It may be a digital era, but print Bibles remain the most preferred reading format, according to the most recent research by the American Bible Society and Barna Group.
More than half of correspondents (59%), who participated in the research published 18 May, stated that they still prefer reading a print copy of the Bible over a digital or audio version. The findings are included in The State of The Bible (USA) 2021 report.
Inasmuch as 2020 saw an increase in bible reading, the researchers found a major generation gap in preferences.
Print copies were preferred majority by elders (84 percent), baby boomers (72 percent) and Generation X members (56 percent). The research found that print Bibles are less popular among Millennials (47 percent) and those in Generation Z (44 percent).
A majority of Millennials and those in Generation Z preferred either a Bible app, a website/computer program, or an audio Bible.
“Smartphone or tablet use of the Bible among younger generations is increasingly popular,” an American Bible Society analysis said.
Attitudes are quickly changing.
Although a majority still favor a physical copy, that’s down from 65 percent in 2020 and 72 percent in 2019. In 2016, 81 percent preferred a print copy.
Other findings in the survey:
- 21 percent of Bible users said reading the Bible brings them comfort. Other top emotions include feeling peaceful (19 percent), encouraged (17 percent) and hopeful (16 percent).
- Only 12 percent of correspondents said they are “highly” knowledgeable of the Bible. Thirty-one percent said they are “moderately” knowledgeable, while another 31 percent said they are “somewhat” knowledgeable. One-fourth (26 percent) said they are “not too” knowledgeable.
- A majority (54 percent) of correspondents said America would be worse off without the Bible. That’s an increase from 2020 (49 percent).
“This belief in the Bible’s value to the United States aligns with a sense that the Bible upholds American values,” the analysis said. “Faith (72 percent), hope (71 percent), and love (69 percent) are widely agreed upon as values the Bible is essential for sustaining.”
During the research, the percent of correspondents who said they never use the Bible fell to 29 percent – its lowest point since 2016 within the USA.
