According to a report in The Washington Times, most Americans believe the Bible
is more factual than newspapers but find their daily newspapers far easier to
read. This suggests Americans are more willing to enter the complex Bible world
if they find it packaged palatably and easy to grasp, scholars and publishers
say.
More than eight in ten U.S. adults in a survey said that "the Bible's
ancient stories speak to today -- and can solve "most or all of life's
problems." The independent market survey of 1,000 representative U.S.
adults was commissioned by Zondervan, the world's largest publisher of Bibles.
Most adults trust that the Bible got "its facts straight" more than
newspapers or even history books. But two-thirds find a supermarket tabloid
easier reading.
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The survey also found:
- The hardest part of the Bible "to read and understand" is the
creation account in Genesis.
- Adults most often say the Bible's great value is in teaching children right
and wrong, with David and Goliath the most memorable story and the Good
Samaritan the best for moral instruction.
- Eighty percent agree that Bible language can be "confusing," and
welcome modern translation.
- Belief that the Bible is "literally true" has dropped from 65
percent of U.S. adults to 33 percent over 40 years, Gallup polls report. But
belief in its divine "inspiration and authority" stays more than 80
percent.
A third of respondents to the Zondervan poll say they "feel comfortable and
safe" when a Bible is around, and 20 percent see someone holding a Bible
as a "good person."
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(Larry Witham,
The Washington Times, 12/11/00,
Copyright (c) 2000 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.)