The Patmos Survey: Exploring Bible Attitudes Worldwide
- mariannedavis0
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Bible, a book revered by billions, is now more accessible than ever before—and literally at our fingertips on smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. Yet, despite this unprecedented availability, how much do we truly understand the Bible’s role in people's lives around the world? Traditional measures, such as church attendance, tell only part of the story. To gain a deeper understanding, a groundbreaking study called The Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey (also known as The Patmos Survey) was recently undertaken. This research explores the attitudes and beliefs people hold about the Bible worldwide, regardless of their religious affiliation, while also taking into consideration regional influences.
About the Research
This ambitious research project was a collaborative effort led by The British and Foreign Bible Society and carried out by Gallup in 2023. It is considered the first systematic attempt to categorize and analyze complex attitudes about the Bible “within specific cultural, economic, and religious contexts” in a global setting.
The project followed a rigorous scientific approach:
Step 1: Mapped the World into "Clusters.” Researchers analyzed large global datasets from over 150 countries to identify seven distinct clusters. These clusters are groups of countries sharing similar socioreligious, cultural, economic, and demographic characteristics. This unique grouping allows for exploration of external factors that shape Bible engagement.
Step 2: Surveyed People Across the Globe. In the second phase, 91,139 adults were surveyed across 85 countries and territories in 2023 (with some fieldwork extending into early 2024). This incredibly large sample represents 3.8 billion people worldwide, encompassing diverse religious and non-religious backgrounds. Results were analyzed through the lens of the seven clusters and their audience segments.
Key Bible Engagement Discoveries
The survey's findings reveal a diverse landscape of interest and engagement with the Bible worldwide. For example:
Bible Engagement Is Everywhere. Every country cluster has at least one segment of people committed to and engaged with the Christian Bible, indicating that spiritual curiosity persists around the world.
Certain Clusters Are Highly Interested in Learning About the Bible. The segments with the most active Bible engagement and the strongest desire to delve deeply into the Bible are in Cluster 4 (Latin America) and Cluster 7 (sub-Saharan Africa). Conversely, this desire is lowest in Cluster 5 (the secular West) and Cluster 6 (Asia).
Interest in the Bible Extends Beyond Christians. A notable discovery is that 11% of respondents from diverse religious or non-religious backgrounds are open to learning more about the Bible—a finding that translates to over 250 million people.
The Bible Is Widely Valued for Future Generations. Across all clusters, people generally agree that it's beneficial for children to know at least some stories from the Bible, even if adults aren't personally interested in reading it themselves. This suggests they perceive a cultural or moral value in the Bible for upbringing.
In addition, the report highlights two significant barriers to global Bible engagement. First, there is a widespread indifference towards the Bible and religion, particularly in more secular parts of the world that were historically Christian (Europe, North America, and Australia). Second, there are still significant global populations who have never heard about the Bible.
The Seven Global Clusters
The study's categorization of countries into seven distinct clusters offers a nuanced understanding of how Bible engagement is influenced by regional factors (among others):
Cluster 1: Muslim-Majority Populations with Economic Barriers - Cluster 1 includes 12 predominantly Muslim, lower-income countries (e.g., Afghanistan, Pakistan), many with small but stable Christian populations. As a whole, the cluster exhibits a general warmth towards religion and an openness to learning from others.
Cluster 2: Declining Christian-Majority Populations that Place Low Importance on Religion – Cluster 2 is comprised of 22 countries in Southern and Eastern Europe with large Christian populations. Religion is less central in daily life, but an underlying warmth and openness toward the Bible exists.
Cluster 3: Muslim-Majority Populations with Political Barriers – Cluster 3 covers 28 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia. Although predominantly Muslim, this cluster has a stable Christian minority and places significant importance on religion. Cluster 3 is more economically developed than Cluster 1.
Cluster 4: Christian-Majority Populations with High Bible Interest & Growing Secularism - Cluster 4 is made up of 21 majority-Christian countries (in Latin America and in the Philippines). The Bible is highly regarded in this cluster and is considered one of the most vibrant clusters for Bible interest and use.
Cluster 5: Secular Populations with Low Bible Interest & a Declining Christian Population – Cluster 5 is comprised of 24 economically developed, historically Christian countries (Europe, North America, Australasia). This cluster has the highest percentage of secular individuals and widespread indifference.
Cluster 6: Diverse Religious Populations with Low Bible Awareness – Cluster 6 consists of 19 diverse countries, mostly in Asia. This cluster is religiously diverse and has a low awareness of the Bible. Few in this segment are interested in learning about religions outside their own faith.
Cluster 7: Christian-Majority Populations with High Bible Interest & High Importance on Religion – Cluster 7 encompasses 29 countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. This cluster is characterized by its warmth towards religion and high interest in the Bible.
The Patmos Survey report paints a compelling picture: while the Bible is more accessible than ever, its connection to people's lives varies significantly across the globe. Understanding the diverse attitudes and contributing factors in each cluster is an important step for making the Bible's message resonate meaningfully with people around the world.
For more information about The Patmos Initiative and other key findings from the research, visit: https://patmos.bfbs.org/.
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