Interpreting scripture among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 16% | 29% | 2% | 47% | 6% | 7,002 |
2007 | 19% | 30% | 2% | 40% | 8% | 5,805 |
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 with a household income of $100,000 or more by religious group
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 12% | 41% | 2% | 38% | 7% | 1,454 |
Evangelical Protestant | 46% | 37% | 4% | 9% | 4% | 1,286 |
Historically Black Protestant | 43% | 34% | 3% | 14% | 5% | 172 |
Jewish | 3% | 25% | 1% | 66% | 5% | 341 |
Mainline Protestant | 10% | 39% | 2% | 39% | 9% | 1,431 |
Mormon | 32% | 56% | 3% | 3% | 6% | 136 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 3% | 6% | < 1% | 86% | 5% | 1,757 |
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 with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 11% | 41% | 35% | 12% | 1,052 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 42% | 32% | 11% | 1,992 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 44% | 35% | 12% | 125 |
Not the word of God | 17% | 43% | 29% | 11% | 3,319 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 41% | 36% | 12% | 437 |
Generational cohort among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 9% | 6% | 38% | 39% | 9% | < 1% | 1,052 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 13% | 7% | 38% | 37% | 6% | < 1% | 1,992 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 8% | 5% | 41% | 37% | 9% | 1% | 125 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 11% | 36% | 34% | 5% | < 1% | 3,319 |
Other/don't know | 5% | 9% | 37% | 41% | 6% | 1% | 437 |
Gender composition among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 44% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 45% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 43% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 41% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 41% | 449 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 74% | 12% | 4% | 7% | 3% | 1,055 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 80% | 7% | 3% | 7% | 3% | 1,991 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 8% | 3% | 5% | 6% | 127 |
Not the word of God | 81% | 3% | 7% | 6% | 3% | 3,319 |
Other/don't know | 76% | 6% | 8% | 8% | 2% | 444 |
Immigrant status among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 10% | 6% | 84% | 1,059 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 8% | 11% | 81% | 2,002 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 12% | 9% | 79% | 127 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 12% | 75% | 3,336 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 10% | 74% | 443 |
Educational distribution among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 27% | 30% | 26% | 17% | 1,062 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 17% | 25% | 31% | 27% | 2,010 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 15% | 29% | 25% | 31% | 127 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 23% | 32% | 32% | 3,341 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 24% | 25% | 34% | 446 |
Marital status among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 78% | 2% | 5% | 3% | 12% | 1,063 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 73% | 4% | 6% | 2% | 16% | 2,010 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 76% | 2% | 6% | 3% | 13% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 67% | 8% | 6% | 2% | 19% | 3,344 |
Other/don't know | 73% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 11% | 447 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 37% | 63% | 1,062 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 61% | 2,008 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 62% | 127 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 67% | 3,342 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 61% | 445 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 94% | 5% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 79% | 19% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 88% | 9% | < 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 29% | 14% | < 1% | 30% | 6% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 26% | 6% | 1% | 5% | 6% | 449 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 85% | 13% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 32% | 4% | 1% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 15% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 29% | 26% | 32% | < 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 35% | 11% | 9% | 1% | 449 |
Attendance at religious services among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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% | 26% | 7% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 44% | 13% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 37% | 12% | < 1% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 37% | 54% | < 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 46% | 28% | 1% | 449 |
Frequency of prayer among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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% | 4% | 3% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 22% | 8% | 8% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 13% | 3% | 3% | < 1% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 15% | 9% | 57% | < 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 19% | 6% | 23% | 3% | 449 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 49% | 15% | 11% | 25% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 12% | 13% | 53% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 10% | 5% | 40% | 3% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 2% | 5% | 89% | < 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 10% | 9% | 66% | < 1% | 449 |
Frequency of meditation among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 46% | 7% | 2% | 44% | 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 9% | 5% | 50% | 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 5% | 7% | 43% | 2% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 10% | 6% | 55% | < 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 9% | 4% | 48% | 2% | 449 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 79% | 10% | 6% | 5% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 19% | 13% | 8% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 79% | 10% | 2% | 6% | 3% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 18% | 13% | 24% | 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 15% | 10% | 17% | 3% | 449 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 43% | 17% | 14% | 26% | 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 20% | 15% | 23% | 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 15% | 16% | 21% | 1% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 19% | 17% | 17% | 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 20% | 16% | 17% | 1% | 449 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 66% | 4% | 26% | 3% | 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 11% | 43% | 6% | 2% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 2% | 29% | 2% | 9% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 21% | 54% | 20% | 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 11% | 51% | 11% | 6% | 449 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 61% | 38% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 55% | 1% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 35% | 7% | 2% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 78% | 1% | < 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 61% | 4% | 1% | 449 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 63% | 13% | 7% | 17% | < 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 13% | 13% | 39% | < 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 16% | 3% | 20% | 2% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 5% | 8% | 82% | < 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 11% | 11% | 55% | 1% | 449 |
Belief in Heaven among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 88% | 6% | 6% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 5% | 17% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 58% | 9% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 20% | 20% | 449 |
Belief in Hell among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 24% | 7% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 14% | 16% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 74% | 7% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 35% | 24% | 449 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 69% | 10% | 21% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 61% | 8% | 31% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 62% | 15% | 23% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 10% | 61% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 16% | 40% | 449 |
Political ideology among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 68% | 22% | 8% | 3% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 37% | 15% | 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 25% | 12% | 4% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 39% | 43% | 2% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 39% | 23% | 6% | 449 |
Views about size of government among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 75% | 23% | 1% | 2% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 26% | 1% | 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 73% | 15% | 7% | 5% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 42% | 4% | 3% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 64% | 26% | 5% | 6% | 449 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 68% | 29% | 2% | 1% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 60% | 37% | 2% | 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 33% | 5% | 2% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 60% | 3% | 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 46% | 7% | 2% | 449 |
Views about abortion among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 30% | 66% | 3% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 47% | 2% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 58% | 9% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 85% | 13% | 2% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 64% | 28% | 8% | 449 |
Views about homosexuality among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 32% | 61% | 4% | 3% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 66% | 27% | 4% | 3% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 26% | 43% | 21% | 9% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 90% | 7% | 2% | 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 72% | 16% | 6% | 6% | 449 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 21% | 73% | 6% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 40% | 7% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 61% | 14% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 87% | 10% | 3% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 25% | 14% | 449 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 58% | 37% | 2% | 2% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 53% | 1% | 1% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 40% | 4% | 1% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 75% | 2% | 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 55% | 6% | 3% | 449 |
Views about human evolution among adults with a household income of $100,000 or more by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $100,000 or more 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 | 7% | 23% | 1% | 65% | 4% | 1,064 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 42% | 4% | 30% | 3% | 2,013 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 7% | 27% | 7% | 47% | 11% | 128 |
Not the word of God | 75% | 14% | 4% | 6% | 1% | 3,348 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 27% | 12% | 19% | 7% | 449 |