Less Than Four in Ten Americans Accept Bible as Completely Accurate

A new survey reveals a significant divide in how Americans view the accuracy and authority of the Bible, with just over one-third agreeing that Scripture is completely reliable in its teachings. The findings point to a marked shift from decades past, when biblical authority was far more widely accepted across American society.

The Numbers Tell a Complex Story

The American Bible Society released findings from its State of the Bible USA 2025 report in October, based on responses from 2,656 American adults surveyed in January. When asked whether they agreed that "the Bible is totally accurate in all the principles it presents," only 36 percent answered affirmatively, while 39 percent disagreed outright. The remaining quarter of respondents were either uncertain or had mixed views.

"A half-century ago, Americans generally trusted the Bible. Attitudes are more complex these days," explained John Farquhar Plake, the organization's chief innovation officer. The data reveals what Plake describes as a nation "grappling with Scripture and its meaning for our lives."

The skepticism runs deeper among certain groups. Nearly a quarter of all respondents characterized the Bible as merely "another book of teachings written by people that contains stories and advice." More troubling for religious leaders, 18 percent of Americans believe the Bible was "written to control or manipulate other people."

Faith Communities Show Divided Views

The divide is sharpest when examining different religious groups. Among practicing Christians—those who attend church at least monthly and consider their faith very important—an overwhelming 88 percent affirmed the Bible's total accuracy. However, this drops precipitously among casual Christians, with only 45 percent agreeing with that statement.

Among non-Christians, 70 percent rejected the notion that the Bible is totally accurate, while just 12 percent affirmed it. Those who identify with no religion, often called "nones," showed the most skepticism, with 60 percent viewing it as just another book and half believing it was designed for manipulation.

A Decades-Long Decline

The trend represents a dramatic shift over recent decades. Historical Gallup polling data shows that in 1984, roughly 40 percent of Americans accepted the Bible as the literal word of God. By 2022, that figure had plummeted to 20 percent. More recent research from Lifeway in 2025 places biblical literalism at just 14 percent of the population.

The middle-ground position—that the Bible is inspired by God but not everything should be taken literally—has held relatively stable at around 49 percent of Americans. Meanwhile, those who view Scripture as merely a collection of fables and history have steadily increased, now representing 29 percent of the population.

Trust in Religion Among Other Institutions

The Bible survey was part of a broader examination of trust in American institutions. On a scale of zero to four, with four representing very high trust, religion scored an average of 1.8. This placed it ahead of arts and entertainment, business, government, and media, but behind families, medicine, and education.

Seventeen percent of respondents reported having no trust in religion whatsoever, though this was considerably lower than the percentages expressing no trust in government (22 percent) or media (29 percent).

Mixed Signals About Scripture's Impact

Despite the skepticism about accuracy, the survey revealed that many Americans still credit the Bible with positive influence. A majority of 58 percent agreed with the statement that "the message of the Bible has transformed my life," suggesting that even those uncertain about its literal truth may find personal meaning in its teachings.

This paradox—doubting the Bible's accuracy while acknowledging its transformative power—reflects what researchers describe as the complexity of modern American attitudes toward faith and Scripture. As Plake noted, while nearly one in five Americans view the Bible with suspicion, twice that many still trust it as totally accurate.

Implications for Religious Communities

The findings present both challenges and opportunities for religious leaders and communities. The data suggests a growing need for biblical education and engagement, particularly among younger generations who have grown up in an increasingly secular cultural environment.

At the same time, the persistence of belief among core religious communities—with nine in ten practicing Christians affirming biblical accuracy—indicates that traditional faith communities maintain strong internal cohesion around Scripture's authority, even as the broader culture grows more skeptical.

The survey results underscore a nation in transition, where long-held assumptions about the Bible's place in American life can no longer be taken for granted, and where competing narratives about Scripture's nature and authority continue to shape public discourse and private belief.