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 | 15% | 26% | 1% | 50% | 7% | 18,708 |
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 strongly favor or favor gay marriage by religious group
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 3% | 9% | 1% | 75% | 11% | 231 |
Catholic | 19% | 35% | 2% | 36% | 7% | 4,011 |
Evangelical Protestant | 31% | 43% | 3% | 16% | 7% | 2,227 |
Hindu | 5% | 20% | < 1% | 68% | 7% | 126 |
Historically Black Protestant | 46% | 31% | 2% | 15% | 7% | 740 |
Jewish | 3% | 20% | 1% | 69% | 7% | 689 |
Mainline Protestant | 13% | 37% | 1% | 39% | 10% | 3,464 |
Mormon | 32% | 44% | 2% | 18% | 3% | 155 |
Muslim | 25% | 39% | 8% | 19% | 9% | 105 |
Orthodox Christian | 13% | 34% | 3% | 37% | 14% | 105 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 5% | 9% | < 1% | 80% | 6% | 5,996 |
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 strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 24% | 38% | 26% | 12% | 2,247 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 34% | 23% | 14% | 4,694 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 27% | 36% | 18% | 236 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 36% | 21% | 11% | 9,842 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 35% | 25% | 17% | 1,400 |
Generational cohort among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 15% | 16% | 30% | 30% | 7% | 1% | 2,247 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 15% | 27% | 28% | 9% | 1% | 4,694 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 11% | 10% | 25% | 39% | 15% | < 1% | 236 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 20% | 27% | 25% | 6% | 1% | 9,842 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 19% | 29% | 29% | 11% | 1% | 1,400 |
Gender composition among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 37% | 63% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 60% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 66% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 52% | 48% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 59% | 1,463 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 23% | 2% | 27% | 3% | 2,256 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 10% | 3% | 14% | 4% | 4,719 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 56% | 11% | 2% | 25% | 5% | 243 |
Not the word of God | 74% | 5% | 6% | 12% | 4% | 9,843 |
Other/don't know | 69% | 8% | 5% | 13% | 5% | 1,430 |
Immigrant status among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 23% | 10% | 67% | 2,228 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 11% | 12% | 77% | 4,707 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 27% | 7% | 66% | 246 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 13% | 74% | 9,883 |
Other/don't know | 13% | 11% | 77% | 1,432 |
Income distribution among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 54% | 21% | 17% | 8% | 1,977 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 21% | 28% | 20% | 4,239 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 23% | 23% | 13% | 200 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 19% | 29% | 27% | 9,070 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 19% | 26% | 19% | 1,195 |
Educational distribution among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 58% | 29% | 9% | 4% | 2,262 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 34% | 18% | 12% | 4,744 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 32% | 13% | 7% | 246 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 32% | 24% | 17% | 9,934 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 36% | 18% | 14% | 1,447 |
Marital status among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 38% | 10% | 17% | 6% | 28% | 2,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 7% | 12% | 5% | 31% | 4,741 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 9% | 16% | 9% | 23% | 246 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 11% | 10% | 3% | 32% | 9,937 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 10% | 13% | 6% | 26% | 1,445 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 34% | 66% | 2,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 70% | 4,742 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 72% | 247 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 74% | 9,945 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 71% | 1,454 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 82% | 15% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 71% | 25% | 3% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 11% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 28% | 13% | < 1% | 29% | 5% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 27% | 7% | 1% | 5% | 6% | 1,463 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 75% | 20% | 3% | 2% | < 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 39% | 7% | 2% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 77% | 19% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 29% | 25% | 31% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 34% | 15% | 8% | 2% | 1,463 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 43% | 38% | 18% | 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 47% | 21% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 39% | 18% | 1% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 32% | 60% | < 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 41% | 37% | 2% | 1,463 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 71% | 17% | 5% | 7% | < 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 24% | 7% | 12% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 76% | 10% | 4% | 7% | 3% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 14% | 8% | 56% | < 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 19% | 9% | 23% | 3% | 1,463 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 31% | 15% | 10% | 43% | 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 15% | 11% | 12% | 61% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 9% | 12% | 48% | 3% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 4% | 4% | 88% | < 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 7% | 8% | 73% | 2% | 1,463 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 45% | 8% | 3% | 42% | 2% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 9% | 5% | 53% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 4% | 2% | 42% | 2% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 11% | 6% | 54% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 10% | 5% | 45% | 2% | 1,463 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 68% | 14% | 8% | 10% | 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 20% | 12% | 13% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 65% | 13% | 10% | 7% | 5% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 17% | 12% | 27% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 16% | 11% | 16% | 4% | 1,463 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 44% | 15% | 12% | 27% | 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 18% | 15% | 26% | 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 12% | 14% | 28% | 5% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 49% | 17% | 14% | 19% | < 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 16% | 13% | 22% | 2% | 1,463 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 42% | 7% | 41% | 8% | 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 12% | 53% | 7% | 2% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 6% | 45% | 5% | 10% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 20% | 56% | 17% | 2% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 14% | 56% | 9% | 6% | 1,463 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 30% | 67% | 1% | 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 72% | 1% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 71% | 4% | 2% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 80% | 1% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 72% | 3% | 2% | 1,463 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 46% | 14% | 8% | 30% | 1% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 15% | 12% | 46% | < 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 15% | 6% | 34% | 3% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 6% | 8% | 79% | < 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 12% | 11% | 56% | 2% | 1,463 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 93% | 5% | 2% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 89% | 7% | 4% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 10% | 8% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 38% | 54% | 9% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 18% | 19% | 1,463 |
Belief in Hell among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 77% | 17% | 6% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 66% | 28% | 6% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 68% | 19% | 13% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 70% | 7% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 38% | 20% | 1,463 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 29% | 20% | 51% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 16% | 49% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 29% | 43% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 16% | 63% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 26% | 50% | 1,463 |
Political ideology among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 36% | 34% | 22% | 7% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 45% | 25% | 4% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 33% | 18% | 16% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 37% | 45% | 4% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 40% | 30% | 11% | 1,463 |
Views about size of government among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 32% | 64% | 1% | 2% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 46% | 2% | 2% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 49% | 6% | 10% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 48% | 3% | 3% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 41% | 9% | 9% | 1,463 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 39% | 57% | 3% | 2% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 55% | 3% | 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 35% | 51% | 8% | 5% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 65% | 3% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 54% | 9% | 5% | 1,463 |
Views about abortion among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 51% | 46% | 3% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 34% | 2% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 41% | 9% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 84% | 14% | 2% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 70% | 21% | 9% | 1,463 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 84% | 11% | 2% | 2% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 92% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 84% | 4% | 7% | 6% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 96% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 90% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 1,463 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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% | 1% | 3% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 66% | 2% | 1% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 56% | 4% | 9% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 76% | 2% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 64% | 5% | 5% | 1,463 |
Views about human evolution among adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who strongly favor or favor gay marriage 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 | 20% | 32% | 1% | 45% | 3% | 2,272 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 42% | 3% | 26% | 2% | 4,755 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 34% | 10% | 28% | 15% | 248 |
Not the word of God | 70% | 16% | 4% | 9% | 1% | 9,970 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 27% | 14% | 16% | 8% | 1,463 |