
Question: How often, if ever, do you actually read the Bible, not including times when you are at a church
service or church event?

Millenn- other
never 26% 39% 25% 23% 18% 2% 12% 25% 58%
less than once a year 9 9 9 9 7 2 6 12 11
once or twice a year 11 13 12 8 7 3 14 15 9
three or four times a year 8 5 10 8 7 4 14 10 5
once a month 8 11 9 8 7 9 13 9 3
once a week 9 9 10 7 10 16 15 8 3
several times/4+ times a week 13 9 13 15 18 28 16 9 6
every day 15 7 12 19 24 35 7 11 6
not sure 2 0 1 3 3 1 4 2 *
online + telephone sample size n= 2,027 425 665 623 281 491 177 827 459
2011 2012 2013 2014

never 25% 26% 26% 26%
less than once a year 13 10 12 9
once or twice a year 11 10 10 11
three or four times a year 8 9 9 8
once a month 8 8 7 8
once a week 8 7 8 9
several times/4+ times a week 15 13 13 13
every day 11 13 13 15
not sure 3 5 1 2
online + telephone sample size= 2,014 2,011 2,068 2,027
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.2 | Bible Readers: Segmentation
Segmentation Analysis: Bible Readers*

(average 53%)
Above average readership …
 evangelicals (100%)
 practicing Protestants (92%)
 born again Christians (83%)
 non-evangelical born agains (79%)
 Protestant, non-mainline attenders (79%)
 marginally church (72%)
 African-Americans (66%)
 Elders, ages 68 or older (66%)
 practicing Catholics (65%)
 Protestant, mainline attenders (64%)
 Bible-engagement: friendly (63%)
 self-identified Christians (63%)
 residents of the South (63%)
 women (60%)
 married adults (58%)
 adults who have experienced a divorce (58%)
 Boomers, ages 49-67 (57%)
Above average readership …
 atheists and agnostics (4%)

 Bible skeptic (11%)
 adults who do not identify as Christian (17%)
 adults aligned with non-Christian faith groups (22%)
 unchurched adults (26%)
non-born agains (35%)
 Bible engagement: neutral (39%)
 Millennials, ages 18-29 (40%)
 never marrieds (42%)
 Catholics (45%)
 non-practicing Christians (46%)
 residents of the Northeast (46%)
 men (46%)
 households earning $75K or more annually (47%)
 single adults (48%)
 residents of the West (48%)
 notional Christians (48%)
* Bible readers are defined as those who report reading the Bible at least 3-4 times annually.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.3 | Time Spent Reading the Bible

Question: What is the average amount of time you spend reading the Bible at each sitting?

Millenn- other
% among Bible readers adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
less than 15 minutes 15% 15% 19% 14% 9% 14% 8% 18% 13%
15-29 minutes 26 22 28 30 23 34 23 18 32
30-44 minutes 30 36 28 27 35 27 38 33 31
45-59 minutes 7 4 5 9 9 8 8 5 6
1 hour or more 21 23 20 21 25 18 23 27 18
mean 35.3 37.6 32.0 34.1 41.8 31.1 35.9 38.4 41.9
median 29.8 29.9 29.6 29.8 30.1 29.6 30.0 29.9 29.7
n= 569 93 190 183 96 238 60 204 53
* Don’t know has been removed from the base of responses.
2013 2014
less than 15 minutes 15% 15%
15-29 minutes 27 26
30-44 minutes 26 30
45-59 minutes 8 7
1 hour or more 24 21
mean 36.0 35.3
median 29.8 29.8
n= 568 569
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.4 | Preferred Bible Version

Question: There are many versions or translations of the Bible available these days. As far as you know, what
is the version or translation of the Bible you read most often?

Millenn- other
% Bible reader adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
King James Version 34% 24% 29% 40% 38% 38% 18% 35% 31%
New International Version 13 8 20 12 10 21 1 11 3
New King James Version 10 7 12 11 10 14 8 9 2
English Standard Version 6 16 6 3 3 5 2 6 11
New Living Translation 4 9 3 2 1 4 0 4 6
New Revised Standard Version 3 0 4 2 7 4 5 3 0
New American Bible 2 4 0 2 3 1 8 1 0
New American Standard Bible 2 3 2 2 3 2 4 3 0
Contemporary English Version 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 4
Today’s New International Version 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 2
New International Reader’s Version 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
Good News Translation * 2 0 * 0 0 1 1 0
Amplified Bible * 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
The Message * 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
Holman Christian Standard Bible 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Century Version 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
other 11 14 12 9 12 4 29 10 27
don’t know, unsure 11 11 10 12 11 5 23 11 13
none 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
n= 590 93 192 190 104 247 63 212 53
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.4 | Preferred Bible Version (cont’d)
% Bible reader 2011 2012 2013 2014

