Literal belief in Bible down

By Preetom Bhattacharya

Religion News Service

A little more than one quarter of Americans believe the Bible is the literal word of God, down 10 percentage points since 1976.

According to a recent survey by the Gallup Poll, 28 percent of Americans believe the Bible is literally true, compared to 38 percent 30 years ago. The survey was conducted among 1,002 adults, aged 18 or older. Nearly half, 49 percent, said the Bible was the "inspired word of God," while 19 percent called it an "ancient book of fables." Only 3 percent had no opinion.

Eddie Gibbs, professor of church growth at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., said the "responses are cultural rather than reflecting of a deeper personal belief; the Bible has lost its position of cultural prominence."

The survey asked respondents if they believed the Bible was the actual word of God and should be taken word-for-word; whether it was inspired by God, but should not be taken literally; whether it is a book of fables and legends; or whether the person has no opinion of the Bible.

Between 1976 and 1984, the same poll showed between 37 percent and 40 percent of Americans chose the "actual word of God" option.

Gibbs said "broader culture has cast doubts and raises questions about all Scripture, leading to pluralism all around."

The research considered age, geographic region, education level, political views, and religious identity as predictors to a person's view about the Bible.

Literal belief in the Bible was highest among older Americans (36 percent), those with lowest levels of education (39 percent), Southerners (39 percent), Republicans (33 percent), and Protestants and other non-Catholic Christians (37 percent).

"Older Americans grew up in a time where the Bible was more culturally relevant," Gibbs said, "which leads to a very significant emotional hold later in their lives."

The poll carried a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.