Liberal-minded university and seminary professors have labored long to lure Americans away from reading their Bibles as strictly literal history. They sometimes complain that few pay heed. But Gallup Poll data suggest the professors have indeed had an impact.

In 1963, two out of three Americans told Gallup they believed "the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word.'' By 1998, only one in three took that stance, while nearly half preferred a more flexible choice: "The Bible is the inspired word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally.''

Only 17 percent favored the left-wing option, calling the Bible "an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.''

George Gallup Jr., co-chairman of the Gallup Organization and a devout Protestant, assesses poll data on the Bible in "Surveying the Religious Landscape'' (Morehouse), co-written by D. Michael Lindsay.

By RICHARD N. OSTLING AP Religion Writer Associated Press MARCH 27, 2000