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 | 27% | 25% | 2% | 38% | 7% | 17,514 |
2007 | 29% | 26% | 3% | 33% | 10% | 16,291 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among men by religious group
% of men 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% | 2% | 74% | 12% | 138 |
Catholic | 24% | 34% | 2% | 32% | 7% | 3,426 |
Evangelical Protestant | 51% | 30% | 4% | 9% | 5% | 4,061 |
Hindu | 7% | 15% | < 1% | 66% | 11% | 136 |
Historically Black Protestant | 59% | 20% | 3% | 12% | 6% | 818 |
Jewish | 10% | 24% | 2% | 55% | 8% | 428 |
Mainline Protestant | 22% | 34% | 2% | 32% | 10% | 2,778 |
Mormon | 28% | 56% | 6% | 7% | 4% | 347 |
Muslim | 44% | 27% | 9% | 15% | 5% | 152 |
Orthodox Christian | 17% | 51% | 2% | 23% | 8% | 106 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 8% | 10% | 1% | 74% | 7% | 4,471 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Switch Display To: religious group among men by interpretation of scripture
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 15% | 35% | 31% | 19% | 4,178 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 34% | 25% | 16% | 4,507 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 31% | 28% | 22% | 414 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 35% | 23% | 13% | 6,887 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 36% | 27% | 18% | 1,236 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by age group
Generational cohort among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 10% | 11% | 29% | 36% | 12% | 1% | 4,178 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 14% | 28% | 30% | 10% | 1% | 4,507 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 11% | 11% | 28% | 34% | 15% | 1% | 414 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 18% | 27% | 27% | 8% | 1% | 6,887 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 16% | 28% | 33% | 10% | 2% | 1,236 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by generational group
Racial and ethnic composition among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 57% | 19% | 3% | 19% | 3% | 4,191 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 71% | 9% | 3% | 13% | 4% | 4,509 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 64% | 12% | 3% | 17% | 3% | 415 |
Not the word of God | 72% | 6% | 6% | 13% | 4% | 6,856 |
Other/don't know | 66% | 9% | 5% | 14% | 5% | 1,236 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 19% | 7% | 74% | 4,189 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 12% | 10% | 78% | 4,526 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 17% | 8% | 75% | 424 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 13% | 74% | 6,900 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 8% | 76% | 1,259 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by immigrant status
Income distribution among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 40% | 22% | 24% | 13% | 3,730 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 20% | 31% | 23% | 4,124 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 22% | 29% | 18% | 354 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 19% | 30% | 27% | 6,365 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 20% | 25% | 21% | 1,036 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by household income
Educational distribution among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 59% | 26% | 10% | 5% | 4,218 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 31% | 18% | 12% | 4,553 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 31% | 14% | 11% | 424 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 31% | 20% | 14% | 6,949 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 37% | 15% | 10% | 1,269 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by educational group
Marital status among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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% | 14% | 5% | 23% | 4,235 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 6% | 11% | 3% | 28% | 4,558 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 3% | 12% | 6% | 19% | 425 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 10% | 11% | 2% | 34% | 6,948 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 10% | 12% | 4% | 28% | 1,263 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 27% | 73% | 4,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 71% | 4,550 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 70% | 427 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 77% | 6,946 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 74% | 1,277 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 86% | 11% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 73% | 23% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 85% | 11% | < 1% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 27% | 13% | 1% | 31% | 5% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 56% | 23% | 5% | 3% | 5% | 7% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 82% | 14% | 2% | 2% | < 1% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 34% | 6% | 2% | < 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 14% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 29% | 25% | 32% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 31% | 13% | 9% | 3% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 57% | 28% | 14% | < 1% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 40% | 19% | < 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 27% | 16% | 2% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 32% | 60% | < 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 41% | 35% | 3% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 74% | 14% | 4% | 7% | 1% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 23% | 8% | 13% | < 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 75% | 13% | 3% | 5% | 3% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 12% | 8% | 60% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 16% | 9% | 27% | 5% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 44% | 13% | 10% | 32% | < 1% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 23% | 11% | 11% | 54% | < 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 10% | 8% | 39% | 2% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 3% | 5% | 88% | < 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 13% | 9% | 8% | 66% | 3% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 51% | 7% | 4% | 35% | 3% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 8% | 5% | 50% | 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 6% | 4% | 34% | 7% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 9% | 6% | 57% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 10% | 4% | 43% | 5% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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% | 12% | 7% | 9% | 1% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 18% | 11% | 14% | 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 12% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 37% | 16% | 12% | 33% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 14% | 9% | 21% | 5% | 1,289 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 46% | 15% | 12% | 26% | 2% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 18% | 14% | 25% | 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 10% | 12% | 23% | 9% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 48% | 16% | 14% | 21% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 13% | 11% | 23% | 4% | 1,289 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 57% | 5% | 31% | 5% | 2% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 9% | 48% | 6% | 3% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 4% | 29% | 2% | 13% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 19% | 57% | 18% | 2% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 14% | 52% | 9% | 8% | 1,289 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 48% | 49% | 1% | 2% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 57% | 1% | < 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 43% | 6% | 3% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 64% | 5% | 3% | 1,289 |
Frequency of reading scripture among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 58% | 12% | 8% | 22% | 1% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 14% | 11% | 40% | < 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 62% | 9% | 5% | 21% | 3% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 6% | 8% | 78% | < 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 11% | 9% | 54% | 4% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by frequency of reading scripture
Belief in Heaven among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 91% | 4% | 4% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 89% | 6% | 4% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 6% | 16% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 55% | 9% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 17% | 23% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 85% | 10% | 5% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 73% | 21% | 6% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 75% | 11% | 14% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 67% | 7% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 29% | 23% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 49% | 17% | 35% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 16% | 32% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 25% | 32% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 19% | 52% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 32% | 36% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by political party
Political ideology among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 21% | 16% | 6% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 36% | 15% | 4% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 23% | 10% | 12% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 39% | 34% | 5% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 36% | 19% | 14% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by political ideology
Views about size of government among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 56% | 40% | 2% | 2% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 29% | 2% | 2% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 26% | 5% | 9% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 56% | 38% | 3% | 3% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 29% | 9% | 10% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 54% | 41% | 3% | 2% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 40% | 3% | 2% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 36% | 9% | 4% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 55% | 4% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 43% | 11% | 6% | 1,289 |
Views about abortion among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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% | 65% | 5% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 53% | 3% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 58% | 17% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 77% | 20% | 3% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 34% | 15% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 31% | 62% | 4% | 4% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 38% | 5% | 3% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 26% | 53% | 9% | 11% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 81% | 14% | 3% | 2% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 56% | 27% | 9% | 8% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 23% | 70% | 7% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 47% | 7% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 21% | 61% | 18% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 76% | 18% | 6% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 35% | 18% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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 | 53% | 41% | 3% | 3% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 51% | 2% | 1% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 41% | 6% | 5% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 66% | 2% | 2% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 51% | 6% | 7% | 1,289 |
Views about human evolution among men by interpretation of scripture
% of men 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% | 57% | 5% | 4,251 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 40% | 3% | 34% | 4% | 4,573 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 22% | 6% | 43% | 20% | 430 |
Not the word of God | 67% | 16% | 5% | 11% | 1% | 6,971 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 26% | 15% | 21% | 9% | 1,289 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among men by views about human evolution