"Bible engagement" (personal Bible use outside of church) falls to 38%, only 11% for Gen Z.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

A comprehensive survey conducted by the American Bible Society, "State of the Bible USA 2024," has revealed a continuing decline in Bible engagement among Americans. Experts worry this trend could have far-reaching implications for the country's spiritual and social fabric.

According to the study, only 38% of American adults now engage with the Bible at least three to four times a year outside of church services, marking a slight decrease from 40% in the previous year. This gradual decline has been a consistent trend over the past decade, with a notable drop from 50% in 2011 to under 40% today.

Despite the overall decrease in Bible usage, there are signs of an enduring interest in spiritual growth. The survey found that 15% of respondents reported an increase in their personal Bible use from the previous year, suggesting a resilient, albeit small, group of individuals deepening their engagement with scripture.


Generational trends explains phenomenon
This spiritual decline is most pronounced among younger generations, with only 11% of Generation Z adults considered Scripture Engaged, the lowest among all age groups surveyed. This demographic is also the least likely to view the Bible as a significant influence in their lives.

https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-797286

[RockRaven]

1. In a society with Christian hegemony, everyone should read the Bible

cover to cover, repeatedly, just so you know when obnoxious people are blowing smoke up your ass about it.

But I suppose that is a different sort of reading the bible than this "scripture engagement" stuff.

[Basic LA]

2. They'd do better with the Iliad & Odyssey

Much richer mythologies.

[Doc Sportello]

3. "Experts worry this trend could have far-reaching implications for the country's spiritual and social fabric."

That's not a worry. That's a hopeful trend for our social fabric.

[Sky Jewels]

4. Excellent.

The Big Book of Patriarchal Bronze Age Goat Herder Bullshit Mythology is losing influence. 👍🏼

[jmowreader]

5. The problem with this survey is...

I know I "engage with the Bible" many times a year...to debunk theists on Quora. What percentage of the people who regularly engage with the Bible are doing what I do?

Four-step formula for turning a Christian into an atheist:

1. Read Genesis 19. (This is where Lot's daughters got Lot falling-down drunk and raped him two nights in a row.)
2. Read Genesis 22. (This is where God ordered Abraham to kill his son and burn his body as an offering to the Lord.)
3. Read Leviticus 20. (This is where God decrees that the punishments for screwing your own daughter and for committing a child sacrifice are both death, probably by stoning.)
4. Explain how the hell the same act can be declared both a good act and a capital crime less than 100 pages apart.

[sakabatou]

6. I don't engage, unless I have to, or when holidays come up

"Experts worry this trend could have far-reaching implications for the country's spiritual and social fabric."

*pretends to be shocked face*

[Skittles]

10. ridiculous

the idea that religion is required to be a good human being so SOOOOO fucking wrong

[sakabatou]

15. Agreed.

If it was required, why are there people who do evil things in the name of religion.

[Skittles]

16. I do good because it's the right thing to do

not because I expect some kind of "reward" in the end

[Marcus IM]

7. Fewer need a pacifier. The need for a verse to comfort oneself is reserved for the uncomfortable.

[sorcrow]

8. Three or four times is a low threshold

Heck, when I travel, I'll check out the Gideons' Bible in my hotel room more times than that. As a voracious reader of even cereal boxes and ingredient lists, how can I resist?
I'm an atheist, but Sampson's story beats wrestling or even MMA anyday. Jawbone of an ass, indeed. I guess metal folding chairs were in short supply.

Best regards,
Sorghum Crow

[Skittles]

9. the less religion, the better

yes INDEED

[ms liberty]

11. I thought it was really boring. More boring than

Around the World in Eighty Days, which I was assigned to do a book report on , could not get through,, and was saved at the last minute by a teevee viewing of the movie. Only time I did that.
I was and am a voracious reader, and those are the only books that ever bored me so much that I gave up.

[lindysalsagal]

12. 38 seems high for something that makes no sense at all

Even if you "read" it, word-for-word, wtf have you ingested? Bunch of weirdo stories from the stone age? Snakes, whales, arts, seas parted. Malarkey. I never understood how reading the thing ever made anyone believe anything.

[LiberalFighter]

13. 38%? Read the complete Bible??? Maybe 1% might have.

[Johonny]

14. Most of it is a dull read

It's not a shock people don't flock to it.