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 | 12% | 22% | 1% | 57% | 7% | 3,881 |
2007 | 14% | 22% | 1% | 51% | 11% | 3,367 |
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 philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 21% | 32% | 1% | 38% | 8% | 738 |
Evangelical Protestant | 27% | 45% | 2% | 18% | 8% | 408 |
Historically Black Protestant | 47% | 34% | < 1% | 13% | 5% | 111 |
Jewish | 8% | 12% | 1% | 73% | 5% | 144 |
Mainline Protestant | 10% | 31% | 1% | 49% | 9% | 647 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 4% | 7% | < 1% | 83% | 6% | 1,396 |
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 philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 23% | 33% | 28% | 15% | 365 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 32% | 19% | 12% | 817 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 33% | 22% | 11% | 2,332 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 42% | 19% | 10% | 272 |
Generational cohort among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 16% | 13% | 28% | 32% | 10% | 2% | 365 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 19% | 25% | 22% | 9% | < 1% | 817 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 19% | 26% | 25% | 7% | 1% | 2,332 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 20% | 32% | 22% | 6% | < 1% | 272 |
Gender composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 48% | 52% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 52% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 43% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 38% | 282 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 21% | 2% | 28% | 3% | 368 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 10% | 5% | 16% | 5% | 821 |
Not the word of God | 73% | 4% | 7% | 13% | 3% | 2,332 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 10% | 7% | 14% | 6% | 276 |
Immigrant status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 24% | 11% | 66% | 359 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 17% | 12% | 71% | 824 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 15% | 72% | 2,344 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 13% | 71% | 275 |
Income distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 59% | 17% | 13% | 11% | 319 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 17% | 28% | 24% | 747 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 19% | 29% | 28% | 2,167 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 18% | 29% | 18% | 222 |
Educational distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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% | 24% | 10% | 5% | 370 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 34% | 19% | 14% | 825 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 31% | 26% | 21% | 2,354 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 41% | 22% | 13% | 280 |
Marital status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 36% | 8% | 18% | 9% | 30% | 371 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 6% | 12% | 3% | 35% | 823 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 11% | 12% | 3% | 34% | 2,357 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 12% | 10% | 4% | 36% | 279 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 70% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 70% | 826 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 78% | 2,358 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 75% | 279 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 80% | 15% | 3% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 66% | 30% | 4% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 27% | 15% | 1% | 29% | 5% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 24% | 9% | 2% | 4% | 12% | 282 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 73% | 19% | 4% | 4% | < 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 37% | 8% | 4% | 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 30% | 26% | 30% | 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 44% | 16% | 6% | 2% | 282 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 42% | 37% | 20% | 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 47% | 20% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 34% | 58% | < 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 50% | 34% | 2% | 282 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 67% | 21% | 4% | 7% | < 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 26% | 9% | 11% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 15% | 8% | 55% | < 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 24% | 11% | 23% | 4% | 282 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 34% | 13% | 11% | 40% | 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 18% | 14% | 15% | 53% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 4% | 5% | 87% | < 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 11% | 8% | 71% | 2% | 282 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 49% | 7% | 2% | 40% | 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 9% | 5% | 41% | 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 35% | 13% | 6% | 45% | < 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 17% | 5% | 34% | 2% | 282 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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% | 12% | 7% | 14% | 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 22% | 10% | 11% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 20% | 12% | 23% | 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 15% | 9% | 18% | 3% | 282 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 46% | 13% | 10% | 28% | 2% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 16% | 13% | 17% | 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 17% | 12% | 12% | < 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 15% | 13% | 12% | 1% | 282 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 28% | 70% | 1% | 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 68% | 1% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 66% | 6% | 2% | 282 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 48% | 15% | 8% | 28% | 1% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 17% | 11% | 40% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 8% | 10% | 74% | < 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 15% | 12% | 51% | 2% | 282 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 90% | 5% | 6% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 87% | 8% | 5% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 58% | 10% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 19% | 24% | 282 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 76% | 17% | 7% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 31% | 6% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 74% | 7% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 38% | 25% | 282 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 31% | 22% | 48% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 13% | 43% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 15% | 65% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 30% | 46% | 282 |
Political ideology among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 29% | 25% | 5% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 42% | 26% | 4% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 12% | 36% | 49% | 3% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 39% | 34% | 6% | 282 |
Views about size of government among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 36% | 60% | 1% | 3% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 41% | 2% | 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 50% | 3% | 3% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 32% | 10% | 6% | 282 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 44% | 50% | 4% | 2% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 54% | 4% | < 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 70% | 3% | 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 51% | 10% | 3% | 282 |
Views about abortion among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 42% | 53% | 5% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 41% | 2% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 82% | 16% | 2% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 29% | 9% | 282 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 53% | 41% | 3% | 3% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 76% | 17% | 5% | 2% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 92% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 78% | 12% | 7% | 3% | 282 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 50% | 6% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 25% | 6% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 89% | 8% | 3% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 72% | 16% | 11% | 282 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 43% | 53% | 2% | 3% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 67% | 1% | 1% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 77% | 2% | 2% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 65% | 7% | 5% | 282 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong 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 | 22% | 27% | 3% | 43% | 6% | 373 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 44% | 4% | 23% | 2% | 827 |
Not the word of God | 72% | 15% | 4% | 7% | 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 28% | 16% | 14% | 7% | 282 |