Fifty-three percent of Americans believe politicians would be more effective if they read the Bible more often, according to the 2016 State of the Bible survey. Conducted by American Bible Society and Barna Group, the annual survey gathers data about how Americans engage with the Bible and its message. This year’s survey also reports that 51 percent of Americans believe politics would be more civil if politicians engaged in regular Bible reading.

American Bible Society President & CEO Roy Peterson believes God’s Word has a key role at this pivotal moment for American culture. “As America is shaken by skepticism, this is the time to renew hope in the promises of God’s Word,” Peterson says. “When people are battling extreme violence, poverty and oppression, this is our time to open the healing words of Scripture.”