Interpreting scripture among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 46% | 31% | 4% | 15% | 5% | 14,313 |
2007 | 48% | 28% | 4% | 13% | 7% | 14,714 |
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 say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by religious group
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 34% | 41% | 3% | 16% | 6% | 3,387 |
Evangelical Protestant | 63% | 26% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 5,525 |
Historically Black Protestant | 69% | 18% | 3% | 6% | 5% | 774 |
Jehovah's Witness | 48% | 39% | 6% | 2% | 5% | 185 |
Mainline Protestant | 38% | 40% | 3% | 13% | 6% | 1,975 |
Mormon | 32% | 57% | 5% | 2% | 3% | 474 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 24% | 19% | 2% | 47% | 8% | 1,453 |
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 say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 16% | 33% | 29% | 22% | 6,295 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 34% | 23% | 17% | 4,527 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 17% | 29% | 29% | 25% | 543 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 34% | 20% | 12% | 1,926 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 34% | 26% | 20% | 737 |
Generational cohort among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 9% | 12% | 28% | 34% | 15% | 2% | 6,295 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 17% | 15% | 27% | 28% | 11% | 1% | 4,527 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 11% | 10% | 26% | 34% | 18% | 1% | 543 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 20% | 25% | 23% | 8% | 1% | 1,926 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 16% | 27% | 32% | 13% | 2% | 737 |
Gender composition among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 56% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 50% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 56% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 60% | 40% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 47% | 763 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 61% | 15% | 2% | 19% | 3% | 6,350 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 73% | 7% | 2% | 14% | 3% | 4,545 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 69% | 8% | 3% | 17% | 4% | 552 |
Not the word of God | 62% | 9% | 5% | 20% | 4% | 1,922 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 10% | 5% | 19% | 4% | 739 |
Immigrant status among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 18% | 7% | 76% | 6,330 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 13% | 9% | 78% | 4,554 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 18% | 8% | 74% | 550 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 11% | 70% | 1,929 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 7% | 73% | 749 |
Income distribution among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 45% | 22% | 23% | 11% | 5,467 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 20% | 30% | 19% | 4,055 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 21% | 31% | 15% | 433 |
Not the word of God | 38% | 21% | 23% | 18% | 1,735 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 18% | 24% | 16% | 605 |
Educational distribution among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 55% | 29% | 11% | 5% | 6,381 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 33% | 18% | 11% | 4,584 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 36% | 16% | 10% | 559 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 30% | 14% | 9% | 1,951 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 34% | 14% | 9% | 754 |
Marital status among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 55% | 4% | 14% | 9% | 18% | 6,403 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 5% | 11% | 6% | 25% | 4,592 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 3% | 10% | 8% | 18% | 557 |
Not the word of God | 41% | 11% | 11% | 5% | 32% | 1,946 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 8% | 13% | 8% | 22% | 751 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 32% | 68% | 6,410 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 66% | 4,580 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 68% | 557 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 68% | 1,947 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 69% | 758 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 90% | 8% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 81% | 16% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 87% | 8% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 31% | 10% | 1% | 15% | 3% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 68% | 22% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 763 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 89% | 9% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 23% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 87% | 10% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 34% | 19% | 19% | 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 29% | 6% | 4% | 1% | 763 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 66% | 23% | 10% | < 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 33% | 14% | < 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 61% | 23% | 14% | 2% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 37% | 47% | < 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 40% | 22% | 2% | 763 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 83% | 11% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 18% | 5% | 7% | < 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 83% | 10% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 19% | 9% | 38% | 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 16% | 6% | 14% | 3% | 763 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 51% | 14% | 8% | 27% | 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 13% | 11% | 44% | < 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 9% | 8% | 33% | 2% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 6% | 6% | 79% | < 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 9% | 9% | 57% | 2% | 763 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 54% | 6% | 3% | 34% | 3% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 7% | 4% | 46% | 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 5% | 3% | 35% | 5% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 9% | 4% | 54% | 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 9% | 5% | 41% | 4% | 763 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 78% | 10% | 5% | 6% | 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 65% | 17% | 8% | 9% | 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 75% | 9% | 8% | 4% | 4% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 17% | 11% | 27% | 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 13% | 8% | 15% | 4% | 763 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 48% | 14% | 10% | 25% | 2% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 18% | 13% | 22% | 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 14% | 11% | 23% | 7% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 14% | 13% | 26% | < 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 13% | 9% | 25% | 5% | 763 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 68% | 3% | 24% | 3% | 2% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 49% | 7% | 37% | 4% | 2% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 4% | 25% | 2% | 9% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 15% | 56% | 14% | 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 10% | 45% | 6% | 5% | 763 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 50% | 47% | 1% | 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 53% | 1% | 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 39% | 6% | 3% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 71% | 1% | 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 64% | 4% | 2% | 763 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 68% | 10% | 5% | 15% | 1% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 14% | 9% | 29% | 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 8% | 5% | 19% | 2% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 9% | 8% | 67% | < 1% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 13% | 8% | 42% | 3% | 763 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 90% | 5% | 5% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 5% | 14% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 33% | 9% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 71% | 10% | 19% | 763 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 84% | 10% | 6% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 75% | 19% | 6% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 74% | 12% | 14% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 49% | 9% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 56% | 24% | 19% | 763 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 18% | 30% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 16% | 26% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 27% | 20% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 24% | 36% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 28% | 34% | 763 |
Political ideology among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 59% | 21% | 12% | 7% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 32% | 11% | 5% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 24% | 7% | 15% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 36% | 24% | 7% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 30% | 17% | 12% | 763 |
Views about size of government among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 55% | 40% | 2% | 3% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 66% | 31% | 1% | 2% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 61% | 25% | 6% | 8% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 39% | 2% | 3% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 35% | 7% | 7% | 763 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 55% | 39% | 4% | 2% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 38% | 3% | 1% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 29% | 10% | 6% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 50% | 45% | 3% | 2% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 39% | 10% | 5% | 763 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 28% | 64% | 4% | 3% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 43% | 5% | 3% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 29% | 54% | 9% | 9% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 71% | 23% | 4% | 3% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 38% | 11% | 5% | 763 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 19% | 75% | 6% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 57% | 7% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 65% | 16% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 62% | 31% | 7% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 48% | 14% | 763 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 52% | 41% | 2% | 4% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 49% | 2% | 2% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 35% | 8% | 10% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 52% | 2% | 3% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 46% | 6% | 8% | 763 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases 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 | 10% | 19% | 2% | 64% | 5% | 6,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 15% | 35% | 2% | 43% | 4% | 4,603 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 7% | 18% | 4% | 56% | 16% | 564 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 25% | 5% | 22% | 3% | 1,957 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 28% | 11% | 30% | 12% | 763 |