Conservatively interpreted, the surveys show that around 4 per cent of young people read the
Bible daily, another 6 per cent read it weekly, and 15 to 20 per cent read it very occasionally.
About 70 per cent never read it. The frequency of Bible reading is a little greater among older
young people, although this is probably a result of changing history patterns over generations and
not related to age.
Of those who read the Bible daily or weekly, most attend church services and youth activities, such
as a Bible study group. Most also have parents and friends who attend church frequently. Those
who read it frequently are mostly involved in Protestant Evangelical or Charismatic
denominations, such as the Pentecostals, Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Seventh-day
Adventists.
For a full account of Bible engagement among young people, click here to read the full report which was commissioned by the Bible Society (South Australia). 
Research Papers
The CRA regularly makes information about religion in Australia available in research papers.
Bible Engagement Among Australian Young People
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010A Maze Or A System?
Monday, April 19th, 2010A Maze or a System? explores the changes that have occurred since the 1970s in the ways Australians have seen the world. It argues that the worldview has changed from ‘a system’ to ‘a maze’. It looks at implictions of this change in worship, education and theology. Please feel free to download this sample Research Paper.
Reaction, Introspection And Exploration: Diversity In Journeys Out Of Faith
Monday, April 19th, 2010This research paper, written by Zina O’Leary, tells the story of people who have moved out of religious faith.
Social Capital And Religious Faith
Monday, April 19th, 2010This paper was written by Philip Hughes (CRA), John Bellamy (NCLS) and Alan Black (Edith Cowan University). It was published by Zadok, but is available from the CRA. The paper explores the nature of social capital and the ways in which religious faith contributes or fails to contribute to it.
Values And Religion: A Case Study Of Environmental Concern
Monday, April 19th, 2010Written by Philip Hughes, this paper explores the relationship between attitudes towards the environment and Christian belief among Australians. It uses data from the 1994 National Social Science Survey.