A new study found that Americans are increasingly doubting the Bible.

The American Bible Society’s latest release of its annual State of the Bible report shows that a little more than a third (36 percent) of Americans trust that the Bible is “totally accurate in all its principles it presents.” Another 39 percent disagreed.

“A half-century ago, Americans generally trusted the Bible. Attitudes are more complex these days,” said John Farquhar Plake, chief innovation officer at American Bible Society and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series, in a statement.

The American Bible Society’s report focuses on Americans’ levels of trust in several social institutions, including families, medicine, education, religion, arts, entertainment, and more. For its latest release, the organization surveyed 2,656 online American adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia from January 2 through January 21, 2025.

When it comes to mistrust, almost one-fifth of the public believes that the Bible was written to control or manipulate other people, according to the study. While religion remains divided, respondents trust in the institution of family the most at 55 percent. Media and government are the least trusted institutions among the American public, at 5 and 6 percent.

29 percent of Americans report high or very high levels of trust in religion, with the older generations of Boomers trusting in religion more than younger generations.

One key finding in the survey is that trust scores drop for people who have experienced assault, abuse, or unwanted sexual contact.

Almost half (46 percent) of Americans have experienced or witnessed some kind of trauma, interpersonal or otherwise. The vast majority (89 percent) of those affected by trauma say it still impacts them today. 

The American Bible Society says it will release the final two chapters of this year's State of the Bible story in the coming months, which examines behaviors toward friends, neighbors, and generosity.