King James Version 45% 39% 38% 34%
New International Version 10 11 11 13
New King James Version 10 12 14 10
New American Standard Bible 2 2 1 2
New Revised Standard Version 1 2 2 3
English Standard Version 3 6 3 6
New Living Translation 2 2 2 4
Amplified Bible 2 1 * *
Contemporary English Version 1 1 * 1
New American Bible 1 2 2 2
New International Reader’s Version 1 1 1 1
The Message 1 0 * *
Good News Translation * 0 * *
New Century Version * 1 0 0
Holman Christian Standard Bible 0 1 * 0
Today’s New International Version 0 2 2 1
other 8 6 10 11
don’t know, unsure 12 9 13 11
n= 633 597 603 590
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.5 | Motivations for Reading the Bible

Question: I’d like to read a few reasons that people may read the Bible. Please tell me which statement is
most true for you?

Millenn- other
% Bible reader adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
it brings me closer to God 56% 48% 55% 61% 59% 65% 59% 49% 55%
I have a problem I need to solve or

17 25 19 16 11 12 21 19 28
I need direction
I need comfort 15 11 18 11 19 13 13 19 7
I know I’m supposed to 4 7 2 4 5 4 1 4 2
it is part of my studies at school 3 6 3 3 3 3 4 4 5
not sure 4 4 3 6 4 4 2 4 3
n= 590 93 192 190 104 247 63 212 53
% Bible reader 2011 2012 2013 2014

it brings me closer to God 64% 55% 53% 56%
I need comfort 14 10 14 15
I have a problem I need to solve or

12 17 18 17
I need direction
I know I’m supposed to 3 5 6 4
it is part of my studies at school 3 3 4 3
not sure / none 4 9 12 4

n= 633 597 603 590
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.6 | Level of Bible Use

Question: Would you say that your own personal use of the Bible has increased, decreased, or is about the
same as one year ago?

Millenn- other
stayed the same 71% 64% 74% 74% 71% 55% 72% 75% 81%
increased 18 19 17 20 20 36 22 14 9
decreased 9 15 8 7 8 8 3 11 9
not sure 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 * 2
online + telephone sample size n= 2,027 425 666 523 280 491 178 827 457
* indicates less than one-half of on percent
2014
2014 com-
2012 2013 phone bined
stayed the same 58% 63% 70% 71%
increased 27 26 20 18
decreased 12 9 9 9
not sure 3 2 2 1
n= 1,020 1,005 1,012 2,027
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.7 | Desire for Bible Reading

Question: Do you wish that you read the Bible more or not?

Millenn- other
yes 62% 52% 66% 61% 68% 85% 81% 62% 24%
no 36 45 33 36 30 14 17 35 75
don’t know 2 3 1 3 2 1 1 4 2
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
2011 2012 2013 2014

yes 67% 60% 61% 62%
no 31 38 37 36
don’t know 2 2 2 2
n= 1,011 1,020 1,005 1,012
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.8 | Reasons for Bible Engagement

Question: What do you think caused the increase in your Bible engagement (MULTIPLE RESPONSE)
% who experienced an increase in engagement

came to understand it as an important
53%
part of my faith journey
difficult experience in my life caused me

to search the Bible for direction / 41
answers
downloaded the Bible onto my

26
smartphone or tablet
significant change in my life (marriage,

17
birth of child, etc.)
saw how the Bible changed someone

15
I know for the better
someone I know asked me to read the

14
Bible with them
media conversations around religion

14
and spirituality
joined a group that used the Bible when

13
they met
went to a church where the Bible

13
became more accessible to me
listened to a church podcast / streaming 12
watched the Bible mini-series on

11
television
conversation with a Christian friend 11
other 17
n= 119
Note: due to the limited sample size, segmentation is not shown.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.9 | Reasons for Bible Disengagement

Question: What do you think caused the decrease in your Bible engagement (MULTIPLE RESPONSE)
% who experienced a decrease in engagement

too busy with life’s responsibilities (job,
40%
family, etc.)
had a significant change in my life (loss

17
of job, death of a loved one, etc.)
became atheist or agnostic 15
difficult experience in my life caused me

13
to doubt my faith (or God / Bible)
saw how reading the Bible made very

little difference in the life of someone I 8
know
decided to leave the church altogether 4
converted to another faith 4
media discussions around religion and

1
spirituality
0
conversation with a non-Christian friend
other 16
n= 93
Note: due to the limited sample size, segmentation is not shown.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Tables 3.10 | Frustrations with Bible Reading

Question: Which of the following would you say is your most significant frustration when it comes to reading
the Bible?

