April 23, 2005--Sixty-three percent (63%) of Americans believe the Bible is literally true and the Word of God. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 24% disagree and say it is not.

A related survey found that 47% of Americans pray every day or nearly every day.

Among Evangelical Christians, 89% believe the Bible is literally true and just 4% say it is not. Among other Protestants, 70% believe the Bible is literally true. That view is shared by 58% of Catholics.

By a 4-to-1 margin, those who believe the Bible is literally true have a favorable opinion of the new Pope.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of women believe the Bible is literally true along with 61% of men.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Republicans believe in the literal truth of the Bible as do 59% of Democrats and 50% of those not affiliated with either major party.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of black Americans believe the Bible is literally true and is the Word of God. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of White Americans share that view along with 71% of other, primarily Hispanic, Americans.

While older Americans are a bit more likely to believe in the literal truth of the Bible, 58% of American adults under 30 hold that view.

See Demographic Data.