TORONTO (RNS) - In surveys of more than 1,000 adults conducted last month in both Canada and the United States, Gallup gave respondents a choice of three options to describe their beliefs: The Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally; the Bible is the inspired word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally; or the Bible is an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by humans.

Twice as many Americans as Canadians believe that the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally - 34 percent versus 17 percent respectively.

About half of both Americans (48 percent) and Canadians (51 percent) agree the Bible is the inspired word of God but that not everything in it should be taken literally.

Fifteen percent of Americans believe the Bible is a collection of fables, legends and writings of people, while 29 percent of Canadians agree.