items of interest

with contributions from Jennifer Robison, Mark Lisheron, Bill Bishop, Lindsev Kingston, John M. Grange

"THOUGH AMERICANS ARE OBVIOUSLY INTERESTED in material things, Gallup Polls consistently reveal a high level of religiosity among the general public.... A December 2002 Gallup Poll on Americans' reading habits seems to reflect that point. Americans who said they read at least one book a year were asked what genre they're most likely to read.... Twenty-four percent said they are 'very likely' to read books on religion and theology....

"American's interest in religious literature may be unexpected, but it's not inexplicable. 'It's a surprise to me,' said John Seifert, manager of the Lincoln, Neb., branch of the Family Christian Stores. 'But I think 9/11 had quite an impact, and it's still carrying over.

We're living in a different age... problems are more complex.' The poll results provide some support for Seifert's speculation. When asked about their motivation for reading, just 14 percent of respondents who said they are very likely to read religious books said they read mostly for 'entertainment,' while 68 percent said they mostly read 'to learn something.' This compares to 32 percent of all readers who do so mainly for entertainment and 47 percent who [read] mainly to learn. Such a finding may reflect the fact that two of the December 23 Publisher's Weekly hardcover nonfiction top 10 best sellers are spiritual in nature, and both suggest paths to personal happiness and peace."

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