Interpreting scripture among adults who attend services seldom or never

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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
201413%16%1%63%8%10,485
200716%17%2%54%11%8,946
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 seldom or never by religious group

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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
Buddhist< 1%6%< 1%86%8%107
Catholic19%25%2%46%8%1,326
Evangelical Protestant37%35%3%20%5%995
Historically Black Protestant44%21%2%25%8%181
Jewish9%14%< 1%70%7%270
Mainline Protestant15%28%2%45%10%1,340
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")6%8%1%79%7%5,580
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are ages…

Interpreting scripture18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally14%35%31%19%1,091
Word of God; not everything taken literally22%34%27%17%1,547
Word of God; other/don't know8%26%38%28%134
Not the word of God30%36%21%13%6,759
Other/don't know20%34%27%19%791
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Interpreting scriptureYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally7%13%29%35%13%3%1,091
Word of God; not everything taken literally13%15%29%32%10%1%1,547
Word of God; other/don't know4%6%24%42%21%3%134
Not the word of God19%20%28%26%8%1%6,759
Other/don't know9%18%26%33%11%2%791
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Interpreting scriptureMenWomenSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally50%50%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally48%52%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know42%58%136
Not the word of God58%42%6,844
Other/don't know54%46%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally58%15%2%21%4%1,096
Word of God; not everything taken literally74%7%2%13%5%1,555
Word of God; other/don't know62%6%5%23%4%134
Not the word of God76%5%5%10%4%6,753
Other/don't know72%6%3%14%6%797
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Interpreting scriptureImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally18%7%74%1,078
Word of God; not everything taken literally10%10%80%1,546
Word of God; other/don't know28%2%70%135
Not the word of God11%13%76%6,781
Other/don't know11%9%80%804
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally57%23%14%6%942
Word of God; not everything taken literally42%20%24%14%1,370
Word of God; other/don't know53%23%13%11%102
Not the word of God28%20%29%24%6,198
Other/don't know43%19%22%15%659
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who have completed…

Interpreting scriptureHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally70%24%4%2%1,096
Word of God; not everything taken literally50%33%12%6%1,565
Word of God; other/don't know59%30%5%6%135
Not the word of God32%33%21%14%6,819
Other/don't know43%35%15%7%816
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Interpreting scriptureMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally34%8%21%12%25%1,097
Word of God; not everything taken literally43%9%15%6%26%1,565
Word of God; other/don't know44%7%18%15%17%134
Not the word of God41%12%12%4%32%6,820
Other/don't know40%11%17%7%24%818
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Interpreting scriptureParentsNon-parentsSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally24%76%1,106
Word of God; not everything taken literally26%74%1,567
Word of God; other/don't know23%77%135
Not the word of God24%76%6,829
Other/don't know26%74%823
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally77%17%4%1%1%< 1%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally64%29%4%< 1%2%< 1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know72%20%1%4%1%2%136
Not the word of God19%24%13%< 1%37%6%6,844
Other/don't know44%25%8%3%11%10%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say religion is…

Interpreting scriptureVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally58%29%8%5%1%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally35%42%16%6%1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know49%38%7%4%3%136
Not the word of God7%20%27%45%1%6,844
Other/don't know24%32%23%18%3%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who pray…

Interpreting scriptureAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally57%17%5%20%1%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally43%21%9%26%< 1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know65%14%4%15%2%136
Not the word of God15%10%6%69%< 1%6,844
Other/don't know33%15%9%39%3%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally12%5%4%78%1%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally5%3%3%89%< 1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know12%< 1%2%86%< 1%136
Not the word of God1%1%1%97%< 1%6,844
Other/don't know3%2%2%91%2%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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%5%3%51%2%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally26%6%3%64%1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know36%9%4%47%4%136
Not the word of God25%9%5%60%1%6,844
Other/don't know33%7%4%54%2%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally56%13%8%22%1%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally43%17%14%25%1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know57%11%12%15%5%136
Not the word of God37%15%11%35%2%6,844
Other/don't know43%12%10%31%4%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally38%12%12%36%2%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally39%15%13%33%1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know33%10%11%35%11%136
Not the word of God47%16%14%22%< 1%6,844
Other/don't know45%12%12%28%3%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally36%7%47%8%2%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally19%10%61%8%2%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know30%8%46%4%11%136
Not the word of God3%19%59%18%2%6,844
Other/don't know8%12%64%9%7%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally32%64%1%3%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally30%69%1%< 1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know33%54%6%7%136
Not the word of God19%79%1%1%6,844
Other/don't know23%71%4%3%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally28%9%8%54%1%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally15%9%8%67%< 1%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know30%12%10%46%3%136
Not the word of God4%4%5%88%< 1%6,844
Other/don't know10%5%7%77%2%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …in heaven

Interpreting scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally90%6%4%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally84%9%7%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know75%9%16%136
Not the word of God29%62%9%6,844
Other/don't know50%24%25%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …in hell

Interpreting scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally74%19%8%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally67%26%7%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know67%15%18%136
Not the word of God20%73%7%6,844
Other/don't know39%38%23%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally35%23%42%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally40%21%39%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know38%36%27%136
Not the word of God24%19%58%6,844
Other/don't know29%34%38%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Interpreting scriptureConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally42%25%22%11%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally31%40%21%7%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know36%30%16%18%136
Not the word of God16%34%44%6%6,844
Other/don't know27%33%23%17%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who would rather have…

Interpreting scriptureSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally40%53%2%5%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally55%40%1%4%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know42%36%7%15%136
Not the word of God50%43%3%4%6,844
Other/don't know50%29%9%13%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally46%48%3%2%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally48%48%3%2%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know49%37%9%5%136
Not the word of God35%60%4%1%6,844
Other/don't know37%44%12%7%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say abortion should be…

Interpreting scriptureLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally41%53%6%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally59%39%3%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know36%49%14%136
Not the word of God82%15%3%6,844
Other/don't know63%21%16%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say homosexuality…

Interpreting scriptureShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally47%43%4%5%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally69%23%4%4%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know38%36%10%16%136
Not the word of God88%8%2%2%6,844
Other/don't know71%15%7%6%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …same-sex marriage

Interpreting scriptureStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally37%54%9%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally61%30%9%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know29%49%21%136
Not the word of God84%11%4%6,844
Other/don't know65%20%16%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally45%46%3%5%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally42%55%1%2%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know40%34%7%19%136
Not the word of God25%71%2%2%6,844
Other/don't know34%52%5%8%827
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 seldom or never by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who attend services seldom or never 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 literally18%25%3%48%7%1,107
Word of God; not everything taken literally27%35%4%30%3%1,571
Word of God; other/don't know14%18%7%35%25%136
Not the word of God73%12%4%9%2%6,844
Other/don't know37%21%13%15%14%827
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.