Should the Bible be Copyrighted?

We believe that it is immoral to inhibit anyone’s access to God.

This includes any restriction, copyright or otherwise, to his written word, the bible.

Most commercially available bible texts are protected by copyright laws that are designed to restrict to varying degrees a person’s ability to interact with that text. Producers insist those copyrights restrictions are necessary to protect the expensive investment in and further development of their work.

Today, a bible text can be produced more quickly and completely with the same level of scholarship and professionalism by teams of interested enthusiasts contributing to the effort virtually (online) and using open development methods at little to no financial cost to the producer.

Recorded within the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 10, is an interesting account. In it, Jesus is instructing his band of twelve disciples just before he sends them out to spread his gospel and do miraculous signs in his name. In those days it was customary that a disciple, once sent out, could charge a fee for his teachings and services. Although it is not recorded, this issue must have come up because Jesus makes it clear that they are to be completely dependent on God alone for provision. To paraphrase, Jesus tells them, “You received this teaching from me free of charge, so you go and give it to others freely as well!”

Jesus wants his message to be freely shared and he wants his followers to understand their total dependence on their heavenly father to provide for their needs. Copyrighting a biblical text to protect an organizations interests, whether financial, intellectual, or otherwise appears to be contrary to what Jesus wanted.

We believe that a modern, easily readable and freely shareable bible text should exist unrestricted in the ‘public domain.’ It should be created and maintained using open development methods so that anyone can access it, contribute to it, and share it with others without obligation or restriction.

We would like to see an effort begun to build a team of volunteers, enthusiastically dedicated to the development of just such a bible text using freely available open-source tools.

Develop an audio version of the PSV using highly natural sounding electronic voice models featuring both male and female voices in various dialects.

Work with like-minded partners to print and publish the PSV. If necessary we will print and publish the text ourselves through the acquisition of an existing production and publishing entity or the purchase of publishing equipment necessary to accomplish the task.

We hope the PSV bible text, maintained in perpetuity, revised every decade and placed in the public domain will be a usable and useful tool for generations to come. Further, we hope that the methods used to develop it will be recognized as a ‘gold standard’ in high quality bible creation.

We hope people will appreciate the PSV as a high quality modern bible text and will develop specially curated bible products, like pastors bibles, devotional bibles, etc, around it.

We hope end users will enjoy electronic bible hardware & software that will assist them in enjoying God’s word affordably, stylishly and in context.

We hope to show commercial ‘for profit’ bible publishers a better and more ethical pathway to providing a high quality bible to those wishing to own one.

A list of resources needed to accomplish these goals will, of necessity, change and adapt based upon realities experienced in pursuit of each objective.

In the development of plans, products and procedures deference will always be given first to the use of open-source design and development methods, followed by no cost options and finally low cost solutions.

Volunteers with particular expertise as well as enthusiastic volunteers with limited skill sets wishing to contribute to the projects will be welcomed! A partial list of volunteers with expertise might include biblical scholars, language specialists, grammarians, publicists and editors, software developers, web designers, desktop publishers, hardware design specialists, etc..