Bible sales soar following Charlie Kirk’s death, sparking faith renewal
In this DML Report…
Bible sales in the United States surged following the assassination of conservative media figure Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, while he was speaking at an event in Utah. Kirk, a 31-year-old devout Christian whose political views were deeply rooted in his faith, left behind a wife, Erika Kirk, and two young children—a son who turned one in May and a daughter who turned three in August. In September 2025, 2.4 million Bibles were sold nationwide, marking a 36 percent increase from September 2024 and the highest monthly total for the year, according to Circana BookScan data. Bible sales had already risen 11 percent in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, contrasting with a 1 percent decline in overall print book sales industry-wide. Circana analyst Brenna Connor attributed the spike to troubling events in September, including violence, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty, noting that people often turn to faith for comfort during crises.
At Kirk's memorial service on September 21, 2025, Erika Kirk stated that his death had prompted a spiritual renewal among followers, with many opening Bibles for the first time in a decade, praying for the first time since childhood, or attending church services for the first time in their lives. Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, reported that Bible sales have been strong over the past two years but that Kirk's death particularly awakened people to reflect on their beliefs, with heightened interest among 18- to 34-year-olds, the demographic Kirk most engaged. James Borrero, owner of Cornerstone Christian Bookstore in Vineland, New Jersey, observed an increased demand not only for Bibles but for all Christian-related items since the shooting.
(read more below)
The incident has been linked to broader trends in religious engagement, with faith leaders reporting a 15 percent increase in church attendance in late September 2025, termed the "Charlie Kirk Effect" by Fox News. Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California noted that people are approaching churches seeking answers to questions about the meaning and purpose of life. Matt Zerrusen, co-founder of Newman Ministry, a Catholic nonprofit supporting over 200 campus ministries nationwide, confirmed a 15 percent rise in Mass attendance, stating he has not encountered anyone who has not seen such an increase.