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% | 27% | 3% | 24% | 7% | 20,955 |
2007 | 42% | 27% | 4% | 19% | 8% | 19,253 |
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by religious group
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 8% | 11% | 1% | 68% | 12% | 166 |
Catholic | 30% | 37% | 3% | 22% | 8% | 4,173 |
Evangelical Protestant | 61% | 26% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 6,541 |
Historically Black Protestant | 63% | 22% | 3% | 6% | 6% | 1,423 |
Jehovah's Witness | 46% | 40% | 8% | 2% | 4% | 203 |
Jewish | 18% | 29% | 3% | 40% | 10% | 320 |
Mainline Protestant | 31% | 34% | 3% | 23% | 9% | 3,532 |
Mormon | 37% | 53% | 5% | 3% | 2% | 545 |
Muslim | 42% | 33% | 10% | 11% | 4% | 152 |
Orthodox Christian | 28% | 48% | 3% | 18% | 5% | 103 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 13% | 11% | 1% | 68% | 7% | 3,048 |
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 feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 14% | 32% | 31% | 23% | 7,481 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 33% | 26% | 19% | 5,812 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 11% | 29% | 30% | 30% | 696 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 36% | 25% | 13% | 5,090 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 32% | 29% | 22% | 1,411 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 10% | 28% | 37% | 15% | 2% | 7,481 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 14% | 13% | 27% | 31% | 13% | 1% | 5,812 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 7% | 7% | 26% | 36% | 22% | 2% | 696 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 18% | 28% | 29% | 8% | 1% | 5,090 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 16% | 25% | 35% | 15% | 2% | 1,411 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 59% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 58% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 58% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 50% | 50% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 53% | 1,481 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 58% | 19% | 2% | 17% | 3% | 7,557 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 11% | 2% | 13% | 4% | 5,860 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 11% | 2% | 16% | 5% | 702 |
Not the word of God | 68% | 7% | 4% | 16% | 5% | 5,073 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 15% | 4% | 16% | 5% | 1,431 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 17% | 7% | 76% | 7,550 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 13% | 10% | 78% | 5,871 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 18% | 8% | 75% | 716 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 13% | 72% | 5,119 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 8% | 76% | 1,443 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 45% | 22% | 23% | 11% | 6,502 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 21% | 29% | 20% | 5,181 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 35% | 19% | 30% | 16% | 556 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 19% | 28% | 26% | 4,669 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 20% | 24% | 18% | 1,168 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 53% | 31% | 11% | 6% | 7,602 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 35% | 20% | 12% | 5,902 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 34% | 15% | 9% | 720 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 33% | 22% | 16% | 5,144 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 34% | 18% | 13% | 1,459 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 54% | 5% | 15% | 10% | 17% | 7,617 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 5% | 13% | 6% | 23% | 5,900 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 58% | 3% | 13% | 12% | 14% | 720 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 11% | 12% | 4% | 28% | 5,151 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 9% | 16% | 8% | 22% | 1,455 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 70% | 7,624 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 69% | 5,897 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 27% | 73% | 719 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 73% | 5,159 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 73% | 1,470 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 91% | 7% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 85% | 13% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 90% | 7% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 28% | 9% | 1% | 19% | 4% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 73% | 18% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 1,481 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 91% | 7% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 76% | 20% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 85% | 11% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 31% | 18% | 24% | 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 25% | 7% | 5% | 2% | 1,481 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 67% | 23% | 9% | < 1% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 34% | 13% | < 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 64% | 22% | 13% | 2% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 35% | 51% | < 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 38% | 25% | 2% | 1,481 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 87% | 9% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 77% | 16% | 3% | 3% | < 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 87% | 8% | < 1% | 3% | 2% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 16% | 6% | 39% | 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 67% | 14% | 5% | 11% | 3% | 1,481 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 54% | 13% | 8% | 24% | 1% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 13% | 12% | 42% | < 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 10% | 9% | 32% | 1% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 5% | 6% | 80% | < 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 9% | 9% | 57% | 2% | 1,481 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 60% | 6% | 2% | 29% | 2% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 8% | 3% | 37% | 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 5% | 2% | 29% | 5% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 11% | 4% | 37% | 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 9% | 3% | 32% | 2% | 1,481 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 53% | 14% | 8% | 23% | 2% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 17% | 10% | 19% | 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 13% | 8% | 23% | 7% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 64% | 13% | 8% | 13% | 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 11% | 8% | 18% | 3% | 1,481 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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% | 25% | 4% | 2% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 8% | 38% | 4% | 3% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 3% | 25% | 3% | 12% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 20% | 54% | 15% | 2% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 11% | 47% | 6% | 8% | 1,481 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 49% | 49% | 1% | 1% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 58% | 1% | 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 43% | 6% | 3% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 77% | 1% | 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 64% | 4% | 2% | 1,481 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 72% | 10% | 5% | 13% | 1% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 13% | 10% | 26% | 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 68% | 10% | 6% | 15% | 2% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 8% | 9% | 67% | < 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 12% | 9% | 38% | 2% | 1,481 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 91% | 5% | 5% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 5% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 81% | 6% | 13% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 45% | 9% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 69% | 13% | 18% | 1,481 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 83% | 11% | 6% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 21% | 7% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 14% | 16% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 64% | 8% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 32% | 19% | 1,481 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 18% | 36% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 15% | 38% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 27% | 29% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 19% | 58% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 28% | 43% | 1,481 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 24% | 14% | 6% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 36% | 16% | 5% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 24% | 12% | 14% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 37% | 41% | 5% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 35% | 24% | 11% | 1,481 |
Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 52% | 43% | 2% | 3% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 36% | 2% | 3% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 28% | 7% | 10% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 45% | 4% | 4% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 36% | 9% | 9% | 1,481 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 50% | 44% | 4% | 2% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 45% | 4% | 1% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 36% | 10% | 6% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 61% | 4% | 1% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 48% | 10% | 5% | 1,481 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 29% | 67% | 4% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 53% | 3% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 59% | 13% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 77% | 20% | 3% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 35% | 13% | 1,481 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 34% | 58% | 4% | 4% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 34% | 5% | 3% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 49% | 9% | 11% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 86% | 10% | 3% | 2% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 23% | 10% | 7% | 1,481 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 24% | 69% | 7% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 46% | 8% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 59% | 17% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 82% | 13% | 5% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 30% | 14% | 1,481 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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% | 44% | 2% | 4% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 56% | 2% | 2% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 42% | 7% | 10% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 53% | 6% | 8% | 1,481 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week 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 | 10% | 22% | 2% | 61% | 5% | 7,652 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 39% | 3% | 39% | 4% | 5,922 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 5% | 20% | 5% | 54% | 16% | 730 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 21% | 5% | 13% | 2% | 5,170 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 30% | 11% | 26% | 10% | 1,481 |