Poll: Bible readers like their
translations, but open to others

Nashville, Tenn.—Among regular Bible readers, more than a third indicate they read it nearly every day and typically use one primary version of the Bible. But three-quarters say they are open to using other translations. LifeWay Research polled 2,000 Americans for a study on how American adults read the Bible. All qualifying participants indicated they read their Bibles at least monthly—either for personal study or as part of a family activity. When asked, “About how often do you read the Bible either by yourself or together with family members as part of a private activity?”: • 37 percent said nearly every day. • 22 percent read it three to five times a week, while another 22 percent read it once or twice a week. • 11 percent read it two or three times a month, and 8 percent read the Bible about once a month. On average, Bible readers in the United States own 3.6 copies of Scripture. Eighty-four percent of readers have more than one Bible. Three-quarters of Bible readers (74 percent) have one primary Bible that they use most of the time while the other 26 percent tend to use different Bibles for different situations. Among those who use a variety of Bibles, 75 percent consult varying translations.

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Yet preferring one translation does not mean readers have an exclusive commitment to it. While 26 percent of Bible readers only are willing to use one specific translation, 74 percent identify themselves as “open to using different translations of the Bible.”

“When people say ‘my Bible,’ that has a meaning that includes translation,” LifeWay Research President Ed Stetzer said. “Bible readers usually have multiple Bibles but three out of four have one physical Bible that they use most of the time.”

When it comes to how a preferred translation is selected, 75 percent of regular Bible readers personally chose the version they use most while 19 percent had it selected for them by someone else. Six percent do not remember how they arrived at their preferred version.

Nine out of 10 Bible readers are satisfied with the version they use most for personal reading. Only 6 percent say they are dissatisfied with the translation they use.

The study also revealed that in a typical month, 85 percent of regular Bible readers attend worship; 72 percent read religious books; 53 percent attend Sunday School or other classes; 51 percent attend a small group; 50 percent read religious magazines; and 47 percent volunteer.

Stetzer concluded, “We learn from this study among American Bible readers that owning multiple Bibles is much more prevalent than regularly investing time in reading it.” (LW/BP)

Western Recorder issue date: March 27, 2012.

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