Media Release: Part 3 of 3 Religion and You Survey--Interpreting Scripture

Yesterday (5/4/10), we released part three of a three part analysis on this year's Religion and You Survey. The third part focused on how Americans intepreted scripture. I grew up in a very fundamentalist family who enforced a very literal interpretation of the Holy Bible. Such an interpretation seemed to generate intense legalism that ultimately countered the message of Love and Compassion that rings true with the message of the religion's cornerstone. It was that intepretation that really troubled me as I entered my late teens and into adulthood. Therefore, this part of the survey was of particular interest to me.

Not long ago (10 years perhaps) more than 60 percent of Americans believed in a literal interpretation. That number has shrunk significantly in that amount of time. According to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 34 percent of Americans believed in a literal interpretation. Our poll of 3,112 respondents revealed that 30 percent held to such an interpretation. Check out the Media Release at: www.thecompassionrevolution.net/media.htm . Just check out the May release.

I've also included information regarding a book entitled, Misquoting Jesus by Bart D. Ehrman. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and scholar of textual origins. He takes a very enlightening look into the impact that human hands have had on scripture, including the various religious movements that played a role in the evolution of scripture. It's interesting insight and worth a read.