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 year | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 13% | 16% | 1% | 63% | 8% | 10,485 |
2007 | 16% | 17% | 2% | 54% | 11% | 8,946 |
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 tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | < 1% | 6% | < 1% | 86% | 8% | 107 |
Catholic | 19% | 25% | 2% | 46% | 8% | 1,326 |
Evangelical Protestant | 37% | 35% | 3% | 20% | 5% | 995 |
Historically Black Protestant | 44% | 21% | 2% | 25% | 8% | 181 |
Jewish | 9% | 14% | < 1% | 70% | 7% | 270 |
Mainline Protestant | 15% | 28% | 2% | 45% | 10% | 1,340 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 6% | 8% | 1% | 79% | 7% | 5,580 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Demographic✭Information
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 scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 14% | 35% | 31% | 19% | 1,091 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 34% | 27% | 17% | 1,547 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 8% | 26% | 38% | 28% | 134 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 36% | 21% | 13% | 6,759 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 34% | 27% | 19% | 791 |
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 scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 7% | 13% | 29% | 35% | 13% | 3% | 1,091 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 13% | 15% | 29% | 32% | 10% | 1% | 1,547 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 4% | 6% | 24% | 42% | 21% | 3% | 134 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 20% | 28% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 6,759 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 18% | 26% | 33% | 11% | 2% | 791 |
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 scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 50% | 50% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 52% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 58% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 58% | 42% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 46% | 827 |
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 scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 58% | 15% | 2% | 21% | 4% | 1,096 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 74% | 7% | 2% | 13% | 5% | 1,555 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 62% | 6% | 5% | 23% | 4% | 134 |
Not the word of God | 76% | 5% | 5% | 10% | 4% | 6,753 |
Other/don't know | 72% | 6% | 3% | 14% | 6% | 797 |
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 scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 18% | 7% | 74% | 1,078 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 10% | 10% | 80% | 1,546 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 2% | 70% | 135 |
Not the word of God | 11% | 13% | 76% | 6,781 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 9% | 80% | 804 |
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 scripture | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 57% | 23% | 14% | 6% | 942 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 20% | 24% | 14% | 1,370 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 23% | 13% | 11% | 102 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 20% | 29% | 24% | 6,198 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 19% | 22% | 15% | 659 |
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 scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 70% | 24% | 4% | 2% | 1,096 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 33% | 12% | 6% | 1,565 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 30% | 5% | 6% | 135 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 33% | 21% | 14% | 6,819 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 35% | 15% | 7% | 816 |
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 scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 34% | 8% | 21% | 12% | 25% | 1,097 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 9% | 15% | 6% | 26% | 1,565 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 7% | 18% | 15% | 17% | 134 |
Not the word of God | 41% | 12% | 12% | 4% | 32% | 6,820 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 11% | 17% | 7% | 24% | 818 |
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 scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 24% | 76% | 1,106 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 74% | 1,567 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 23% | 77% | 135 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 76% | 6,829 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 74% | 823 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
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 scripture | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 77% | 17% | 4% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 29% | 4% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 72% | 20% | 1% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 24% | 13% | < 1% | 37% | 6% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 25% | 8% | 3% | 11% | 10% | 827 |
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 scripture | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 58% | 29% | 8% | 5% | 1% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 42% | 16% | 6% | 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 38% | 7% | 4% | 3% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 20% | 27% | 45% | 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 32% | 23% | 18% | 3% | 827 |
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 scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 57% | 17% | 5% | 20% | 1% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 21% | 9% | 26% | < 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 65% | 14% | 4% | 15% | 2% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 10% | 6% | 69% | < 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 15% | 9% | 39% | 3% | 827 |
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 scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 12% | 5% | 4% | 78% | 1% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 5% | 3% | 3% | 89% | < 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 12% | < 1% | 2% | 86% | < 1% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 1% | 1% | 1% | 97% | < 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 3% | 2% | 2% | 91% | 2% | 827 |
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 scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 39% | 5% | 3% | 51% | 2% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 6% | 3% | 64% | 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 9% | 4% | 47% | 4% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 9% | 5% | 60% | 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 7% | 4% | 54% | 2% | 827 |
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 scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 13% | 8% | 22% | 1% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 17% | 14% | 25% | 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 11% | 12% | 15% | 5% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 37% | 15% | 11% | 35% | 2% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 12% | 10% | 31% | 4% | 827 |
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 scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 38% | 12% | 12% | 36% | 2% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 15% | 13% | 33% | 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 10% | 11% | 35% | 11% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 16% | 14% | 22% | < 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 12% | 12% | 28% | 3% | 827 |
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 scripture | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 36% | 7% | 47% | 8% | 2% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 10% | 61% | 8% | 2% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 8% | 46% | 4% | 11% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 3% | 19% | 59% | 18% | 2% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 12% | 64% | 9% | 7% | 827 |
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 scripture | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 32% | 64% | 1% | 3% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 69% | 1% | < 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 54% | 6% | 7% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 71% | 4% | 3% | 827 |
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 scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 28% | 9% | 8% | 54% | 1% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 15% | 9% | 8% | 67% | < 1% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 12% | 10% | 46% | 3% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 4% | 5% | 88% | < 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 10% | 5% | 7% | 77% | 2% | 827 |
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 scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 84% | 9% | 7% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 75% | 9% | 16% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 62% | 9% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 24% | 25% | 827 |
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 scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 74% | 19% | 8% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 26% | 7% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 67% | 15% | 18% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 73% | 7% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 38% | 23% | 827 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
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 scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 35% | 23% | 42% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 21% | 39% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 36% | 27% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 19% | 58% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 34% | 38% | 827 |
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 scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 25% | 22% | 11% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 40% | 21% | 7% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 30% | 16% | 18% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 34% | 44% | 6% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 33% | 23% | 17% | 827 |
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 scripture | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 40% | 53% | 2% | 5% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 40% | 1% | 4% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 36% | 7% | 15% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 50% | 43% | 3% | 4% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 29% | 9% | 13% | 827 |
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 scripture | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 48% | 3% | 2% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 48% | 3% | 2% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 37% | 9% | 5% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 35% | 60% | 4% | 1% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 44% | 12% | 7% | 827 |
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 scripture | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 53% | 6% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 39% | 3% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 49% | 14% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 82% | 15% | 3% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 21% | 16% | 827 |
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 scripture | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 47% | 43% | 4% | 5% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 23% | 4% | 4% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 36% | 10% | 16% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 88% | 8% | 2% | 2% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 71% | 15% | 7% | 6% | 827 |
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 scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 37% | 54% | 9% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 61% | 30% | 9% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 29% | 49% | 21% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 84% | 11% | 4% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 65% | 20% | 16% | 827 |
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 scripture | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 46% | 3% | 5% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 55% | 1% | 2% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 34% | 7% | 19% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 52% | 5% | 8% | 827 |
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 scripture | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 18% | 25% | 3% | 48% | 7% | 1,107 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 35% | 4% | 30% | 3% | 1,571 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 18% | 7% | 35% | 25% | 136 |
Not the word of God | 73% | 12% | 4% | 9% | 2% | 6,844 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 21% | 13% | 15% | 14% | 827 |