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 | 34% | 28% | 3% | 28% | 7% | 17,557 |
2007 | 37% | 28% | 4% | 23% | 9% | 19,265 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among women by religious group
% of women 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 | 6% | 9% | < 1% | 72% | 13% | 126 |
Catholic | 27% | 38% | 4% | 24% | 8% | 3,776 |
Evangelical Protestant | 58% | 28% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 4,532 |
Historically Black Protestant | 59% | 25% | 2% | 7% | 6% | 1,098 |
Jehovah's Witness | 52% | 37% | 6% | 2% | 3% | 158 |
Jewish | 12% | 24% | 1% | 56% | 8% | 419 |
Mainline Protestant | 26% | 37% | 3% | 25% | 9% | 3,305 |
Mormon | 37% | 51% | 4% | 5% | 3% | 317 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 11% | 12% | 1% | 69% | 7% | 3,085 |
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 women by interpretation of scripture
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 14% | 33% | 29% | 23% | 5,418 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 33% | 25% | 18% | 4,870 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 27% | 33% | 32% | 525 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 35% | 23% | 13% | 5,065 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 31% | 27% | 24% | 1,245 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by age group
Generational cohort among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 11% | 28% | 35% | 16% | 2% | 5,418 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 14% | 27% | 30% | 12% | 1% | 4,870 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 6% | 6% | 24% | 38% | 23% | 3% | 525 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 19% | 27% | 27% | 8% | 1% | 5,065 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 15% | 26% | 33% | 16% | 2% | 1,245 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by generational group
Racial and ethnic composition among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 57% | 20% | 2% | 18% | 4% | 5,498 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 11% | 2% | 13% | 4% | 4,934 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 10% | 2% | 16% | 7% | 535 |
Not the word of God | 72% | 6% | 5% | 12% | 4% | 5,099 |
Other/don't know | 64% | 13% | 5% | 15% | 4% | 1,276 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 16% | 8% | 76% | 5,456 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 12% | 10% | 77% | 4,920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 6% | 74% | 538 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 13% | 73% | 5,108 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 10% | 74% | 1,273 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by immigrant status
Income distribution among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 51% | 21% | 19% | 8% | 4,595 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 22% | 28% | 17% | 4,285 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 19% | 25% | 12% | 394 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 18% | 27% | 24% | 4,592 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 19% | 24% | 15% | 1,015 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by household income
Educational distribution among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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% | 5% | 5,523 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 36% | 18% | 11% | 4,956 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 34% | 14% | 7% | 547 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 32% | 24% | 18% | 5,133 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 33% | 18% | 13% | 1,296 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by educational group
Marital status among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 49% | 5% | 16% | 12% | 17% | 5,533 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 49% | 6% | 13% | 8% | 23% | 4,954 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 4% | 14% | 15% | 16% | 548 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 11% | 12% | 6% | 27% | 5,137 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 8% | 16% | 13% | 19% | 1,290 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 33% | 67% | 5,544 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 67% | 4,956 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 26% | 74% | 547 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 71% | 5,153 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 71% | 1,301 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 90% | 8% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 79% | 18% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 86% | 9% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 2% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 30% | 11% | 1% | 21% | 4% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 23% | 5% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 87% | 10% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 65% | 29% | 5% | 1% | < 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 15% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 32% | 23% | 25% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 32% | 11% | 5% | 2% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 63% | 26% | 11% | 1% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 40% | 17% | < 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 28% | 16% | 2% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 11% | 34% | 55% | < 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 40% | 30% | 2% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 84% | 10% | 2% | 3% | < 1% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 19% | 5% | 6% | 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 84% | 8% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 17% | 8% | 43% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 17% | 6% | 14% | 4% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 48% | 13% | 8% | 29% | 1% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 12% | 11% | 51% | < 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 9% | 10% | 40% | 2% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 5% | 5% | 84% | < 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 7% | 7% | 65% | 2% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 54% | 7% | 3% | 34% | 2% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 9% | 4% | 46% | 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 5% | 3% | 36% | 4% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 11% | 5% | 50% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 8% | 4% | 44% | 3% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 78% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 17% | 10% | 9% | 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 73% | 8% | 9% | 6% | 4% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 48% | 17% | 12% | 21% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 58% | 14% | 10% | 14% | 4% | 1,312 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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% | 14% | 10% | 27% | 3% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 18% | 14% | 25% | 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 14% | 10% | 28% | 6% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 18% | 14% | 21% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 15% | 14% | 26% | 3% | 1,312 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 62% | 4% | 29% | 4% | 2% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 9% | 44% | 5% | 2% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 4% | 34% | 4% | 9% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 18% | 58% | 15% | 2% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 9% | 54% | 6% | 6% | 1,312 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 43% | 55% | 1% | 2% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 66% | 1% | 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 53% | 4% | 4% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 17% | 81% | 1% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 72% | 2% | 2% | 1,312 |
Frequency of reading scripture among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 66% | 10% | 5% | 17% | 1% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 14% | 11% | 36% | < 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 10% | 8% | 22% | 2% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 10% | 7% | 8% | 76% | < 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 12% | 10% | 47% | 2% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by frequency of reading scripture
Belief in Heaven among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 91% | 5% | 4% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 89% | 6% | 5% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 86% | 5% | 9% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 44% | 9% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 69% | 13% | 18% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 80% | 13% | 7% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 68% | 25% | 7% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 68% | 15% | 16% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 64% | 8% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 35% | 20% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 40% | 20% | 40% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 16% | 43% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 31% | 28% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 16% | 64% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 25% | 48% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by political party
Political ideology among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 50% | 28% | 14% | 8% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 40% | 19% | 5% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 26% | 13% | 19% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 34% | 48% | 5% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 36% | 26% | 12% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by political ideology
Views about size of government among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 44% | 50% | 2% | 4% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 43% | 2% | 3% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 34% | 8% | 13% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 41% | 52% | 3% | 4% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 42% | 8% | 10% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 47% | 47% | 4% | 2% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 51% | 3% | 1% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 34% | 10% | 10% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 65% | 3% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 50% | 8% | 6% | 1,312 |
Views about abortion among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 45% | 3% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 56% | 13% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 81% | 17% | 2% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 29% | 11% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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% | 4% | 5% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 24% | 3% | 3% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 39% | 9% | 11% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 92% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 70% | 16% | 7% | 6% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 29% | 62% | 9% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 36% | 7% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 50% | 19% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 88% | 8% | 4% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 66% | 22% | 12% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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 | 45% | 48% | 2% | 5% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 61% | 2% | 2% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 41% | 7% | 16% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 75% | 2% | 2% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 56% | 6% | 9% | 1,312 |
Views about human evolution among women by interpretation of scripture
% of women 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% | 22% | 2% | 59% | 5% | 5,560 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 21% | 36% | 3% | 37% | 3% | 4,969 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 10% | 18% | 6% | 50% | 17% | 555 |
Not the word of God | 62% | 18% | 4% | 13% | 2% | 5,161 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 26% | 11% | 24% | 12% | 1,312 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among women by views about human evolution