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 | 18% | 24% | 1% | 49% | 7% | 19,212 |
2007 | 20% | 27% | 2% | 41% | 10% | 18,565 |
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 legal in all or most cases by religious group
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 4% | 10% | 1% | 75% | 11% | 228 |
Catholic | 18% | 33% | 2% | 40% | 8% | 3,463 |
Evangelical Protestant | 39% | 37% | 3% | 15% | 6% | 2,735 |
Hindu | 5% | 17% | < 1% | 68% | 9% | 143 |
Historically Black Protestant | 51% | 30% | 2% | 12% | 6% | 1,010 |
Jewish | 7% | 21% | 1% | 63% | 8% | 734 |
Mainline Protestant | 16% | 34% | 2% | 38% | 10% | 3,816 |
Mormon | 32% | 47% | 2% | 15% | 3% | 171 |
Muslim | 38% | 34% | 8% | 14% | 5% | 131 |
Orthodox Christian | 24% | 27% | 1% | 36% | 11% | 102 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 5% | 8% | < 1% | 81% | 6% | 5,823 |
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 legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 14% | 35% | 32% | 19% | 2,881 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 33% | 27% | 17% | 4,572 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 28% | 34% | 29% | 259 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 35% | 23% | 13% | 9,702 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 34% | 28% | 21% | 1,444 |
Generational cohort among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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% | 11% | 29% | 37% | 13% | 2% | 2,881 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 15% | 13% | 28% | 32% | 11% | 1% | 4,572 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 4% | 8% | 25% | 41% | 20% | 2% | 259 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 18% | 28% | 28% | 8% | 1% | 9,702 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 14% | 28% | 34% | 13% | 2% | 1,444 |
Gender composition among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 58% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 59% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 63% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 55% | 45% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 54% | 1,510 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 50% | 27% | 2% | 17% | 4% | 2,912 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 68% | 13% | 3% | 12% | 4% | 4,622 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 62% | 13% | 3% | 16% | 7% | 270 |
Not the word of God | 75% | 5% | 6% | 11% | 4% | 9,708 |
Other/don't know | 68% | 11% | 5% | 11% | 5% | 1,476 |
Immigrant status among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 17% | 9% | 74% | 2,884 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 11% | 12% | 78% | 4,607 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 20% | 6% | 74% | 271 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 13% | 74% | 9,752 |
Other/don't know | 13% | 11% | 77% | 1,476 |
Income distribution among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 48% | 23% | 20% | 10% | 2,549 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 21% | 29% | 21% | 4,127 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 18% | 22% | 16% | 218 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 18% | 30% | 27% | 8,956 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 21% | 25% | 20% | 1,234 |
Educational distribution among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 56% | 31% | 9% | 4% | 2,923 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 34% | 18% | 12% | 4,637 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 28% | 13% | 7% | 272 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 32% | 24% | 18% | 9,797 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 35% | 18% | 14% | 1,493 |
Marital status among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 44% | 7% | 18% | 9% | 22% | 2,930 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 7% | 14% | 6% | 26% | 4,638 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 5% | 16% | 15% | 17% | 273 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 11% | 11% | 3% | 30% | 9,806 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 9% | 14% | 8% | 23% | 1,489 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 70% | 2,926 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 71% | 4,639 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 23% | 77% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 75% | 9,817 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 73% | 1,498 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 85% | 12% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 24% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 85% | 12% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 28% | 13% | < 1% | 29% | 5% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 25% | 7% | 2% | 5% | 6% | 1,510 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 77% | 18% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 39% | 7% | 2% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 73% | 22% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 29% | 25% | 31% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 36% | 15% | 9% | 2% | 1,510 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 48% | 35% | 16% | 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 47% | 22% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 36% | 20% | 1% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 32% | 60% | < 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 43% | 37% | 2% | 1,510 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 75% | 14% | 4% | 6% | 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 24% | 7% | 11% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 12% | 2% | 6% | 2% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 14% | 8% | 57% | < 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 18% | 8% | 24% | 3% | 1,510 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 37% | 13% | 11% | 38% | 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 11% | 12% | 61% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 10% | 13% | 51% | 2% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 3% | 4% | 88% | < 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 8% | 8% | 72% | 2% | 1,510 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 49% | 8% | 3% | 38% | 2% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 10% | 5% | 50% | 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 5% | 4% | 36% | 3% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 11% | 6% | 54% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 9% | 4% | 47% | 2% | 1,510 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 70% | 13% | 7% | 9% | 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 19% | 12% | 14% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 69% | 12% | 7% | 8% | 3% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 41% | 17% | 12% | 28% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 15% | 11% | 19% | 4% | 1,510 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 42% | 15% | 11% | 30% | 2% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 17% | 15% | 28% | 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 10% | 13% | 31% | 6% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 48% | 17% | 14% | 20% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 15% | 14% | 24% | 2% | 1,510 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 45% | 6% | 41% | 7% | 2% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 10% | 54% | 7% | 2% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 4% | 45% | 5% | 10% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 19% | 58% | 17% | 2% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 12% | 58% | 9% | 6% | 1,510 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 35% | 63% | 1% | 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 71% | 1% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 63% | 4% | 3% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 80% | 1% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 71% | 3% | 1% | 1,510 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 52% | 13% | 8% | 26% | 1% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 15% | 12% | 46% | < 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 14% | 11% | 27% | 2% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 6% | 8% | 80% | < 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 11% | 10% | 55% | 3% | 1,510 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 94% | 4% | 3% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 89% | 7% | 4% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 85% | 8% | 8% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 37% | 54% | 9% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 19% | 20% | 1,510 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 80% | 14% | 6% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 27% | 6% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 16% | 13% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 70% | 7% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 38% | 20% | 1,510 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 31% | 18% | 52% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 14% | 51% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 26% | 30% | 44% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 15% | 63% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 26% | 49% | 1,510 |
Political ideology among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 33% | 20% | 7% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 45% | 24% | 4% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 30% | 22% | 12% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 37% | 44% | 4% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 41% | 27% | 11% | 1,510 |
Views about size of government among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 38% | 57% | 2% | 2% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 44% | 2% | 3% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 42% | 6% | 10% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 46% | 3% | 3% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 37% | 9% | 10% | 1,510 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 41% | 54% | 3% | 2% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 53% | 3% | 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 47% | 9% | 4% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 64% | 3% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 52% | 8% | 4% | 1,510 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 54% | 39% | 4% | 3% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 78% | 17% | 3% | 2% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 30% | 10% | 7% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 91% | 7% | 2% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 77% | 13% | 5% | 5% | 1,510 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 42% | 50% | 8% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 25% | 6% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 38% | 15% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 87% | 10% | 4% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 71% | 18% | 11% | 1,510 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 41% | 54% | 2% | 3% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 65% | 2% | 1% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 54% | 4% | 9% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 75% | 2% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 59% | 5% | 5% | 1,510 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say abortion should be legal 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 | 16% | 29% | 2% | 49% | 4% | 2,938 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 41% | 3% | 28% | 2% | 4,651 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 15% | 27% | 9% | 36% | 14% | 274 |
Not the word of God | 70% | 15% | 4% | 9% | 1% | 9,839 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 25% | 13% | 19% | 7% | 1,510 |