Biblical Literalism Is At A Record Low In The U.S.

The charts above are from the Gallup Poll. They show that a record low percentage of Americans view the bible as the literal word of god -- dropping from 38% in 1976 to only 24% currently. Also at a record level (a record high) is the percentage who believe the bible is just a book of fables written by men -- climbing from 13% in 1976 to 26% currently. It marks the first time in the Gallup Poll where the number saying it's a book of fables is larger than the number saying it's the literal word of god. Note that the belief in literalism has dropped in every gender, age, and religious group.

The latest Gallup Poll on this subject was done between May 3rd and 7th of a random national sample of 1,011 adults, with a margin of error of 4 points.