Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never read scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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% | 22% | 1% | 56% | 8% | 16,085 |
2007 | 16% | 25% | 2% | 46% | 11% | 15,857 |
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 read scripture by religious group
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 2% | 4% | 1% | 83% | 11% | 147 |
Catholic | 17% | 34% | 2% | 38% | 8% | 3,807 |
Evangelical Protestant | 31% | 40% | 3% | 21% | 6% | 1,462 |
Hindu | 3% | 13% | < 1% | 70% | 13% | 120 |
Historically Black Protestant | 45% | 27% | 1% | 20% | 7% | 308 |
Jewish | 7% | 16% | 1% | 69% | 6% | 580 |
Mainline Protestant | 13% | 32% | 1% | 44% | 10% | 2,641 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 5% | 8% | < 1% | 79% | 7% | 6,116 |
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 read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 17% | 35% | 31% | 18% | 1,651 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 21% | 33% | 26% | 19% | 3,459 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 21% | 38% | 26% | 192 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 35% | 22% | 13% | 9,278 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 33% | 26% | 20% | 1,240 |
Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 10% | 13% | 28% | 35% | 11% | 2% | 1,651 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 15% | 13% | 27% | 32% | 12% | 1% | 3,459 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 7% | 9% | 19% | 44% | 19% | 2% | 192 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 19% | 27% | 27% | 8% | 1% | 9,278 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 16% | 26% | 32% | 12% | 2% | 1,240 |
Gender composition among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 50% | 50% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 49% | 51% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 59% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 43% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 47% | 1,291 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 57% | 15% | 3% | 22% | 3% | 1,663 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 76% | 6% | 3% | 12% | 3% | 3,491 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 5% | 2% | 23% | 4% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 75% | 4% | 6% | 11% | 4% | 9,287 |
Other/don't know | 70% | 6% | 6% | 13% | 5% | 1,249 |
Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 21% | 8% | 71% | 1,633 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 11% | 11% | 78% | 3,482 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 8% | 67% | 194 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 13% | 74% | 9,323 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 10% | 75% | 1,260 |
Income distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 52% | 22% | 17% | 10% | 1,395 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 20% | 29% | 21% | 3,068 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 17% | 19% | 14% | 152 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 19% | 30% | 27% | 8,492 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 21% | 24% | 20% | 1,020 |
Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 69% | 23% | 6% | 2% | 1,657 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 31% | 17% | 8% | 3,504 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 25% | 11% | 4% | 194 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 31% | 23% | 16% | 9,375 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 35% | 17% | 10% | 1,274 |
Marital status among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 8% | 16% | 8% | 26% | 1,667 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 8% | 11% | 6% | 24% | 3,511 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 3% | 13% | 15% | 15% | 196 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 11% | 11% | 3% | 31% | 9,373 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 10% | 12% | 7% | 26% | 1,276 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 70% | 1,670 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 72% | 3,506 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 75% | 196 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 75% | 9,380 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 72% | 1,283 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 76% | 19% | 3% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 31% | 4% | < 1% | 1% | 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 71% | 21% | < 1% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 28% | 14% | < 1% | 31% | 5% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 30% | 7% | 3% | 8% | 8% | 1,291 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 61% | 31% | 6% | 2% | < 1% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 48% | 11% | 3% | < 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 25% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 28% | 28% | 35% | 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 40% | 19% | 12% | 2% | 1,291 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 26% | 39% | 35% | < 1% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 48% | 33% | < 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 26% | 40% | 34% | < 1% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 29% | 66% | < 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 40% | 50% | 1% | 1,291 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 22% | 8% | 18% | 1% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 28% | 11% | 20% | < 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 13% | 8% | 17% | 2% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 13% | 8% | 62% | < 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 19% | 10% | 37% | 3% | 1,291 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 11% | 5% | 7% | 76% | < 1% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 5% | 4% | 6% | 84% | < 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 10% | 2% | 5% | 84% | < 1% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 2% | 2% | 2% | 94% | < 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 3% | 3% | 4% | 89% | 1% | 1,291 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 29% | 6% | 3% | 60% | 2% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 21% | 7% | 4% | 67% | 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 5% | 7% | 52% | 4% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 10% | 5% | 61% | 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 8% | 4% | 58% | 2% | 1,291 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 51% | 14% | 12% | 22% | 1% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 20% | 15% | 22% | 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 12% | 17% | 19% | 2% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 37% | 17% | 12% | 33% | 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 15% | 12% | 27% | 4% | 1,291 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 31% | 11% | 15% | 41% | 2% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 16% | 16% | 37% | 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 10% | 17% | 42% | 7% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 17% | 15% | 23% | 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 15% | 14% | 31% | 2% | 1,291 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 35% | 6% | 49% | 8% | 2% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 9% | 61% | 8% | 2% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 5% | 50% | 3% | 10% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 18% | 59% | 18% | 2% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 10% | 11% | 62% | 10% | 6% | 1,291 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 31% | 65% | 1% | 2% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 70% | 1% | < 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 59% | 4% | 7% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 72% | 3% | 3% | 1,291 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 88% | 8% | 4% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 6% | 14% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 55% | 9% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 56% | 21% | 23% | 1,291 |
Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 76% | 16% | 7% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 27% | 6% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 71% | 13% | 16% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 70% | 8% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 38% | 24% | 1,291 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 37% | 22% | 41% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 16% | 40% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 35% | 26% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 17% | 58% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 30% | 40% | 1,291 |
Political ideology among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 29% | 21% | 10% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 41% | 19% | 5% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 24% | 18% | 16% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 17% | 37% | 41% | 5% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 38% | 22% | 14% | 1,291 |
Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 38% | 57% | 2% | 3% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 37% | 2% | 3% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 39% | 5% | 12% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 49% | 45% | 3% | 3% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 33% | 8% | 11% | 1,291 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 49% | 46% | 3% | 2% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 43% | 3% | 2% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 36% | 4% | 9% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 59% | 3% | 1% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 44% | 10% | 7% | 1,291 |
Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 43% | 52% | 5% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 38% | 3% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 49% | 15% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 81% | 16% | 3% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 26% | 13% | 1,291 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 54% | 37% | 4% | 4% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 74% | 20% | 4% | 2% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 25% | 7% | 13% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 88% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 70% | 15% | 8% | 7% | 1,291 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 49% | 9% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 30% | 7% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 33% | 25% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 83% | 12% | 4% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 22% | 15% | 1,291 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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 | 47% | 47% | 2% | 5% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 57% | 2% | 1% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 45% | 3% | 14% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 54% | 5% | 8% | 1,291 |
Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never read scripture by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never read scripture 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% | 26% | 3% | 46% | 6% | 1,674 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 38% | 3% | 28% | 2% | 3,518 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 15% | 19% | 11% | 33% | 23% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 71% | 14% | 4% | 10% | 2% | 9,405 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 23% | 14% | 15% | 11% | 1,291 |