Millenn- other
never have enough time to read it 35% 26% 43% 34% 30% 50% 44% 35% 15%
none / no frustrations 17 7 12 23 33 25 15 15 13
language is difficult to relate to 11 12 12 11 9 7 17 15 7
don’t feel excited about reading it 10 17 10 7 8 2 5 11 20
can never find the stories or verses

7 12 6 5 5 3 3 6 11
you are looking for
don’t understand background or
7 10 8 5 4 9 7 8 2
history of the Bible
do not read the Bible 6 10 6 5 4 0 2 3 24
other 5 5 3 6 6 3 7 4 5
don’t know 2 3 1 4 1 1 0 3 4
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
*indicates less than one-half of one percent
Bible readers all adults

2011 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014
never have enough time to read it 48% 43% 40% 47% 32% 30% 35%
none / no frustrations 23 25 31 25 18 22 17
language is difficult to relate to 10 10 10 8 12 14 11
don’t understand background or history of

8 8 7 8 7 7 7
the Bible
can never find the stories or verses you are
4 6 4 6 6 5 7
looking for
don’t feel excited about reading it 4 2 3 1 11 12 10
other 2 4 3 4 3 3 5
don’t know 4 2 2 1 3 3 2
n= 449 411 429 414 1,020 1,005 1,012
*In this table, Bible readers are defined as having read the Bible at least weekly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.11 | Favorable Emotions When Reading the Bible

Question: The last time you read the Bible, what was the primary favorable emotion you experienced, if any?
Did you feel… (MULTIPLE RESPONSE)

Millenn- other
% that have ever read the Bible adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
peaceful 42% 34% 41% 44% 49% 54% 55% 36% 23%
encouraged / inspired 33 24 30 36 42 40 33 32 18
hopeful 29 25 25 34 34 36 28 27 22
a sense of direction 25 27 19 28 31 34 24 21 17
happy 25 19 22 26 31 28 21 27 17
other 6 8 5 5 7 5 5 5 6
none 11 15 15 7 5 3 3 12 31
not sure 3 2 3 2 3 * 1 4 4
n= 770 139 261 234 117 258 79 312 98
% that have ever read the Bible 2012 2013 2014

peaceful 34% 37% 42%
encouraged / inspired 33 29 33
hopeful 27 30 29
a sense of direction 25 26 25
happy 18 19 25
other 1 2 6
none 9 3 11
not sure 4 3 3
n= 786 775 770
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.12 | Unfavorable Emotions When Reading the Bible

Question: The last time you read the Bible, what was the primary unfavorable emotion you experienced, if
any? Did you feel… (MULTIPLE RESPONSE)

Millenn- other
% that have ever read the Bible adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
none 60% 43% 57% 67% 73% 71% 64% 53% 54%
confused 15 21 17 10 9 11 18 18 12
overwhelmed 9 7 11 10 8 9 8 11 4
doubtful 6 11 7 3 3 3 4 7 9
bored 5 16 4 1 1 3 3 5 11
discouraged 5 9 4 4 3 2 6 7 6
convicted, guilty, sinful 1 1 1 * * 2 0 0 0
other 3 4 2 5 2 2 3 4 8
not sure 3 3 3 2 3 1 1 5 4
n= 770 139 261 234 117 258 79 312 98
% that have ever read the Bible 2012 2013 2014

none 59% 59% 60%
confused 12 12 15
overwhelmed 11 11 9
doubtful 8 6 6
bored 3 3 5
discouraged 3 5 5
convicted, guilty, sinful 2 1 1
other 1 2 4
not sure 3 4 3
n= 786 775 770
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.13 | Applying the Bible to Life

Question: You mentioned that you read from the Bible in the past week. After reading the Bible, would you
say that you: (READ RESPONSES)?

Millenn- other
% read Bible in the past seven days adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
gave a lot of thought to how it might
57% 51% 54% 59% 62% 64% 42% 49% 66%
apply to your life
gave some thought to how it might
37 41 41 35 30 32 51 42 29
apply to your life
did not give any thought to how it
5 6 5 5 3 2 7 8 2
might apply to your life
not sure 2 2 0 1 5 3 0 1 2
n= 427 60 128 149 85 210 43 130 38
% read Bible in the past seven days 2011 2012 2013 2014
gave a lot of thought to how it might
61% 59% 65% 57%
apply to your life
gave some thought to how it might
34 35 28 37
apply to your life
did not give any thought to how it
4 5 4 5
might apply to your life
not sure 1 1 2 2
n= 449 446 434 427
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.14 | Use of Bible Formats

Question: These days, the Bible is available and used in different formats. For each format I read, please tell
me whether or not you have used that format in the past year?

