Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who seldom or never read scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 40% | 17% | 13% | 28% | 1% | 16,085 |
2007 | 35% | 14% | 16% | 32% | 3% | 15,857 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who seldom or never read scripture by religious group
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 48% | 16% | 17% | 19% | < 1% | 147 |
Catholic | 44% | 18% | 14% | 22% | 1% | 3,807 |
Evangelical Protestant | 47% | 18% | 13% | 21% | 1% | 1,462 |
Hindu | 31% | 17% | 26% | 25% | 1% | 120 |
Historically Black Protestant | 50% | 13% | 13% | 23% | 2% | 308 |
Jewish | 29% | 18% | 16% | 36% | 1% | 580 |
Mainline Protestant | 40% | 20% | 15% | 24% | 2% | 2,641 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 35% | 16% | 11% | 37% | 2% | 6,116 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are ages…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 23% | 34% | 27% | 17% | 6,486 |
Once or twice a month | 32% | 34% | 23% | 12% | 2,753 |
Several times a year | 24% | 38% | 25% | 13% | 2,065 |
Seldom/never | 27% | 34% | 23% | 17% | 4,265 |
Don't know | 18% | 25% | 26% | 30% | 251 |
Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 14% | 16% | 26% | 32% | 10% | 1% | 6,486 |
Once or twice a month | 21% | 19% | 26% | 27% | 7% | < 1% | 2,753 |
Several times a year | 14% | 17% | 30% | 30% | 7% | 1% | 2,065 |
Seldom/never | 17% | 16% | 27% | 28% | 10% | 1% | 4,265 |
Don't know | 11% | 14% | 19% | 33% | 22% | 1% | 251 |
Gender composition among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 47% | 53% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 52% | 48% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 53% | 47% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 63% | 37% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 56% | 44% | 258 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who identify as…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 69% | 7% | 4% | 16% | 4% | 6,502 |
Once or twice a month | 76% | 6% | 5% | 11% | 3% | 2,764 |
Several times a year | 74% | 5% | 6% | 12% | 2% | 2,080 |
Seldom/never | 75% | 5% | 5% | 11% | 3% | 4,286 |
Don't know | 80% | 8% | 2% | 7% | 2% | 253 |
Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 15% | 12% | 73% | 6,525 |
Once or twice a month | 12% | 10% | 77% | 2,765 |
Several times a year | 15% | 11% | 73% | 2,075 |
Seldom/never | 12% | 12% | 76% | 4,272 |
Don't know | 14% | 12% | 73% | 255 |
Income distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who have a household income of…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 31% | 20% | 26% | 23% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 27% | 20% | 28% | 25% | 2,508 |
Several times a year | 24% | 18% | 31% | 26% | 1,868 |
Seldom/never | 34% | 20% | 27% | 20% | 3,802 |
Don't know | 29% | 20% | 29% | 22% | 182 |
Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who have completed…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 37% | 32% | 19% | 12% | 6,561 |
Once or twice a month | 33% | 33% | 21% | 13% | 2,782 |
Several times a year | 35% | 28% | 21% | 15% | 2,090 |
Seldom/never | 47% | 29% | 15% | 10% | 4,313 |
Don't know | 41% | 29% | 19% | 12% | 258 |
Marital status among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 47% | 9% | 12% | 6% | 25% | 6,580 |
Once or twice a month | 45% | 10% | 10% | 3% | 32% | 2,786 |
Several times a year | 50% | 9% | 11% | 4% | 27% | 2,093 |
Seldom/never | 42% | 10% | 12% | 5% | 31% | 4,309 |
Don't know | 44% | 5% | 15% | 11% | 25% | 255 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 27% | 73% | 6,587 |
Once or twice a month | 28% | 72% | 2,779 |
Several times a year | 27% | 73% | 2,096 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 75% | 4,315 |
Don't know | 22% | 78% | 258 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say they…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 52% | 24% | 7% | 1% | 13% | 3% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 32% | 9% | < 1% | 16% | 3% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 37% | 34% | 11% | 1% | 14% | 3% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 27% | 13% | 1% | 30% | 5% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 30% | 23% | 5% | 6% | 21% | 15% | 258 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say religion is…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 37% | 30% | 15% | 18% | 1% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 21% | 42% | 20% | 17% | < 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 18% | 42% | 24% | 16% | < 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 12% | 30% | 26% | 31% | < 1% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 22% | 29% | 15% | 33% | 2% | 258 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who attend religious services…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 17% | 36% | 47% | < 1% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 11% | 44% | 46% | < 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 7% | 44% | 49% | < 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 6% | 27% | 67% | < 1% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 12% | 28% | 57% | 3% | 258 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who pray…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 42% | 19% | 7% | 32% | 1% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 24% | 23% | 12% | 40% | 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 22% | 21% | 13% | 45% | < 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 13% | 11% | 9% | 66% | 1% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 22% | 16% | 8% | 48% | 6% | 258 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who attend prayer group…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 7% | 4% | 5% | 85% | < 1% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 3% | 4% | 4% | 89% | < 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 2% | 2% | 6% | 90% | < 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 2% | 1% | 2% | 94% | < 1% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 2% | 1% | 3% | 92% | 2% | 258 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who meditate…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 39% | 9% | 4% | 48% | 1% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 20% | 14% | 6% | 60% | 