The Book of Common Prayer, reaching back to my Anglican days, is and always has been in the public domain. Although the poetic language and culturally relevant phrases could by charged for use, they’re not. The idea seems right-headed to me. Although the Church of England, like many other religious bodies, has its own specific theology and approach to things, which it believes is right, as opposed to all other belief systems, it shows its conviction in making its sacred text free. Copyright exists to protect intellectual property. If an individual or an institution, or a company, creates something, copyright assures them that nobody else can monetize it without the creator’s permission, and often such permission involves a royalty. The C of E has foregone that. Print away!
I tarried many years among the Episcopalians before it became clear to me that I wasn’t exactly the kind of saint they were looking for. I’ve had to move on, but I very deeply appreciate the integrity of an institution that says, “I made this, but you can have it. I really believe in it.” If you’ve decided to print and sell religious books, however, beware the Bible. Most of the common translations in circulation (apart from the good old King James) are covered by copyright. Unlike the Church of England, the bodies that sponsor Bible translations expect to be paid for the use of said translation. This is, in part, a business decision. They have valuable property—for many the keys of salvation itself—and if you want it you should be willing to pay for it.
This contrast has often struck me as very odd. How capitalist religion has become! In what do Bible translating bodies really believe? Believe me, I know that any large publishing effort requires a lot of work. Resources. Still, those who do the translating generally have church or university jobs. They’ve already got a steady stream of income, no? And yet they will expect to be paid their billed hours for bringing the truth to the world. I’m not a good investment thinker. Money doesn’t really motivate me. This is one of the reasons I have tried several times to find acceptance as a clergy person. My values seem out of sync with the rest of the world. I even bothered to learn the original languages in which the Bible was written, the better to read, mark, and inwardly digest them. Still, I wonder if those who truly believe would not feel more authentic giving away all they have in order to attain the kingdom of Heaven.
