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 | 24% | 35% | 3% | 28% | 9% | 6,083 |
2007 | 22% | 35% | 4% | 28% | 11% | 7,470 |
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 Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 12% | 27% | 32% | 28% | 1,234 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 30% | 25% | 25% | 2,133 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 7% | 21% | 32% | 40% | 162 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 32% | 28% | 23% | 1,810 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 25% | 32% | 34% | 607 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by age group
Generational cohort among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 8% | 23% | 38% | 19% | 3% | 1,234 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 14% | 11% | 25% | 32% | 16% | 2% | 2,133 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 5% | 7% | 16% | 38% | 28% | 6% | 162 |
Not the word of God | 10% | 12% | 27% | 36% | 14% | 1% | 1,810 |
Other/don't know | 4% | 9% | 21% | 41% | 21% | 4% | 607 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by generational group
Gender composition among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 40% | 60% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 57% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 61% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 49% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 54% | 641 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 82% | 5% | 2% | 8% | 3% | 1,244 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 87% | 3% | 1% | 5% | 3% | 2,142 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 81% | 2% | 1% | 9% | 6% | 170 |
Not the word of God | 90% | 2% | 1% | 4% | 3% | 1,818 |
Other/don't know | 88% | 3% | 1% | 3% | 5% | 621 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 9% | 5% | 86% | 1,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 6% | 7% | 87% | 2,145 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 3% | 88% | 174 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 8% | 86% | 1,824 |
Other/don't know | 7% | 7% | 87% | 625 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by immigrant status
Income distribution among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 44% | 22% | 23% | 10% | 1,060 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 21% | 29% | 26% | 1,867 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 24% | 23% | 22% | 122 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 16% | 31% | 31% | 1,641 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 17% | 30% | 25% | 518 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by household income
Educational distribution among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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% | 29% | 11% | 5% | 1,263 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 34% | 20% | 13% | 2,154 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 34% | 15% | 10% | 172 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 26% | 27% | 20% | 1,826 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 32% | 18% | 18% | 630 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by educational group
Marital status among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 5% | 15% | 13% | 16% | 1,258 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 5% | 10% | 8% | 21% | 2,151 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 1% | 8% | 26% | 10% | 176 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 7% | 13% | 6% | 17% | 1,832 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 6% | 13% | 12% | 12% | 631 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 24% | 76% | 1,261 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 72% | 2,156 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 20% | 80% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 73% | 1,835 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 79% | 633 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 89% | 8% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 74% | 24% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 76% | 18% | 1% | 4% | < 1% | 1% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 37% | 43% | 12% | 1% | 5% | 3% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 64% | 26% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 3% | 641 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 80% | 18% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 37% | 5% | 1% | < 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 13% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 46% | 24% | 6% | 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 37% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 641 |
Attendance at religious services among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 51% | 34% | 15% | 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 45% | 19% | < 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 33% | 21% | 1% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 47% | 38% | < 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 44% | 26% | 2% | 641 |
Frequency of prayer among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 73% | 17% | 3% | 6% | 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 26% | 7% | 9% | 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 76% | 14% | 1% | 3% | 6% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 25% | 11% | 31% | 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 20% | 5% | 14% | 6% | 641 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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% | 14% | 10% | 38% | 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 18% | 12% | 12% | 59% | < 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 9% | 9% | 51% | 2% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 4% | 6% | 83% | < 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 8% | 9% | 65% | 3% | 641 |
Frequency of meditation among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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% | 4% | 42% | 2% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 9% | 6% | 52% | 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 7% | 1% | 33% | 7% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 12% | 5% | 52% | 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 9% | 5% | 42% | 4% | 641 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 71% | 13% | 7% | 8% | 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 22% | 12% | 11% | 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 67% | 12% | 8% | 11% | 2% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 19% | 13% | 22% | 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 15% | 12% | 13% | 5% | 641 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 41% | 15% | 12% | 29% | 3% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 17% | 15% | 25% | 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 8% | 10% | 36% | 5% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 18% | 16% | 20% | 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 15% | 15% | 22% | 4% | 641 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 52% | 4% | 38% | 4% | 2% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 9% | 52% | 5% | 2% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 5% | 38% | 2% | 6% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 18% | 62% | 10% | 2% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 10% | 56% | 8% | 7% | 641 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 41% | 57% | 1% | 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 65% | 1% | 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 35% | 55% | 4% | 5% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 74% | 2% | 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 66% | 4% | 2% | 641 |
Frequency of reading scripture among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 53% | 14% | 7% | 24% | 1% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 15% | 14% | 39% | < 1% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 18% | 10% | 24% | 3% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 10% | 9% | 13% | 68% | < 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 14% | 12% | 45% | 3% | 641 |
Belief in Heaven among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 93% | 4% | 3% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 89% | 5% | 5% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 6% | 13% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 61% | 28% | 11% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 69% | 11% | 20% | 641 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 82% | 11% | 7% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 68% | 23% | 9% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 17% | 18% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 37% | 54% | 9% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 30% | 27% | 641 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 49% | 16% | 35% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 13% | 35% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 34% | 18% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 15% | 52% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 23% | 42% | 641 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by political party
Political ideology among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 31% | 10% | 7% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 42% | 16% | 4% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 29% | 9% | 16% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 39% | 33% | 4% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 39% | 22% | 10% | 641 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Mainline Protestants by political ideology
Views about size of government among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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% | 39% | 3% | 3% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 31% | 2% | 3% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 62% | 20% | 7% | 12% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 37% | 4% | 2% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 28% | 9% | 11% | 641 |
Views about government aid to the poor among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 53% | 42% | 4% | 2% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 42% | 3% | 2% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 32% | 10% | 7% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 55% | 3% | 1% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 49% | 7% | 6% | 641 |
Views about abortion among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 40% | 55% | 5% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 40% | 2% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 45% | 16% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 81% | 16% | 3% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 65% | 23% | 12% | 641 |
Views about homosexuality among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 41% | 50% | 6% | 3% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 23% | 4% | 3% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 39% | 12% | 11% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 85% | 10% | 3% | 2% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 67% | 19% | 8% | 6% | 641 |
Views about same-sex marriage among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 61% | 9% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 33% | 7% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 26% | 55% | 19% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 78% | 16% | 6% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 25% | 15% | 641 |
Views about environmental regulation among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 49% | 45% | 3% | 3% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 56% | 2% | 2% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 38% | 6% | 10% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 67% | 1% | 2% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 58% | 7% | 7% | 641 |
Views about human evolution among Mainline Protestants by interpretation of scripture
% of Mainline Protestants 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 | 13% | 25% | 3% | 55% | 5% | 1,266 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 41% | 4% | 31% | 5% | 2,158 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 6% | 27% | 5% | 46% | 17% | 177 |
Not the word of God | 55% | 27% | 6% | 10% | 2% | 1,841 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 28% | 14% | 18% | 12% | 641 |