(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) A record low of 20% of Americans say that the Bible is the literal word of God. According to Gallup, this is down from 24% in a survey what was done in 2017 and half of what it was in the 1980’s.
A new high of 29% of people interviewed say that the Bible is a volume of “fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.”
This is the first time in American history that citizens have viewed the Bible as not divinely inspired, as opposed to the belief that it is the literal word of God.
Forty-nine percent of respondents chose the middle alternative of “inspired word of God,” which was in keeping with previous years.
The Bible is not the only religious book that showed a declining interest. A general decline in religious beliefs has been occurring within the U.S. adult population for several decades.
Gallup has measured formal identification with religion, self-reported membership in a church, self-reported religious service attendance, personal importance of religion and belief in God since 1976, when the survey was started.
The information showed that Protestant Christians were most likely to view the Bible as literally true, and almost two-thirds of Catholics believe the bible is the inspired word of God.
American’s interpretations of the Bible are important because many policy positions on moral issues are based in Christian belief. In fact, the country itself is based in Christian belief, with many of the founding fathers being devout Christians themselves.
Social media reactions to this news were mixed, to say the least:
This article fails to mention that the Catholic Bible is different from the Protestant (Canonical) version. Two major differences: The Priest is the intercessor between the Believer and God. Purgatory affords a person to atone for his/her sins after death.
— Mike Sperry (@MikeSperry48) July 7, 2022
It would be good news if there weren’t so many interpreters and so many gullible people paying attention to them.
— Roberto dos Santos G (@rdossantos) July 6, 2022
For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 I guess this verse makes perfect sense now. 😉
— Rizaco (@kars_motor) July 8, 2022
It’s a book of nonsense to scare you into giving your money away.
Tell me your church doesn’t pass a public collection plate around the church every time you show up.
— Angela Sager (@AngelaSager10) July 7, 2022