Millenn- other
% among Bible readers adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
read from a print version of the
89% 90% 86% 93% 89% 94% 96% 82% 97%
Bible on your own
used the Internet on a computer to
44 62 52 44 19 50 39 40 39
read Bible content
attended a small group or Bible
study, where you studies the Bible
44 51 39 42 50 57 39 33 43
in a group, not including weekend
worship services
searched for Bible verses or Bible
content on a smart phone or cell 35 64 55 18 5 36 20 37 37
phone
listened to a teaching about the
29 33 33 29 22 34 16 31 24
Bible via podcast
listened to an audio version of the
25 22 27 24 27 30 23 20 26
Bible
read an electronic version of the
Bible on an e-reader such as Kindle 24 37 33 18 9 27 14 22 33
or iPad
n= 590 93 192 190 104 247 63 212 53
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.14 | Use of Bible Formats (cont’d)
% among Bible readers 2011 2012 2013 2014

read from a print version of the
89% 89% 90% 89%
Bible on your own
attended a small group or Bible
study, where you studies the Bible
53 47 44 44
in a group, not including weekend
worship services
used the Internet on a computer to
37 38 41 44
read Bible content
listened to an audio version of the
28 30 26 25
Bible
listened to a teaching about the
24 26 26 29
Bible via podcast
searched for Bible verses or Bible
content on a smart phone or cell 18 23 29 35
phone
read an electronic version of the
Bible on an e-reader such as Kindle 12 15 17 24
or iPad
n= 633 597 603 590
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.15 | Smartphone or Mobile Phone Ownership

Question: Do you have a smartphone or mobile phone?

Millenn- other
all ial Buster Boomer Elder Protes- Cath- Chris- faith / no
adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian faith
yes 75% 89% 85% 69% 48% 72% 80% 73% 86%
no 25 11 15 31 52 28 21 27 14
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
Table 3.16 | Use of Bible Apps

Question: Do you have a Bible app downloaded on your phone?

Millenn- other
% among mobile phone or smart all ial Buster Boomer Elder Protes- Cath- Chris- faith / no
phone users adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian faith
no 73% 73% 70% 76% 76% 56% 70% 78% 81%
yes 21 26 28 14 2 36 22 16 14
don’t own a smartphone 6 2 2 10 21 8 7 6 5
not sure * 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
n= 761 190 283 210 67 191 74 302 169
% among smart phone or mobile phone

users 2011 2012 2013 2014
no 86% 85% 80% 73%
yes 13 15 15 21
not sure / no smartphone 1 1 4 6
n= 673 736 773 761
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 3.17 | Preferred Bible Format

Question: All things considered, in what format do you prefer to use the Bible – print, digital, or audio?

Millenn- other
% Bible readers adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
print 84% 81% 75% 89% 94% 89% 87% 79% 74%
digital 10 15 17 4 1 7 9 12 16
audio 5 4 6 5 3 3 4 7 8
video * 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
other 1 0 0 * 2 1 0 0 3
not sure 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 0
n= 590 93 192 190 104 247 63 212 53
% Bible readers 2012 2013 2014

print 83% 85% 84%
digital 8 8 10
audio 7 6 5
video * * *
other * 1 1
not sure 2 1 1
n= 597 603 590
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
4. BIBLE LITERACY
Table 4.1 | Self-Assessment of Biblical Knowledge
Question: How knowledgeable do you feel about the Bible?

Millenn- other
highly knowledgeable 13% 11% 12% 15% 16% 19% 12% 11% 12%
moderately knowledgeable 32 30 33 32 36 47 23 26 30
somewhat knowledgeable 37 42 37 37 31 29 55 39 36
not too knowledgeable 12 14 11 10 11 4 9 17 11
not at all knowledgeable 6 3 8 6 5 1 2 6 11
not sure 1 0 0 2 1 * 0 * 0
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
2012 2013 2014

highly knowledgeable 12% 12% 13%
moderately knowledgeable 32 31 32
somewhat knowledgeable 35 38 37
not too knowledgeable 16 13 12
not at all knowledgeable 5 6 6
not sure 1 1 1
n= 1,020 1,005 1,012
2011
completely knowledgeable 5%
highly knowledgeable 18
about average 56
not too knowledgeable 18
not at all knowledgeable 3
not sure 1
n= 1,011
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 4.2 | Highly Knowledgeable about the Bible: Segmentation
Segmentation Analysis:
Highly Knowledgeable about the Bible
(average 13%)
Above average… Below average …
 evangelical Christians (31%)  non-practicing Christians (11%)

 Bible engaged (24%)  notional Christians (10%)
 African-Americans (22%)  non-born again (10%)
 adults with an active faith1 (21%)  adults lacking an active faith1 (10%)
 non-mainline Protestants (19%)  residents of the Northeast (9%)
 residents of the South (19%)  unchurched adults2 (9%)
 practicing Protestants (19%)  non-Bible readers (8%)
 born again Christians (18%)  Bible-engagement: neutral (6%)
 Bible readers (17%)
1
Adults with an active faith have attended church, read from the Bible and prayed to God all within the past week.
2
Unchurched adults have not attended church in the past six months.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 4.3 | Bible as Literal or Inspired Word of God

Question: Which of the following statements comes closest to describing what you believe about the Bible?

