Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 34% | 28% | 3% | 29% | 7% | 8,007 |
2007 | 36% | 27% | 3% | 25% | 9% | 9,755 |
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 seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by religious group
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 25% | 37% | 3% | 27% | 8% | 1,860 |
Evangelical Protestant | 60% | 26% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 1,934 |
Historically Black Protestant | 60% | 25% | 1% | 8% | 6% | 548 |
Jewish | 17% | 21% | 2% | 51% | 8% | 187 |
Mainline Protestant | 29% | 36% | 4% | 23% | 9% | 1,377 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 13% | 17% | 1% | 61% | 8% | 1,694 |
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 seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 14% | 35% | 29% | 22% | 2,470 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 38% | 24% | 18% | 2,255 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 11% | 36% | 26% | 27% | 224 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 36% | 23% | 17% | 2,313 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 36% | 24% | 23% | 553 |
Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 11% | 30% | 34% | 15% | 2% | 2,470 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 12% | 14% | 31% | 29% | 12% | 1% | 2,255 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 6% | 9% | 33% | 31% | 19% | 2% | 224 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 16% | 30% | 28% | 11% | 1% | 2,313 |
Other/don't know | 7% | 18% | 28% | 29% | 15% | 3% | 553 |
Gender composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 58% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 54% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 62% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 56% | 44% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 53% | 582 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 61% | 21% | 2% | 13% | 3% | 2,497 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 12% | 3% | 12% | 3% | 2,282 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 71% | 6% | 1% | 15% | 7% | 230 |
Not the word of God | 71% | 7% | 7% | 13% | 3% | 2,325 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 13% | 5% | 13% | 6% | 558 |
Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 11% | 7% | 82% | 2,490 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 10% | 11% | 79% | 2,260 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 15% | 7% | 78% | 229 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 13% | 72% | 2,331 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 10% | 76% | 564 |
Income distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 46% | 23% | 22% | 10% | 2,118 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 21% | 29% | 19% | 1,994 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 21% | 33% | 12% | 176 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 20% | 27% | 21% | 2,062 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 23% | 24% | 13% | 456 |
Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 60% | 28% | 9% | 3% | 2,512 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 30% | 15% | 8% | 2,285 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 37% | 12% | 3% | 232 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 29% | 17% | 11% | 2,349 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 33% | 14% | 7% | 574 |
Marital status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 51% | 5% | 15% | 9% | 20% | 2,519 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 6% | 12% | 7% | 23% | 2,291 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 56% | 2% | 13% | 15% | 14% | 232 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 9% | 12% | 5% | 27% | 2,359 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 5% | 13% | 12% | 24% | 570 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 70% | 2,523 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 67% | 2,287 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 70% | 232 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 74% | 2,352 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 69% | 579 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 89% | 8% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 73% | 22% | 3% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 11% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 29% | 12% | < 1% | 27% | 4% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 56% | 23% | 6% | 3% | 7% | 5% | 582 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 79% | 16% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 38% | 8% | 3% | < 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 76% | 21% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 30% | 24% | 31% | 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 34% | 13% | 10% | 1% | 582 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who attend religious services…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 30% | 17% | 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 44% | 24% | < 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 31% | 22% | 2% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 30% | 62% | < 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 41% | 38% | 2% | 582 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 73% | 15% | 4% | 8% | 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 23% | 8% | 15% | < 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 17% | 3% | 6% | 4% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 13% | 8% | 60% | < 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 18% | 7% | 29% | 3% | 582 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 36% | 12% | 10% | 42% | 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 17% | 9% | 9% | 66% | < 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 7% | 9% | 55% | 1% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 2% | 4% | 90% | < 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 4% | 5% | 80% | 2% | 582 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 38% | 6% | 3% | 51% | 2% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 6% | 4% | 64% | 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 6% | 3% | 50% | 4% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 5% | 3% | 75% | 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 5% | 3% | 67% | 2% | 582 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 65% | 11% | 7% | 16% | 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 16% | 13% | 25% | 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 63% | 11% | 9% | 13% | 3% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 11% | 10% | 51% | 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 12% | 9% | 34% | 4% | 582 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 54% | 4% | 35% | 5% | 2% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 6% | 54% | 6% | 2% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 4% | 43% | 1% | 9% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 11% | 68% | 14% | 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 6% | 63% | 8% | 6% | 582 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 40% | 58% | 1% | 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 67% | 1% | < 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 61% | 2% | 3% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 67% | 2% | 2% | 582 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 52% | 12% | 7% | 29% | 1% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 11% | 10% | 55% | < 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 11% | 9% | 35% | 2% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 4% | 5% | 85% | < 1% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 8% | 6% | 65% | 2% | 582 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 93% | 4% | 3% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 89% | 7% | 4% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 84% | 7% | 8% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 44% | 8% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 67% | 16% | 17% | 582 |
Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 83% | 11% | 5% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 24% | 6% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 71% | 13% | 16% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 59% | 7% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 35% | 19% | 582 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 18% | 40% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 17% | 40% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 34% | 24% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 21% | 48% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 31% | 40% | 582 |
Political ideology among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 48% | 27% | 16% | 8% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 36% | 18% | 6% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 25% | 14% | 19% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 37% | 31% | 8% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 32% | 15% | 18% | 582 |
Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 48% | 46% | 2% | 3% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 40% | 2% | 2% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 31% | 8% | 14% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 43% | 3% | 4% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 36% | 7% | 9% | 582 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 50% | 44% | 4% | 2% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 45% | 3% | 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 34% | 6% | 8% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 48% | 4% | 2% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 42% | 9% | 5% | 582 |
Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 35% | 60% | 5% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 43% | 3% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 35% | 51% | 14% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 74% | 23% | 3% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 33% | 13% | 582 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 39% | 53% | 4% | 5% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 29% | 4% | 3% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 39% | 11% | 7% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 82% | 13% | 3% | 2% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 21% | 9% | 9% | 582 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 26% | 64% | 9% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 39% | 8% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 29% | 54% | 17% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 74% | 19% | 7% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 31% | 18% | 582 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 48% | 46% | 3% | 4% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 54% | 2% | 1% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 38% | 5% | 11% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 60% | 2% | 2% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 52% | 6% | 9% | 582 |
Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe 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 | 13% | 22% | 3% | 57% | 6% | 2,530 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 23% | 32% | 3% | 39% | 3% | 2,298 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 17% | 19% | 5% | 44% | 15% | 234 |
Not the word of God | 61% | 16% | 3% | 18% | 2% | 2,363 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 25% | 9% | 24% | 13% | 582 |