Interim Results to the Bible Poll
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Although the poll is still running, the interim totals for the Bible poll, as of Tuesday 5th February 2008, are as follows:

Preferred version for personal use

15 versions now appear in our poll; although the Hebrew/Greek and the literal version are unspecified.  

The NRSV still rates as the most popular version with the NIV and NASB recently beginning attract more votes.  

 

Bible Versions used in Churches

49% of those responding indicated that their choice of Bible version was different from that normally used within their church. However, it must be noted that roughly a quarter of returned forms omitted any mention of versions used within church services. 

Although incomplete, it has been decided to use this data as a way of indicating the most popular versions used within churches (denominations are unknown) and as a comparison against those used for personal purposes.   

 

Stated reasons for preference of version for personal use 

89% of the comments concerning the choice of preference related to issues of translation of the text. Of these: 

  1. 75% cite the accuracy of translation from the Hebrew and Greek and the way the English reflects the original language as a major concern. 

  2. 9% refer to theological tendency within the English translation as a primary factor for their choice. 

  3.  19% cited other reasons which include: ease of memorisation, familiarity, popularity. 

Some respondents expressed more than one reason for their choice of Bible version.

11% of respondents stated that printed/electronic helps and readers' aids associated with a particular version influenced their choice.

 

Other Information 

10.5% of the total respondents indicated that they did not attend church.

 

 

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