Millenn- other
actual word of God and should
23% 16% 24% 26% 27% 41% 18% 22% 9%
be taken literally, word for word
inspired word of God, no errors,

30 31 29 29 33 40 50 31 13
some verses symbolic
inspired word of God, has

15 13 16 15 14 10 17 18 12
factual or historical errors
not inspired, tells how writers

understood the ways and 10 13 7 10 8 4 3 14 10
principles of God
just another book of teachings
written by men that contain 18 24 19 16 11 2 5 10 51
stories and advice
other 2 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 3
not sure 3 2 3 2 4 1 4 3 2
online + telephone sample size= 2,014 420 663 622 277 491 178 822 451
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 4.3 | Bible as Literal or Inspired Word of God (cont’d)
2007* 2011 2012 2013 2014

actual word of God and should be
26% 24% 24% 22% 23%
taken literally, word for word
inspired word of God, has no

errors, some verses are meant to 30 31 28 27 30
be symbolic
inspired word of God, has factual or

18 14 14 15 15
historical errors
not inspired by God, tells how

writers understood the ways and 11 8 8 10 10
principles of God
just another book of teachings

written by men that contain stories 11 12 16 16 18
and advice
other NA 2 2 2 2
not sure 5 9 9 9 3
online + telephone sample size= 1,004 2,012 2,008 2,060 2,014

* Research was conducted by Barna in 2007 in the OmniPollSM..,
Note: Historical data collected by telephone interviews; 2011-2014 data collected by telephone and online surveys.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 4.4 | Knowledge of the First Five Books of the Bible

Question: What are the first five books of the Bible?

Millenn- other
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
43% 37% 48% 42% 43% 69% 39% 30% 42%
Numbers, Deuteronomy
13 16 13 12 12 11 18 12 17
Deuteronomy, Joshua
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and
6 7 8 5 3 1 6 11 4
Revelation
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts 4 4 2 5 7 4 4 5 1
other 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 * 2
not sure 33 36 28 35 36 13 34 42 34
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
2012 2013 2014

46% 42% 43%
Numbers, Deuteronomy
12 14 13
Deuteronomy, Joshua
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and
8 6 6
Revelation
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts 6 8 4
other 1 1 1
not sure 28 30 33
n= 1,020 1,005 1,012
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 4.5 | Knowledge of the Bible’s Teaching

Question: There are some attitudes and behaviors that are specifically addressed in the Bible, while others
are not addressed. For each one of the following, please tell me whether or not you feel the Bible encourages
or discourages each action – or if you feel the Bible is silent on this issue.

Millenn- other
forgiveness
strongly encourages 80% 66% 81% 87% 79% 97% 93% 85% 65%
somewhat encourages 11 15 10 8 12 0 6 9 18
somewhat discourages 2 6 1 * 1 0 1 2 3
strongly discourages 1 2 1 1 2 2 0 * 2
silent 6 12 6 4 5 2 1 5 12
generosity
strongly encourages 70 60 74 73 67 86 82 72 57
somewhat encourages 18 22 14 18 23 7 14 21 22
somewhat discourages 3 6 2 2 1 0 1 2 5
strongly discourages 2 3 2 1 3 4 2 1 3
silent 7 11 7 6 5 3 2 5 13
patience
strongly encourages 69 58 73 73 66 89 82 76 50
somewhat encourages 20 23 17 19 24 8 12 17 30
somewhat discourages 2 5 2 1 1 * 1 1 4
strongly discourages 1 2 1 1 2 1 4 * 2
silent 18 14 7 6 6 2 2 5 15
repression of women
strongly encourages 8 14 8 7 1 4 5 5 14
somewhat encourages 21 19 24 20 21 8 7 24 27
somewhat discourages 22 22 22 22 21 28 31 22 17
strongly discourages 25 23 25 25 30 43 46 23 15
silent 24 22 22 26 27 17 11 26 28
war
strongly encourages 4 4 4 5 2 2 3 3 7
somewhat encourages 16 13 19 15 18 19 4 15 19
somewhat discourages 34 28 35 35 38 37 43 37 26
strongly discourages 28 32 24 29 27 29 38 26 27
silent 18 23 18 17 15 13 11 19 21
n= 946 194 301 331 120 161 67 370 334
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 4.5 | Knowledge of the Bible’s Teaching (cont’d)

