Читать книгу The Atlas of Religion - Joanne O'Brien - Страница 54

While 72 million bibles were distributed in 2005, another 1.5 billion were estimated already to be in place – assuming that a bible lasts for 20 years. Agencies specializing in scripture dissemination keep account of six basic categories of scriptures: complete bibles; copies of the New Testament; portions of scriptures, which are usually a copy of one of the gospels; illustrated leaflets of up to eight pages; audio gospels; video gospels. These scriptures are distributed through commercial sales in bookshops, subsidized distribution in bible societies, churches and agencies, and free distribution by Gideons and similar organizations. In addition to publications of the Bible, some 45,000 Christian periodicals in 3,000 languages, with a combined circulation of 50 million, were produced in 2005. The USA publishes the highest number, with 8,000 titles. Since the 1990s, the internet has become a major means of access to Christian scriptures, literature and discussion. The complete Bible first appeared on the internet in 1996. By 2005, it was available online in 110 languages. In 2005 there were 420 million personal computers in Christian use, and an active Christian internet network of 360 million people.