Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by religious group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who have completed…

Religious traditionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Buddhist19%32%30%19%146
Catholic45%27%18%10%3,778
Evangelical Protestant51%34%11%5%1,457
Hindu3%9%34%54%119
Historically Black Protestant58%32%7%4%306
Jewish16%22%33%29%578
Mainline Protestant38%29%20%13%2,628
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")36%32%19%12%6,101
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: High school or less, Some college, College, Post-graduate degree

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are ages…

Educational distribution18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
High school or less27%30%26%18%4,499
Some college32%32%23%12%4,037
College22%40%24%14%4,323
Post-graduate degree10%44%27%19%2,918
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…

Educational distributionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
High school or less20%12%24%31%12%1%4,499
Some college22%19%25%27%7%1%4,037
College9%22%31%29%8%1%4,323
Post-graduate degree2%18%35%34%11%1%2,918
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…

Educational distributionMenWomenSample size
High school or less57%43%4,541
Some college52%48%4,081
College51%49%4,400
Post-graduate degree50%50%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who identify as…

Educational distributionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
High school or less67%8%2%19%3%4,502
Some college74%6%4%12%4%4,032
College79%4%7%8%3%4,341
Post-graduate degree79%3%11%5%3%2,945
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…

Educational distributionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
High school or less16%10%74%4,461
Some college10%13%77%4,048
College12%12%75%4,376
Post-graduate degree18%12%69%2,953
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who have a household income of…

Educational distributionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
High school or less47%22%20%10%3,892
Some college29%23%32%17%3,613
College12%16%34%38%3,932
Post-graduate degree8%10%29%53%2,663
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…

Educational distributionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
High school or less39%9%13%7%31%4,521
Some college41%10%13%4%32%4,075
College55%9%8%3%24%4,381
Post-graduate degree64%8%9%4%16%2,974
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…

Educational distributionParentsNon-parentsSample size
High school or less25%75%4,531
Some college26%74%4,067
College28%72%4,392
Post-graduate degree32%68%2,975
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say they…

Educational distributionBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
High school or less47%28%9%1%13%2%4,541
Some college40%27%9%1%18%4%4,081
College33%28%11%1%24%5%4,400
Post-graduate degree27%29%12%1%26%5%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say religion is…

Educational distributionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
High school or less31%34%17%17%1%4,541
Some college22%34%21%22%1%4,081
College18%32%24%26%1%4,400
Post-graduate degree17%30%24%28%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who attend religious services…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less13%33%53%< 1%4,541
Some college9%36%54%< 1%4,081
College11%37%51%< 1%4,400
Post-graduate degree11%38%50%< 1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who pray…

Educational distributionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less32%18%9%40%1%4,541
Some college28%18%10%44%1%4,081
College23%18%8%51%< 1%4,400
Post-graduate degree23%16%9%52%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who attend prayer group…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less5%3%4%87%< 1%4,541
Some college3%3%4%89%< 1%4,081
College3%2%4%92%< 1%4,400
Post-graduate degree3%3%4%91%< 1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who meditate…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less23%6%4%66%1%4,541
Some college25%10%4%61%1%4,081
College25%9%6%58%1%4,400
Post-graduate degree28%10%7%55%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less39%14%12%34%1%4,541
Some college42%19%12%27%1%4,081
College41%20%15%23%1%4,400
Post-graduate degree40%19%16%23%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less34%13%14%38%1%4,541
Some college42%17%14%26%1%4,081
College42%18%16%23%< 1%4,400
Post-graduate degree41%19%19%20%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Educational distributionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
High school or less17%9%62%11%2%4,541
Some college11%14%61%12%2%4,081
College8%17%55%18%2%4,400
Post-graduate degree8%21%48%21%2%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say…

Educational distributionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less24%74%1%1%4,541
Some college24%74%2%1%4,081
College22%76%1%1%4,400
Post-graduate degree21%77%2%< 1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say the holy scripture is…

Educational distributionWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less23%24%2%43%8%4,541
Some college10%23%1%58%9%4,081
College4%20%1%69%7%4,400
Post-graduate degree2%15%< 1%75%7%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …in heaven

Educational distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less67%25%8%4,541
Some college58%33%9%4,081
College46%46%8%4,400
Post-graduate degree39%52%8%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …in hell

Educational distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less51%40%9%4,541
Some college43%49%9%4,081
College30%62%7%4,400
Post-graduate degree23%70%8%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who identify as…

Educational distributionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
High school or less33%25%42%4,541
Some college32%18%50%4,081
College31%12%57%4,400
Post-graduate degree25%10%65%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…

Educational distributionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
High school or less31%34%25%10%4,541
Some college24%39%31%6%4,081
College20%39%38%3%4,400
Post-graduate degree13%37%47%3%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who would rather have…

Educational distributionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
High school or less48%45%3%4%4,541
Some college53%39%4%4%4,081
College51%43%3%3%4,400
Post-graduate degree44%49%4%3%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say government aid to the poor…

Educational distributionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less46%47%4%3%4,541
Some college43%52%4%1%4,081
College37%57%4%2%4,400
Post-graduate degree30%65%3%2%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say abortion should be…

Educational distributionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
High school or less59%36%5%4,541
Some college71%25%4%4,081
College79%18%3%4,400
Post-graduate degree82%15%2%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say homosexuality…

Educational distributionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less70%22%4%4%4,541
Some college81%14%3%3%4,081
College87%9%2%1%4,400
Post-graduate degree89%8%2%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …same-sex marriage

Educational distributionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
High school or less59%31%9%4,541
Some college75%19%6%4,081
College82%13%4%4,400
Post-graduate degree85%11%4%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say…

Educational distributionStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less41%54%2%4%4,541
Some college31%64%2%2%4,081
College24%72%2%1%4,400
Post-graduate degree19%78%2%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by educational group

% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say humans…

Educational distributionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
High school or less40%22%4%28%5%4,541
Some college50%25%5%18%2%4,081
College65%19%5%10%2%4,400
Post-graduate degree71%16%5%8%1%2,982
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.