Millenn- other
slavery
strongly encourages 3 6 2 2 2 * 6 1 6
somewhat encourages 12 13 14 11 7 4 1 13 16
somewhat discourages 26 20 27 25 35 31 17 25 25
silent 26 26 27 26 25 22 20 27 28
homosexual or same-sex
relationships
strongly encourages 2 1 3 1 1 2 2 2 1
somewhat encourages 2 1 2 2 1 0 0 2 1
somewhat discourages 19 24 16 22 14 7 20 22 22
strongly discourages 57 52 59 55 64 84 65 54 46
silent 21 22 21 21 21 7 13 20 30
prostitution
strongly encourages 1 2 1 * 0 1 2 * 2
somewhat encourages 2 3 3 2 2 * 1 2 3
somewhat discourages 24 25 20 27 24 11 13 28 29
silent 15 14 16 14 17 7 7 14 19
gambling
strongly encourages 1 2 1 * 0 1 2 * 2
somewhat encourages 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 2 2
somewhat discourages 25 21 25 25 32 26 18 25 27
strongly discourages 49 52 48 51 43 63 51 52 39
silent 23 22 25 22 24 10 29 21 30
pornography
strongly encourages 1 2 1 1 0 1 4 0 2
somewhat encourages * * 0 1 0 1 0 * *
somewhat discourages 13 17 12 13 11 12 11 13 15
strongly discourages 52 54 55 49 50 75 58 54 38
silent 34 27 33 37 39 11 28 33 46
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
5. M ORAL DECLINE AND SOCIAL I MPACT

Table 5.1 | Belief that Morality Is on the Decline in America
Question: Do you believe the values and morals of America are declining or not?

Millenn- other
yes 81% 74% 81% 82% 89% 91% 87% 83% 62%
no 16 22 17 14 8 7 9 13 34
not sure 3 4 2 4 3 2 5 4 4
n= 1,012 214 334 302 142 265 93 416 197
2013 2014
yes 77% 81%
no 19 16
not sure 4 3
n= 1,005 1,012
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Table 5.2 | Cause of Moral Decline

Question: Which of the following do you think is most responsible for the moral decline of America?

Millenn- other
% believe values and morals are declining adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
negative influences of movies,
33% 25% 37% 29% 41% 34% 42% 33% 30%
television and music
corruption from corporate greed 29 47 28 27 13 13 25 32 47
lack of Bible reading 26 17 23 32 32 45 19 21 9
something else 9 8 9 9 8 6 9 10 8
don’t think there is a moral

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
decline in America
not sure 4 2 3 4 7 2 5 4 6
n= 817 104 270 247 126 242 80 346 123

% believe values and morals are declining 2013 2014

lack of Bible reading 32% 26%
negative influences of movies,

29 33
television and music
corruption from corporate greed 25 29
something else 8 9
don’t think there is a moral

* 0
decline in America
not sure 5 4
n= 777 817
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
6. GIVING TO N ON-P ROFIT O RGANIZATIONS

Table 6.1 | Donations to Non-Profit Organizations
Question: For the year that just ended – 2013 – what was the total amount of money that you donated to all
charities and non-profit organizations, including churches and religious organizations, if any?

Millenn- other
ial Buster Boomer Elder Protes- Cath- Chris- faith /
all adults 18-29 30-48 49-67 68+ tant olic tian no faith
none 25% 37% 26% 22% 9% 9% 7% 27% 39%
less than $100 12 22 9 11 8 6 7 17 12
$100 to $199 9 11 8 9 11 7 2 12 10
$200 to $399 10 11 9 11 10 8 15 11 11
$400 to $999 10 6 11 10 13 9 14 11 8
$1,000 to $1,999 11 4 13 12 13 13 20 10 7
$2,000 to $4,999 12 14 14 14 17 23 23 7 8
$5,000 or more 11 11 11 12 18 26 13 5 6
mean $1,693 $601 $1,842 $1,964 $2,435 $3,109 $3,096 $989 $1,260
median $200 $30 $300 $300 $800 $1,500 $1,000 $100 $50
online + telephone sample size*= 1,645 364 576 486 203 365 140 664 423
* not sure has been removed from the base of the sample
2013 2014
none 29% 25%
less than $100 14 12
$100 to $199 10 9
$200 to $399 10 10
$400 to $999 11 10
$1,000 to $1,999 10 11
$2,000 to $4,999 10 12
$5,000 or more 7 11
mean $989 $1,693
median $100 $200
online + telephone sample size*= 1,842 1,645
* not sure has been removed from the base of the sample
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
A PPENDIX II
DEFINITIONS
Generations:
Millennials: those currently ages 18 to 29
Busters: those currently ages 30 to 48
Boomers: those currently ages 49 to 67
Elders: those currently ages 68 or older
Born-again Christians say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still
important in their life today, and indicate they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven
because they have confessed their sins and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Respondents are not asked to describe themselves as “born again.”
Evangelicals meet the born-again criteria (described above) plus seven other conditions. These
include saying their faith is very important in their life today; believing they have a personal
responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believing that
Satan exists; believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believing
that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; asserting that the Bible is accurate in all it teaches;
and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and
still rules it today. Being classified as an evangelical is not dependent on church attendance or
the denominational affiliation of the church attended. Respondents were not asked to describe
themselves as “evangelical.”
Non-evangelical born-again Christians meet the born-again criteria described above, but not the
evangelical criteria.
Notional Christians are individuals who identify as Christian, but who do not meet the definition
of a born-again Christian.
Mainline Attenders include Protestants who say they attend one of the following denominations:
United Church of Christ, American Baptist, Episcopal, the Presbyterian Church USA, Lutheran
and United Methodist.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Non-Mainline Attenders include any Protestant denominations not covered in the mainline
category above. Major groups include Adventist, Assembly of God, Baptist (various types),
Church of God, Evangelical, Nazarene, non-denominational churches, Pentecostal, Wesleyan
and so on.
Active Faith: A person is labeled as having an active faith if they read the Bible, pray and attend
church in a typical week.
Geographic Regions:
Northeast: residents of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, DC and Vermont
South: residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,

Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Virginia
Mid-West: residents of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,

Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin
West: residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
M ETHODOLOGY
Two methods of data collection, telephone interviews and online surveys, were used for this
study.
Telephone
The telephone survey included 1,012 interviews conducted among a representative sample of
adults 18 years of age and older from within the 48 continental states. The survey was conducted
from January 8, 2014, through January 20, 2014. The sampling error for this study is +/-3
percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The research included 300 interviews by
contacting respondents on their cell phone.
The survey calls were made at various times during the day and evening so that every individual
selected for inclusion was contacted up to five separate days, at different times of the day, to
maximize the possibility of contact. This is a quality-control procedure that ensures those in the
sampling frame have an equivalent probability of inclusion within the survey, thereby increasing
the survey reliability. All of the interviews were conducted by experienced, trained interviewers;
interviewers were supervised at all times; and every interviewer was monitored during the course
of their work on this project. The telephone survey was conducted through the use of a CATI
(Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. This process ensures that question skip
patterns are properly administered by interviewers and that survey data are recorded accurately.
The cooperation rate for the telephone survey was 81%. A high cooperation rate significantly
raises the confidence we may place in the resulting statistics. In every survey there are a variety
of ways in which the accuracy of the data may be affected. The cooperation rate is one such
potential cause of error in measurement; the lower the cooperation rate, the less representative
the respondents interviewed may be of the population from which they were drawn, thereby
reducing the accuracy of the results. Other sources of error include question-design bias,
question-order bias, interviewer mistakes, sampling error and respondent deception. Many of
these types of errors cannot be accurately estimated. However, having a high cooperation rate
does enhance the reliability of the information procured.
Based upon US Census data sources, regional and ethnic quotas were designed to ensure that the
final group of adults interviewed reflected the distribution of adults nationwide and adequately
represented the three primary ethnic groups within the US (those groups which comprise at least
10% of the population: white, black and Hispanic).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
Online
The online portion of the study covered a subset of core questions used in the telephone
questionnaire. This study included 1,024 surveys conducted among a representative random
sample of adults 18 and older within all 50 states and was conducted January 28, 2014, through
February 5, 2014. The sampling error for a sample of this size is +/-3 percentage points at the
95% confidence level. The response rate for the online study was 51%.
The online survey was conducted using the web-enabled KnowledgePanel® based on probability
sampling that covers both the online and offline populations in the US. The panel members are
randomly recruited by telephone and by self-administered mail and web surveys. Households are
provided with access to the Internet and hardware if needed. Unlike other Internet research that
covers only individuals with Internet access who volunteer for research, this process uses a dual
sampling frame that includes both listed and unlisted phone numbers, telephone and non-
telephone households, and cell-phone-only households. The panel is not limited to current Web
users or computer owners. All potential panelists are randomly selected to join the
KnowledgePanel; unselected volunteers are not able to join.
Aggregated Data
Data for core questions included in both the telephone and online studies was aggregated. The
sampling error for the combined data (n=2,036) is +/-2 percentage points at the 95% confidence
level.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barna Group
GUIDE TO S URVEY D ATA

