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Internet Bible Reading Surges; 4 in 10 Now Read God's Word Digitally

  • Religion Today Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Sep 05, 2013

While an amazing 88 percent of American homes own a Bible, more and more are switching to the Internet, cell phones and iPads to read God's word, according to a sweeping new survey of Bible use, the Washington Examiner reports. In their latest survey of Bible use, the American Bible Society finds that 41 percent of Americans used the Internet to read the Bible on a computer. Some 29 percent said they searched Bible verses on a cell phone, and 17 percent said they read an electronic version of the Bible on a Kindle or iPad. The trend is similar in the news business, with readers shifting to digital over paper. "The data shows a continual shift to digital content," said the American Bible Society. "The number of Bible readers who use their smart phone or cell phone to search for Bible content has increased each year, with a 6 percent increase in the use of this format from 2012. Use of internet to find Bible content has also increased, up 4 percent from 2011." According to the survey, the most read and searched version of the Bible was the King James version. Thirty-eight percent preferred that over the New King James version, which just 14 percent prefer.