Confused Americans Attribute Bible Quote to Captain America
A survey conducted on behalf of the American Bible Society found that 63 percent incorrectly believed that a verse found in 2 Corinthians was actually a quote from either Martin Luther King Jr., former President George W. Bush, or the patriotic superhero, Captain America.
The verse in question was 2 Corinthians 4:8, which in the Contemporary English Version reads, "We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up."
The majority of those who judged incorrectly attributed the quote to Martin Luther King Jr.
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The survey of 2,572 adults was conducted by Harris Interactive earlier this month, as they looked ahead to the fast approaching 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The survey also found that 36 percent of Americans felt safer prior to the 9/11 than they do today, with only nine percent saying that they feel safer now.
While only four percent said that they dealt with trauma mostly by using professional counseling services, over four times as many (16 percent) said that they rely on the Bible the most when coping with traumatic situations.
Overall, the vast majority (82 percent) of Americans say that they rely on something other than the Bible to cope with trauma, and six percent say they rely on nothing at all.
"Though 10 years have passed since the attacks on the U.S., many of us vividly recall the images and emotions of that day," said Geof Morin, chief communications officer for the ABS, in a statement.
"Sept. 11 forced us as individuals and as a nation to choose between being prisoner of the trauma of that terrible day or finding the hope and freedom to move forward," Morin said. "For thousands of Americans, the comfort offered through the Bible allowed them to choose freedom."
The ABS and The Salvation Army have collaborated with each other to create The Freedom Bible, a Contemporary English Version of the scriptures that highlights over 3,500 verses covering topics like freedom, fear, anger, suffering, loss and more, all issues American's were forced to deal with in the time immediately following 9/11.
"The Bible – not politicians, comic book heroes or civil rights activists – was the first to speak out about dealing with trauma and gaining freedom," said the National Commander for The Salvation Army, Commissioner William Roberts.
The Freedom Bible is out now available at Bibles.com and at the ABS bookstore in Manhattan. It will also be available at LifeWay and Family Christian Stores, in addition to Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and ChristianBooks.com beginning late Sept.