Do you remember reading the results of a survey and noticing the fine print that says that the
results are accurate within plus or minus three percentage points (or some similar number)? That
figure refers to the “range of sampling error.” The range of sampling error indicates the accuracy
of the results and is dependent on two factors: 1) the sample size and 2) the degree to which the
result you are examining is close to 50 percent or to the extremes, 0 percent and 100 percent.
You can estimate the accuracy of your survey results using the table below. First, find the
column heading that is closest to your sample size. Next, find the row whose label is closest to
the response percentages observed for a particular question from your survey. The intersection of
the row and column displays the number of percentage points that need to be added to and
subtracted from the observed result in order to obtain the range of error. There is a 95 percent
chance that the true percentage of the group being sampled is in that range.
SAMPLE SIZE
Result 100 200 300 400 500 600 800 1000 1200 1500 2000 2500
05% or 95% 4.4 3.1 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.1 .96 .87
10% or 90% 6.0 4.3 3.5 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.1 1.0 1.7 1.6 1.3 1.2
15% or 85% 7.1 5.1 4.1 3.6 3.2 2.9 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.4
20% or 80% 8.0 5.7 4.6 4.0 3.6 3.3 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.6
25% or 75% 8.7 6.1 5.0 4.3 3.9 3.6 3.0 2.8 2.5 2.3 1.9 1.7
30% or 70% 9.2 6.5 5.3 4.6 4.1 3.8 3.2 2.8 2.7 2.4 2.0 1.8
35% or 65% 9.5 6.8 5.5 4.8 4.3 3.9 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.9
40% or 60% 9.8 7.0 5.7 4.9 4.4 4.0 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.0
45% or 55% 9.9 7.0 5.8 5.0 4.5 4.1 3.5 3.2 2.9 2.6 2.2 2.0
50% 10.0 7.1 5.8 5.0 4.5 4.1 3.5 3.2 2.9 2.6 2.2 2.0
Note that the above statistics only relate to the sampling accuracy of survey results. When
comparing the results of two subgroups (e.g., men versus women), a different procedure is
followed and usually requires a greater sample size. Further, there is a range of other errors that
may influence survey results (e.g. biased question wording, inaccurate data tabulation)—errors
whose influence cannot be statistically estimated.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

State of The Bible 2014 (Barna)

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_____________________________________________________________________________________________

American Bible Society

THE STATE OF THE BIBLE | 2014

Research conducted among US adults

Research commissioned by:

Research conducted by:

1. Bible Perceptions ......................................................... 6

Appendix I: Data Tables

1. Bible Perceptions .........................................................26

Appendix II: About the Study

The objectives of this research were to determine:

 perceptions of the Bible

Segmentation of the findings is as follows:

Non-Practicing Christian: Self-identified Christians who are non-practicing as defined

No faith/Other faith: Individuals who do not consider themselves Christian (including

Books Considered Sacred or Holy

[Table 1.2 | Beliefs about the Bible | p. 29]

[Table 1.3 | The Bible’s Role in US Society | p. 30]

Influence of Bible in US Society Today

Influence of the Bible in US Society

16% 15% 14%

[Table 2.3 | Number of Bibles Owned | p. 33]

Number of Bibles Owned

3.4 3.5 3.4

2011 2012 2013 2014

[Table 2.4 | Bible Purchases | p. 33]

[Table 3.1 | Bible Readers | p. 33]

Bible Readership More Likely Among

Millennials Busters Boomers Elders (68+) South Northeast Midwest West

[Table 3.3 | Time Spent Reading the Bible | p. 35]

[Table 3.4 | Preferred Bible Version | pp. 36-37]

Bible Version Read Most Often

King James Version 34%

New International Version 13%

New King James Version 10%

English Standard Version 6%

New Living Translation 4%

New Revised Standard Version 3%

all others (2% or less combined) 19%

not sure 11%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

[Table 3.5 | Motivations for Reading the Bible | p. 38]

[Table 3.6 | Level of Bible Use | p. 39]

[Table 3.8 | Reasons for Bible Engagement | p. 41]

[Tables 3.10 | Frustrations with Bible Reading | p. 43]

[Table 3.11 | Favorable Emotions When Reading the Bible | p. 44]

[Table 3.13 | Applying the Bible to Life | p. 46]

[Table 3.14 | Use of Bible Formats | p. 47]

Preferred Bible Formats

[Table 3.15 | Smartphone or Mobile Phone Ownership | p. 49]

[Table 3.17 | Preferred Bible Format | p. 50]

Americans Still Prefer Printed Bibles

Self-Reported Knowledge of Bible

[Table 4.3 | Bible as Literal or Inspired Word of God | pp. 53-54]

Beliefs about the Bible as the Literal or

[Table 4.5 | Knowledge of the Bible’s Teaching | pp. 56-57]

5. M ORAL DECLINE AND SOCIAL I MPACT

6. GIVING TO N ON-P ROFIT O RGANIZATIONS

Non-Profit Giving by Age

Generation practicing faith non-practicing faith

2011 2012 2013 2014

Table 1.2 | Beliefs about the Bible