Thought this was interesting

[RedPonyDriver]

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/october/survey-bible-reading-liberal.html

http://www.lifeway.com/Article/research-survey-bible-engagement-churchgoers

Maybe that's what I've been doing wrong all these years!

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I'd be interested to see how those stats were compiled and how the interviews were conducted.

From link #1:
A recent poll from LifeWay Research found that 89 percent of American households still own a Bible, with the average home having 4.1 Bibles.

To me those numbers seem a tad high.

Considering that only 71% of the population identifies as Christian, the premise that the 18% of the population that are non-Christians are keeping multiple bibles around the house seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

 

[seashale76]

I'd be interested to see how those stats were compiled and how the interviews were conducted.

From link #1:
A recent poll from LifeWay Research found that 89 percent of American households still own a Bible, with the average home having 4.1 Bibles.

To me those numbers seem a tad high.

Considering that only 71% of the population identifies as Christian, the premise that the 18% of the population that are non-Christians are keeping multiple bibles around the house seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

It's not really a stretch if you think about it. People often inherit bibles, and even non-religious people can and do read them. I've been given tons of bibles over the years, some quite old, and one was a family bible complete with birth and death records. I've often considered passing most of them on to new homes. Of all the bibles I own, I only ever use the same one though.

 

[NightHawkeye]

Considering that only 71% of the population identifies as Christian, the premise that the 18% of the population that are non-Christians are keeping multiple bibles around the house seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

Hmm ... no more a stretch than the number of non-Christians who frequent Christian Forums.

 

[havevisions]

If had to count them, I'd say I have about 20 in my house right now.
Yes, I read a Bible almost every day.

I'm not bragging, I'm just saying that the survey may be correct.
Incidentally, what is the "that's" in the OP, that is what are you doing wrong?

 

[redleghunter]

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/october/survey-bible-reading-liberal.html

http://www.lifeway.com/Article/research-survey-bible-engagement-churchgoers

Maybe that's what I've been doing wrong all these years!

Another article which requires a subscription.

 

[redleghunter]

I'd be interested to see how those stats were compiled and how the interviews were conducted.

From link #1:
A recent poll from LifeWay Research found that 89 percent of American households still own a Bible, with the average home having 4.1 Bibles.

To me those numbers seem a tad high.

Considering that only 71% of the population identifies as Christian, the premise that the 18% of the population that are non-Christians are keeping multiple bibles around the house seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

Actually high number is not so surprising. 30 years ago it was probably in the high 90s.

It was, and still to some degree, very common to get a family Bible for a wedding gift.

Not saying most people who do actually crack it open.

 

[dgiharris]

Every household I've ever been in had a bible on the bookshelf. It is just one of those things...

They are inherited, given as gifts, often when you get married you end up with one, Christians give them as gifts to non- Christians. In prison, you often get a bible. If you go to any type of shelter they often will give you one or a pocket version. Parents like to give them to their kids when the kids leave the nest...

Truth be told, it is pretty hard to not have a bible. if you have any Christian friends, and said friend somehow learns you do not have a bible, that Christian friend is going to figure out a way to get you a bible.

I had a friend go through a traumatic event many years ago, and I gave her a bible as a gift and I prayed with her. Even though she wasn't Christian, it helped, she was thankful, and still has the bible. I have no idea if she has read it since, but she has it. I saw it on her bookshelf years later when I stopped by back in town...

FWIW, I also have a Qu'ran even though I'm not Muslim.

 

[redleghunter]

Hmm ... no more a stretch than the number of non-Christians who frequent Christian Forums.

 

[keith99]

It's not really a stretch if you think about it. People often inherit bibles, and even non-religious people can and do read them. I've been given tons of bibles over the years, some quite old, and one was a family bible complete with birth and death records. I've often considered passing most of them on to new homes. Of all the bibles I own, I only ever use the same one though.

And most of those my age who do not identify as Christian grew up in a Christian environment. That means one of the many Bibles I own is one I 'won' fro memorizing Scripture before I was 10. I've got more than 4 Bibles and that is not counting the interlineal I have so I can check the actual original languages when I am in the mood.

EDIT: 6 1/2 different translations (For the Today's English Version I only have a NT). 2 more that are duplicates. 3 more after that which are in German (My ex wife is German). And 3 reference works that are interlineal each covering 1/2 a Bible. Oh and a Koran that predates the most recent changes in spelling for the title and a Book of Morman that I took from a motel in Utah (There was a notice saying take it if you like).

That only counts one that is not in the general shelves of my home library. There could be more elsewhere.

Of those one each were 'won' for memorizing Scripture by my brother and me and one was a gift from my paternal grandmother to my parents.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

I have a Qu'ran and a Book of Mormon...I am neither Muslim nor Mormon. I have probably 20+ bibles in my possession.

And...I've read the bible cover to cover quite a few times...and I really wasn't a church-goer until I moved here...AND...my views are definitely shaped by the Gospels...even though I get called a "liberal" all the time...and I am...Matthew 25:31-46 really hit home with me a long time ago and it is what I endeavor to live by, every single day.

 

[Rick Otto]

It takes 6 or 7 to make a decent stack for those occasions when you need to swear on a stack ~.