If you are reading this from a western country, you likely live in a place with broad legal rights and freedoms—a luxury that allows you to freely read and share Scripture with others without looking over your shoulder.
You may not realize that up to 1 in 4 people on earth do not, in one way or another, have this same level of freedom.
In closed totalitarian regimes, oppressive theocracies, and heavily monitored states, the distribution of the Bible is either outright banned or severely restricted. In these environments, the definition of a "crime" is often dangerously broad: simply possessing a copy of the Scripture, sharing a verse digitally, or handing a physical Bible to another person can trigger severe legal penalties, prolonged imprisonment, or even death. In many countries without such harsh legal restrictions, Christians still face significant challenges in accessing and sharing the Bible due to operational, social, and economic factors.
We take for granted what others risk everything to hold.
- Read the Word with fresh eyes and a deep awareness of the cost borne by believers around the globe.
- Pray on it with a thankful heart for the freedoms you enjoy, and pray earnestly for the Lord to open doors for access and unhindered reading for people living in censored regions.
- Share it wide and far, holding fast to the truth while it can be freely spoken—and even when it can't.
Not sure where to start reading?
We suggest starting with the Gospel of John to get to know Jesus and his teachings, then reading Acts and Romans to continue the story. You can read a Psalm each day for prayer, comfort, or for reflection, and a chapter of Proverbs each day. Take your time, and enjoy noticing what speaks to you.
For more resources to share, visit our Good News page. If your Internet connection has low bandwidth, try reading the Bible at our basic reader site.
If you are operating in a censored region, a similar version of this site is accessible securely over the Tor network at x3aguauayohj26fmerfoapxaw5xso2fv54cti4n5t7ydcgdzhakeqbad.onion
We would love to hear from you. Reach out to us anytime at contact@bannedbible.com