A March (1994) poll for U.S. News and World Report’s April 11 issue found that 93% of Americans say they believe in God or a universal spirit. Of those polled, 65% say religion is losing its influence on American life, although 62% say religion is increasing its influence in their personal lives. Other findings:

• The Bible is the actual word of God to be taken literally, word for word: 34%
• The Bible is the inspired word of God, but not everything in it can be taken literally: 46%
• The Bible is an ancient book of legends, history and moral precepts, recorded by man: 16%
• God is a heavenly father who can be reached by prayers: 76%
• God is an idea, not a being: 11%
• God is an impersonal creator: 8%