Interpreting scripture among adults who attend services monthly or yearly

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say the holy scripture is…

Survey yearWord 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
201425%32%2%33%8%11,214
200725%32%3%30%11%11,431
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: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God

Interpreting scripture among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by religious group

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say the holy scripture is…

Religious traditionWord 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
Buddhist3%12%1%67%18%105
Catholic21%36%2%33%8%2,747
Evangelical Protestant40%37%3%13%7%2,367
Hindu12%16%< 1%60%13%111
Historically Black Protestant47%31%2%13%8%652
Jewish6%24%1%60%8%428
Mainline Protestant19%38%2%31%10%2,517
Orthodox Christian18%33%4%36%9%102
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")15%18%1%58%8%1,668
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: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are ages…

Interpreting scripture18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally17%36%31%15%2,412
Word of God; not everything taken literally27%36%25%13%3,468
Word of God; other/don't know16%33%31%20%232
Not the word of God30%35%24%11%3,954
Other/don't know21%36%27%16%941
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Interpreting scriptureYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally11%13%30%36%10%1%2,412
Word of God; not everything taken literally18%15%29%29%8%1%3,468
Word of God; other/don't know12%7%30%37%14%< 1%232
Not the word of God19%19%27%28%6%1%3,954
Other/don't know12%16%31%31%9%1%941
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Interpreting scriptureMenWomenSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally45%55%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally46%54%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know43%57%243
Not the word of God54%46%4,020
Other/don't know50%50%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally53%21%2%20%4%2,418
Word of God; not everything taken literally69%11%4%13%3%3,502
Word of God; other/don't know65%13%2%15%5%237
Not the word of God68%7%7%15%4%3,966
Other/don't know62%12%8%13%5%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.

Immigrant status among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Interpreting scriptureImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally18%9%74%2,399
Word of God; not everything taken literally12%11%78%3,500
Word of God; other/don't know16%5%80%237
Not the word of God16%13%71%3,978
Other/don't know17%10%73%952
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who have a household income of…

Interpreting scriptureLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally51%22%18%10%2,131
Word of God; not everything taken literally29%21%29%22%3,176
Word of God; other/don't know39%20%23%18%193
Not the word of God24%18%29%28%3,645
Other/don't know34%21%26%20%811
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.

Educational distribution among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who have completed…

Interpreting scriptureHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally61%28%8%3%2,436
Word of God; not everything taken literally39%36%16%9%3,521
Word of God; other/don't know47%36%12%5%238
Not the word of God26%32%24%18%4,004
Other/don't know33%40%15%12%966
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Interpreting scriptureMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally45%8%18%7%22%2,441
Word of God; not everything taken literally47%7%13%5%28%3,523
Word of God; other/don't know46%3%15%11%25%239
Not the word of God46%10%10%3%30%4,007
Other/don't know44%10%13%7%26%959
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Interpreting scriptureParentsNon-parentsSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally33%67%2,439
Word of God; not everything taken literally32%68%3,522
Word of God; other/don't know29%71%242
Not the word of God29%71%4,005
Other/don't know31%69%965
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say they…

Interpreting scriptureBelieve 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
Word of God; should be taken literally85%13%1%1%< 1%< 1%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally71%25%2%< 1%< 1%< 1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know85%12%< 1%< 1%1%1%243
Not the word of God35%34%13%1%13%4%4,020
Other/don't know61%27%5%2%2%3%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say religion is…

Interpreting scriptureVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally74%23%2%1%< 1%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally47%46%5%1%< 1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know77%20%2%1%1%243
Not the word of God20%47%24%8%< 1%4,020
Other/don't know43%43%10%2%1%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who pray…

Interpreting scriptureAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally70%19%6%5%1%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally54%27%10%9%< 1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know70%17%7%4%2%243
Not the word of God31%20%13%35%1%4,020
Other/don't know49%20%9%18%3%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who attend prayer group…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally15%19%19%46%1%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally7%12%15%66%< 1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know10%14%16%58%2%243
Not the word of God3%6%9%81%< 1%4,020
Other/don't know5%11%11%70%1%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who meditate…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally39%9%4%45%2%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally31%10%6%53%1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know42%4%4%46%4%243
Not the word of God31%12%7%50%1%4,020
Other/don't know34%12%6%46%2%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally64%16%10%9%1%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally51%22%14%12%1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know57%18%11%9%5%243
Not the word of God44%20%15%20%1%4,020
Other/don't know52%17%12%15%4%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally39%14%14%30%2%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally39%17%16%28%1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know37%14%16%29%5%243
Not the word of God47%18%15%19%1%4,020
Other/don't know42%16%15%24%2%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Interpreting scriptureReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally44%6%41%7%2%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally26%10%56%7%2%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know41%2%42%4%11%243
Not the word of God8%19%57%14%2%4,020
Other/don't know18%14%54%8%6%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say…

Interpreting scriptureThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally37%61%1%1%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally31%68%1%< 1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know32%59%4%4%243
Not the word of God21%77%1%1%4,020
Other/don't know26%69%3%2%972
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 reading scripture among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who read scripture…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally40%20%12%27%< 1%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally21%17%16%45%< 1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know40%13%14%32%1%243
Not the word of God9%9%13%68%< 1%4,020
Other/don't know18%17%12%50%2%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …in heaven

Interpreting scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally93%4%3%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally91%6%3%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know86%5%8%243
Not the word of God54%37%9%4,020
Other/don't know69%14%17%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …in hell

Interpreting scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally81%12%6%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally70%24%6%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know73%13%14%243
Not the word of God33%59%8%4,020
Other/don't know49%30%20%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally38%19%43%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally45%14%41%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know34%31%35%243
Not the word of God27%15%58%4,020
Other/don't know29%26%45%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Interpreting scriptureConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally45%30%18%7%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally37%40%19%4%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know43%27%16%14%243
Not the word of God19%41%35%4%4,020
Other/don't know26%41%23%11%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who would rather have…

Interpreting scriptureSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally42%53%2%3%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally57%40%2%2%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know48%39%6%7%243
Not the word of God49%45%3%3%4,020
Other/don't know45%39%8%8%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say government aid to the poor…

Interpreting scriptureDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally48%46%3%2%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally50%47%3%1%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know45%41%8%6%243
Not the word of God37%59%3%1%4,020
Other/don't know41%46%8%5%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say abortion should be…

Interpreting scriptureLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally40%55%5%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally57%40%3%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know38%47%15%243
Not the word of God77%21%2%4,020
Other/don't know59%32%9%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say homosexuality…

Interpreting scriptureShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally51%42%4%4%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally71%22%4%3%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know51%32%7%10%243
Not the word of God85%11%2%1%4,020
Other/don't know66%19%9%6%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …same-sex marriage

Interpreting scriptureStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally37%53%9%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally61%32%7%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know38%39%23%243
Not the word of God80%15%5%4,020
Other/don't know57%28%15%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say…

Interpreting scriptureStricter 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
Word of God; should be taken literally48%48%2%3%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally40%58%1%2%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know42%47%3%9%243
Not the word of God27%70%2%1%4,020
Other/don't know30%57%6%6%972
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 attend services monthly or yearly by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say humans…

Interpreting scriptureEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally16%27%3%50%5%2,447
Word of God; not everything taken literally25%40%3%30%2%3,532
Word of God; other/don't know14%26%7%35%18%243
Not the word of God59%22%4%13%2%4,020
Other/don't know30%28%13%22%7%972
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.