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 | 39% | 33% | 3% | 19% | 6% | 24,337 |
2007 | 40% | 32% | 4% | 17% | 8% | 25,775 |
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 believe in Heaven by religious group
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 28% | 40% | 3% | 22% | 7% | 6,083 |
Evangelical Protestant | 56% | 30% | 4% | 7% | 4% | 7,452 |
Historically Black Protestant | 61% | 24% | 3% | 7% | 6% | 1,761 |
Jehovah's Witness | 45% | 38% | 11% | 3% | 3% | 126 |
Jewish | 23% | 42% | 2% | 27% | 6% | 288 |
Mainline Protestant | 28% | 40% | 3% | 21% | 8% | 4,683 |
Mormon | 34% | 55% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 626 |
Muslim | 45% | 32% | 10% | 10% | 3% | 202 |
Orthodox Christian | 27% | 46% | 2% | 18% | 7% | 138 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 22% | 23% | 2% | 45% | 9% | 2,430 |
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 15% | 34% | 30% | 22% | 8,701 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 34% | 25% | 17% | 8,347 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 28% | 29% | 28% | 769 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 35% | 25% | 12% | 4,473 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 34% | 28% | 20% | 1,559 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults who believe in Heaven by age group
Generational cohort among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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% | 35% | 15% | 2% | 8,701 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 14% | 28% | 30% | 11% | 1% | 8,347 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 8% | 9% | 25% | 36% | 20% | 2% | 769 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 18% | 28% | 29% | 7% | < 1% | 4,473 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 16% | 28% | 34% | 12% | 2% | 1,559 |
Gender composition among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 57% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 54% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 60% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 50% | 50% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 54% | 1,615 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults who believe in Heaven by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 20% | 2% | 18% | 3% | 8,782 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 71% | 10% | 3% | 13% | 4% | 8,408 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 65% | 11% | 3% | 15% | 6% | 785 |
Not the word of God | 68% | 8% | 5% | 15% | 4% | 4,481 |
Other/don't know | 65% | 13% | 4% | 14% | 5% | 1,573 |
Immigrant status among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 17% | 7% | 76% | 8,734 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 12% | 10% | 78% | 8,407 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 18% | 8% | 75% | 788 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 12% | 74% | 4,490 |
Other/don't know | 13% | 8% | 79% | 1,578 |
Income distribution among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 47% | 22% | 21% | 10% | 7,565 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 21% | 30% | 20% | 7,503 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 22% | 25% | 14% | 619 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 20% | 28% | 21% | 4,092 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 20% | 25% | 17% | 1,305 |
Educational distribution among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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% | 10% | 5% | 8,827 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 34% | 18% | 11% | 8,461 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 35% | 14% | 7% | 796 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 34% | 18% | 12% | 4,521 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 36% | 15% | 10% | 1,597 |
Marital status among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 50% | 5% | 15% | 9% | 20% | 8,851 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 6% | 12% | 6% | 26% | 8,464 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 4% | 13% | 12% | 17% | 796 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 11% | 11% | 4% | 30% | 4,525 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 9% | 15% | 9% | 22% | 1,598 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 70% | 8,859 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 68% | 8,457 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 72% | 796 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 71% | 4,528 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 71% | 1,604 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 88% | 10% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 78% | 20% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 88% | 9% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 38% | 10% | < 1% | 3% | 2% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 70% | 23% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1,615 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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% | 12% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 31% | 5% | 1% | < 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 83% | 13% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 44% | 19% | 8% | 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 31% | 8% | 3% | 1% | 1,615 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 60% | 28% | 12% | < 1% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 41% | 17% | < 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 29% | 15% | 2% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 44% | 41% | < 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 43% | 25% | 2% | 1,615 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 80% | 12% | 3% | 4% | 1% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 22% | 6% | 8% | < 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 81% | 10% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 22% | 11% | 27% | < 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 19% | 7% | 12% | 3% | 1,615 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 45% | 14% | 9% | 31% | 1% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 12% | 11% | 52% | < 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 10% | 9% | 40% | 2% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 5% | 7% | 80% | < 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 10% | 9% | 62% | 2% | 1,615 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 53% | 7% | 3% | 35% | 2% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 8% | 4% | 48% | 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 5% | 3% | 35% | 5% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 10% | 5% | 53% | 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 10% | 4% | 43% | 3% | 1,615 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 75% | 11% | 6% | 7% | 1% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 60% | 18% | 10% | 11% | 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 10% | 9% | 6% | 5% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 18% | 13% | 21% | 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 58% | 15% | 10% | 13% | 3% | 1,615 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 45% | 14% | 11% | 27% | 2% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 18% | 14% | 25% | 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 13% | 11% | 26% | 7% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 16% | 14% | 24% | < 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 15% | 13% | 25% | 3% | 1,615 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 59% | 4% | 30% | 4% | 2% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 9% | 46% | 5% | 2% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 3% | 32% | 3% | 10% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 11% | 14% | 62% | 11% | 2% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 10% | 52% | 6% | 6% | 1,615 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 44% | 54% | 1% | 2% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 62% | 1% | < 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 51% | 5% | 3% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 66% | 3% | 2% | 1,615 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 62% | 11% | 6% | 20% | 1% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 15% | 11% | 37% | < 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 58% | 11% | 8% | 21% | 2% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 8% | 9% | 68% | < 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 13% | 10% | 44% | 2% | 1,615 |
Belief in Hell among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 86% | 10% | 4% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 76% | 19% | 5% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 11% | 11% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 60% | 35% | 5% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 66% | 22% | 11% | 1,615 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 18% | 39% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 15% | 38% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 26% | 31% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 18% | 51% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 26% | 43% | 1,615 |
Political ideology among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 26% | 15% | 7% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 38% | 17% | 4% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 25% | 11% | 17% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 40% | 31% | 5% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 37% | 21% | 13% | 1,615 |
Views about size of government among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 48% | 47% | 2% | 3% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 37% | 2% | 2% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 31% | 7% | 12% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 52% | 43% | 2% | 3% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 36% | 7% | 9% | 1,615 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 49% | 45% | 3% | 2% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 45% | 3% | 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 35% | 10% | 8% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 41% | 54% | 3% | 1% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 47% | 8% | 4% | 1,615 |
Views about abortion among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 32% | 63% | 4% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 49% | 2% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 55% | 15% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 71% | 26% | 3% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 34% | 12% | 1,615 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 37% | 55% | 4% | 4% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 30% | 4% | 3% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 35% | 47% | 9% | 9% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 83% | 13% | 3% | 2% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 24% | 8% | 7% | 1,615 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 27% | 65% | 8% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 41% | 7% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 27% | 55% | 19% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 75% | 19% | 6% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 31% | 14% | 1,615 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 48% | 46% | 2% | 4% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 56% | 2% | 1% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 42% | 7% | 11% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 64% | 2% | 2% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 52% | 6% | 7% | 1,615 |
Views about human evolution among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who believe in Heaven 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 | 12% | 23% | 2% | 58% | 5% | 8,889 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 39% | 3% | 36% | 3% | 8,489 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 21% | 5% | 47% | 17% | 806 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 29% | 4% | 18% | 2% | 4,538 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 32% | 10% | 25% | 10% | 1,615 |