March brings 'Bible Month' in France
A poster put out by the French Bible Society advertises for Bible Month. Screenshot Alliance Biblique
Western Europe
March is the perfect month for Bible reading in France, says the nation's Bible Society. Yes, France is a secular country. But no, that does not mean people are not interested in the Bible.
With around 200 participating bookshops, the Bible has received special attention during March. Each year, several churches and bookstores in France celebrate Le Mois de la Bible (Month of the Bible), which is organised by the French Bible Society.
The goal is to raise awareness of the Bible as the Word of God and its message of inspiration that has sustained hundreds of generations.
CNE spoke with Nicolas Fouquet, the director of projects at the French Bible Society (Alliance Biblique Française).
What is Bible Month?
Every year, the French Bible Society organises Bible Month, which aims to raise awareness of the Bible and its significance to everyone in the country. A website entitled Le Mois de La Bible (Month of the Bible) has been launched to educate users about the Word of God. This year's theme is "The Bible, a source of hope."
The Bible, the authors write on the website, is similar to opening up a large library.
The book involves a collection of several books. The Bible, the website writes, can be classified further in terms of its architecture (Old and New Testament), whether it is a Catholic or Protestant Bible, its versions (King James Version or New International Version), and seeing the Bible as a story. The Old Testament awaits the arrival of the Messiah, and the New Testament brings the fulfilment of a Saviour named Jesus Christ, according to its website.
Who participates in Bible Month?
How is it celebrated in France? Individuals, both young and old, as well as churches and bookstores. We work with religious bookstores, Nicolas Fouquet says, the director of projects at the French Bible Society. The staff at the French Bible Society who organise Le Mois de La Bible work with at least 200 religious-based bookstores to educate customers about the Bible and its many translations.
Magazines and bookmarks about the Bible are printed every year. To raise awareness of the event, the French Bible Society staff distributes around 20,000 copies of Bible-based magazines and 30,000 bookmarks to these bookstores. Public donations fund this project. Those who come to these participating bookstores can also have a chance to get advice on buying a Bible. Fouquet says the benefit of getting this advice in person is that you can get an expert opinion on purchasing a suitable Bible for your needs.
"We want to encourage people to go to the bookstore," he says.
How many years have you had this event in France?
Nicolas Fouquet, who coordinated Bible Month, says that the event began in 2018 and continues to grow yearly in the number of participating bookstores and churches.
Why have it in March?
As this initiative began with a partnership with bookshops, the French Bible Society came to them with a calendar, and they discussed the idea of organising a Bible Month event together. During the year, bookshops have many periods that are full of work. So, they decided to choose a month which was more quiet to organise Bible Month. This way, booksellers can take the time to organise conferences or set up their bookshop, especially for Bible Month.
Given France's strong influence of secularism, do you have many people who show interest in the Bible? Fouquet explains that many thirst for spirituality despite France's pride in being a secular state. They turn to different answers, but many remain interested in knowing the message of the Bible.
"Our mission is to make the Bible known to as many people as possible and to help them understand it. Then, everyone is free to form their own opinion on these texts," he notes.
Any plans for the future when it comes to this annual occasion?
Fouquet mentions that the French Bible Society staff would like to encourage more partners to coordinate events during Bible Month to educate others about the Bible's significance. He believes that if many bookshops get involved, there could be more action among the churches.
"We also think we can do more with the churches. We want to help more people by doing something with Bible Month. Everyone can become a participant of Bible Month," he also says.
Less French Protestants reading the Bible compared to 15 years ago
Regarding Bible-reading habits in France, recent data shows that only 20 per cent of French Protestants read the Bible weekly. In 2010 that figure was at 34 per cent, according to a Protestant Federation of France (FPF) poll that was reported in the French publication La Vie.
Among the 700 respondents, those who classified themselves as "evangelical" were more likely to read the Bible regularly (at 39 per cent) than those who identified as merely "Protestants" (11 per cent).
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