An old joke goes that a door-to-door Bible salesman knocked on the front door of a house to sell his holy wares, only to be told by the homeowner: “Sorry, we don’t read the Bible. We’re Catholic.”
It’s a punchline that draws a chuckle, but is it one rooted in truth? Knowing that the Bible is the backbone of the Christian faith and that the Roman Catholic Church is its largest denomination, it almost seems absurd to assert that its Scripture could have no place in the lives of millions. Still, when we think of people we know who can deftly quote chapter and verse, they more often than not seem to belong to Protestant denominations instead. So what’s the truth? Is it true that Catholics don’t read the Bible? Let’s take a closer look.
Sharing Space With Rituals
What is true, admittedly, is that Protestant faiths have placed more emphasis on personal Bible study. This has its roots in the Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s doctrine of sola scriptura: the belief that the Bible itself, not its learned readers, is the only authority on matters of faith. Other Protestant denominations have mitigated this belief by merely making Scripture the foremost authority rather than the solitary one. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church maintained that extrabiblical ecclesiastical traditions, such as the rituals of the sacraments and the teachings of the Church, were equally important to the lives of parishioners. The Bible’s importance despite a lack of primacy is what informs the misconception that Catholics don’t read their own Scripture.
Apocryphal Origins
Not only is it true that Catholics do read the Bible, but they read from an expanded version that contains additional books. The Catholic Church’s edition of the Bible contains 14 additional books in the Old Testament—books that were part of the Septuagint, an early Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, but are not quoted in the books of the New Testament. These books comprise the Apocrypha, or what the Catholic Church refers to as the deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament, and the inclusion or omission of these 14 books is perhaps the largest difference between Catholic and Protestant Bibles.
There’s No Mass Without the Bible
The claim that the Bible plays no part in Catholicism becomes more absurd when one considers Mass and the outsize role that Scripture plays in that ritual. Even if everyday Bible study isn’t a part of parishioners’ lives, religious education and participation in Mass familiarizes Catholics with the words of the Bible. That being said, if it ever is a matter of needing someone to cite chapter and verse, that does seem to be Protestant territory.
Voices That Shaped the Festival’s Last Utah Chapter: An Emotional Farewell to Sundance in Utah
For forty-five winters, the Sundance Film Festival transformed Utah’s mountains into a global crossroads of creativity.
Filmmakers, dreamers, locals, and visitors walked the snowy streets of Park City with the same shared hope;
that stories bold, strange, intimate, and revolutionary could change the world.
In 2026, that tradition reaches its final chapter before the festival relocates to Colorado.
Each January, leaders from around the globe gather in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
This high-altitude summit has become a symbol of dialogue, cooperation, and sometimes controversy, as political, business, academic
and civil society leaders confront the world’s most pressing challenges, from economic instability and climate change to technology,
security, and social inequality.
Dates: January 19–23, 2026
Theme: “A Spirit of Dialogue”
Participants: Over 2,500 leaders from around the world
What Is the World Economic Forum?
The World Economic Forum is an international organization for public–private cooperation. Founded in 1971, it brings together
leaders from governments, companies, international organizations, and civil society to discuss global issues and explore
collaborative solutions. The annual meeting in Davos is its flagship event, where hundreds of sessions, panels, and informal
gatherings shape debates that often influence policy and business decisions worldwide.
Every January, the United States pauses to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a minister, activist, and visionary whose moral courage reshaped the nation. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than a federal holiday. It is a moment of reflection, service, and recommitment to the ideals of equality and dignity for all people. As the world continues to evolve, the meaning of this day grows with it, inviting each generation to carry forward Dr. King’s unfinished work.
A Brief History of Dr. King’s Life and Leadership
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, into a family deeply rooted in faith and community leadership. Guided by the teachings of his father, Reverend Martin Luther King Sr., and inspired by the nonviolent philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, King emerged as one of the most influential leaders of the American civil rights movement.
Food processing facilities constantly strive for higher efficiency to meet growing consumer demands and maintain profitability. Efficiency improvements not only enhance productivity but also help reduce costs, minimize waste, and ensure the safe handling of food. By implementing strategies to increase efficiency in your food processing facility, you can streamline operations and ensure long-term success.
Living in a smaller home or apartment has its charms, but as time passes, finding a place for everything is challenging. But don’t worry! You don’t need a massive renovation or a bigger house. Reclaim your square footage and stop tripping over shoes in the hallway with some creative storage solutions for small spaces that offer a fresh perspective.
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