Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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
201439%27%3%24%7%20,955
200742%27%4%19%8%19,253
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by religious group

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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
Buddhist8%11%1%68%12%166
Catholic30%37%3%22%8%4,173
Evangelical Protestant61%26%4%5%4%6,541
Historically Black Protestant63%22%3%6%6%1,423
Jehovah's Witness46%40%8%2%4%203
Jewish18%29%3%40%10%320
Mainline Protestant31%34%3%23%9%3,532
Mormon37%53%5%3%2%545
Muslim42%33%10%11%4%152
Orthodox Christian28%48%3%18%5%103
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")13%11%1%68%7%3,048
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are ages…

Interpreting scripture18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally14%32%31%23%7,481
Word of God; not everything taken literally22%33%26%19%5,812
Word of God; other/don't know11%29%30%30%696
Not the word of God27%36%25%13%5,090
Other/don't know17%32%29%22%1,411
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…

Interpreting scriptureYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally8%10%28%37%15%2%7,481
Word of God; not everything taken literally14%13%27%31%13%1%5,812
Word of God; other/don't know7%7%26%36%22%2%696
Not the word of God16%18%28%29%8%1%5,090
Other/don't know8%16%25%35%15%2%1,411
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…

Interpreting scriptureMenWomenSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally41%59%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally42%58%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know42%58%730
Not the word of God50%50%5,170
Other/don't know47%53%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally58%19%2%17%3%7,557
Word of God; not everything taken literally69%11%2%13%4%5,860
Word of God; other/don't know66%11%2%16%5%702
Not the word of God68%7%4%16%5%5,073
Other/don't know61%15%4%16%5%1,431
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.

Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…

Interpreting scriptureImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally17%7%76%7,550
Word of God; not everything taken literally13%10%78%5,871
Word of God; other/don't know18%8%75%716
Not the word of God15%13%72%5,119
Other/don't know15%8%76%1,443
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally45%22%23%11%6,502
Word of God; not everything taken literally29%21%29%20%5,181
Word of God; other/don't know35%19%30%16%556
Not the word of God27%19%28%26%4,669
Other/don't know38%20%24%18%1,168
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have completed…

Interpreting scriptureHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally53%31%11%6%7,602
Word of God; not everything taken literally34%35%20%12%5,902
Word of God; other/don't know41%34%15%9%720
Not the word of God29%33%22%16%5,144
Other/don't know35%34%18%13%1,459
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…

Interpreting scriptureMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally54%5%15%10%17%7,617
Word of God; not everything taken literally53%5%13%6%23%5,900
Word of God; other/don't know58%3%13%12%14%720
Not the word of God45%11%12%4%28%5,151
Other/don't know45%9%16%8%22%1,455
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…

Interpreting scriptureParentsNon-parentsSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally30%70%7,624
Word of God; not everything taken literally31%69%5,897
Word of God; other/don't know27%73%719
Not the word of God27%73%5,159
Other/don't know27%73%1,470
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally91%7%1%1%< 1%< 1%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally85%13%1%< 1%< 1%< 1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know90%7%< 1%2%< 1%1%730
Not the word of God39%28%9%1%19%4%5,170
Other/don't know73%18%2%2%2%3%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say religion is…

Interpreting scriptureVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally91%7%1%1%< 1%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally76%20%3%1%1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know85%11%1%1%1%730
Not the word of God26%31%18%24%1%5,170
Other/don't know62%25%7%5%2%1,481
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who attend religious services…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally67%23%9%< 1%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally53%34%13%< 1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know64%22%13%2%730
Not the word of God14%35%51%< 1%5,170
Other/don't know34%38%25%2%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who pray…

Interpreting scriptureAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally87%9%1%2%< 1%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally77%16%3%3%< 1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know87%8%< 1%3%2%730
Not the word of God39%16%6%39%1%5,170
Other/don't know67%14%5%11%3%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally54%13%8%24%1%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally33%13%12%42%< 1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know48%10%9%32%1%730
Not the word of God8%5%6%80%< 1%5,170
Other/don't know23%9%9%57%2%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally60%6%2%29%2%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally51%8%3%37%1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know59%5%2%29%5%730
Not the word of God46%11%4%37%1%5,170
Other/don't know53%9%3%32%2%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally53%14%8%23%2%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally53%17%10%19%1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know50%13%8%23%7%730
Not the word of God64%13%8%13%1%5,170
Other/don't know60%11%8%18%3%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally66%4%25%4%2%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally47%8%38%4%3%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know57%3%25%3%12%730
Not the word of God9%20%54%15%2%5,170
Other/don't know28%11%47%6%8%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally49%49%1%1%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally40%58%1%1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know48%43%6%3%730
Not the word of God21%77%1%1%5,170
Other/don't know30%64%4%2%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally72%10%5%13%1%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally51%13%10%26%1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know68%10%6%15%2%730
Not the word of God15%8%9%67%< 1%5,170
Other/don't know38%12%9%38%2%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in heaven

Interpreting scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally91%5%5%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally90%6%5%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know81%6%13%730
Not the word of God46%45%9%5,170
Other/don't know69%13%18%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in hell

Interpreting scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally83%11%6%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally72%21%7%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know70%14%16%730
Not the word of God28%64%8%5,170
Other/don't know49%32%19%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally46%18%36%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally47%15%38%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know44%27%29%730
Not the word of God23%19%58%5,170
Other/don't know29%28%43%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…

Interpreting scriptureConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally56%24%14%6%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally43%36%16%5%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know50%24%12%14%730
Not the word of God18%37%41%5%5,170
Other/don't know30%35%24%11%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who would rather have…

Interpreting scriptureSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally52%43%2%3%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally59%36%2%3%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know55%28%7%10%730
Not the word of God47%45%4%4%5,170
Other/don't know45%36%9%9%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally50%44%4%2%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally50%45%4%1%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know48%36%10%6%730
Not the word of God34%61%4%1%5,170
Other/don't know38%48%10%5%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say abortion should be…

Interpreting scriptureLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally29%67%4%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally44%53%3%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know28%59%13%730
Not the word of God77%20%3%5,170
Other/don't know52%35%13%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say homosexuality…

Interpreting scriptureShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally34%58%4%4%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally58%34%5%3%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know32%49%9%11%730
Not the word of God86%10%3%2%5,170
Other/don't know61%23%10%7%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …same-sex marriage

Interpreting scriptureStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally24%69%7%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally47%46%8%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know24%59%17%730
Not the word of God82%13%5%5,170
Other/don't know55%30%14%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally49%44%2%4%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally40%56%2%2%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know40%42%7%10%730
Not the word of God24%71%2%2%5,170
Other/don't know33%53%6%8%1,481
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 literally10%22%2%61%5%7,652
Word of God; not everything taken literally16%39%3%39%4%5,922
Word of God; other/don't know5%20%5%54%16%730
Not the word of God59%21%5%13%2%5,170
Other/don't know23%30%11%26%10%1,481
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.