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 14% | 9% | 10% | 67% | 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 11% | 5% | 3% | 80% | 1% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 21% | 7% | 4% | 59% | 9% | 258 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 53% | 13% | 10% | 22% | 1% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 26% | 14% | 21% | < 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 24% | 17% | 31% | 27% | 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 13% | 15% | 46% | 1% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 34% | 14% | 13% | 29% | 11% | 258 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 17% | 14% | 54% | 12% | 3% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 11% | 16% | 59% | 13% | 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 11% | 13% | 61% | 14% | 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 7% | 12% | 63% | 16% | 2% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 9% | 12% | 56% | 14% | 10% | 258 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 25% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 23% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 23% | 76% | 1% | < 1% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 22% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 16% | 74% | 5% | 5% | 258 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say the holy scripture is…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 16% | 23% | 2% | 51% | 8% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 10% | 26% | 1% | 56% | 7% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 12% | 25% | 2% | 54% | 7% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 10% | 17% | 1% | 65% | 7% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 11% | 12% | 2% | 54% | 21% | 258 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …in heaven
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 62% | 30% | 8% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 59% | 33% | 8% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 62% | 30% | 8% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 47% | 45% | 9% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 47% | 35% | 18% | 258 |
Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …in hell
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 43% | 48% | 9% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 44% | 48% | 8% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 45% | 47% | 9% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 35% | 56% | 8% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 36% | 48% | 16% | 258 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who identify as…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 30% | 19% | 51% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 32% | 16% | 52% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 33% | 16% | 51% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 32% | 21% | 47% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 24% | 31% | 44% | 258 |
Political ideology among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 26% | 36% | 32% | 6% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 24% | 38% | 33% | 5% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 25% | 40% | 31% | 5% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 24% | 35% | 32% | 9% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 26% | 24% | 23% | 27% | 258 |
Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who would rather have…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 47% | 45% | 4% | 4% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 51% | 44% | 3% | 3% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 50% | 44% | 3% | 3% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 51% | 42% | 3% | 4% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 48% | 34% | 6% | 12% | 258 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say government aid to the poor…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 40% | 54% | 4% | 2% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 42% | 53% | 3% | 2% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 43% | 52% | 3% | 2% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 43% | 52% | 3% | 2% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 43% | 45% | 8% | 4% | 258 |
Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say abortion should be…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 67% | 28% | 4% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 71% | 26% | 3% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 71% | 26% | 3% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 71% | 26% | 4% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 61% | 26% | 13% | 258 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say homosexuality…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 79% | 15% | 3% | 3% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 83% | 13% | 3% | 2% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 80% | 15% | 2% | 3% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 76% | 18% | 3% | 3% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 68% | 14% | 8% | 10% | 258 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …same-sex marriage
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 71% | 22% | 7% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 75% | 19% | 6% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 71% | 22% | 7% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 70% | 23% | 7% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 60% | 20% | 21% | 258 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 32% | 63% | 2% | 3% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 29% | 67% | 2% | 2% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 32% | 64% | 2% | 2% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 35% | 61% | 2% | 3% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 30% | 54% | 5% | 11% | 258 |
Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who say humans…
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 45% | 25% | 5% | 22% | 3% | 6,604 |
Once or twice a month | 54% | 22% | 4% | 18% | 2% | 2,791 |
Several times a year | 52% | 24% | 4% | 17% | 3% | 2,099 |
Seldom/never | 59% | 16% | 4% | 17% | 4% | 4,333 |
Don't know | 45% | 14% | 12% | 19% | 11% | 258 |