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 | 36% | 22% | 3% | 31% | 7% | 3,954 |
2007 | 34% | 23% | 4% | 26% | 13% | 3,186 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among immigrants by religious group
% of immigrants 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 | 41% | 24% | 4% | 24% | 7% | 1,429 |
Evangelical Protestant | 55% | 27% | 5% | 7% | 6% | 603 |
Hindu | 11% | 15% | 1% | 62% | 12% | 171 |
Historically Black Protestant | 65% | 21% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 112 |
Mainline Protestant | 31% | 31% | 3% | 25% | 9% | 317 |
Muslim | 38% | 33% | 12% | 12% | 5% | 146 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 17% | 10% | 1% | 65% | 7% | 810 |
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 immigrants by interpretation of scripture
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 16% | 50% | 23% | 11% | 1,243 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 44% | 19% | 10% | 884 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 18% | 32% | 32% | 18% | 124 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 44% | 21% | 9% | 1,339 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 46% | 21% | 14% | 292 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by age group
Generational cohort among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 19% | 40% | 26% | 7% | < 1% | 1,243 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 19% | 36% | 22% | 6% | < 1% | 884 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 10% | 9% | 30% | 37% | 13% | 1% | 124 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 20% | 35% | 23% | 6% | < 1% | 1,339 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 21% | 37% | 25% | 8% | 2% | 292 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by generational group
Gender composition among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 54% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 54% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 60% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 54% | 46% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 51% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 11% | 11% | 69% | 1% | 1,255 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 10% | 15% | 51% | 2% | 894 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 7% | 13% | 58% | 3% | 123 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 4% | 25% | 39% | 2% | 1,339 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 9% | 25% | 48% | 3% | 300 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by race/ethnicity
Income distribution among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 65% | 19% | 10% | 6% | 1,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 21% | 22% | 14% | 771 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 19% | 25% | 25% | 1,194 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 17% | 15% | 20% | 234 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by household income
Educational distribution among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 69% | 17% | 10% | 5% | 1,254 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 25% | 17% | 11% | 897 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 62% | 17% | 12% | 9% | 123 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 25% | 19% | 20% | 1,352 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 24% | 19% | 16% | 297 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by educational group
Marital status among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 53% | 9% | 15% | 4% | 18% | 1,260 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 7% | 12% | 4% | 26% | 898 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 5% | 13% | 6% | 23% | 124 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 10% | 10% | 2% | 31% | 1,350 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 7% | 13% | 4% | 19% | 301 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 47% | 53% | 1,259 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 59% | 899 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 67% | 125 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 66% | 1,353 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 56% | 299 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 69% | 28% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 71% | 24% | 4% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 72% | 19% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 28% | 16% | 1% | 24% | 3% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 25% | 9% | 3% | 4% | 2% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 66% | 27% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 75% | 21% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 33% | 21% | 24% | 1% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 31% | 12% | 6% | 3% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 59% | 28% | 13% | < 1% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 38% | 15% | 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 23% | 25% | < 1% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 39% | 47% | 1% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 44% | 24% | 2% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 76% | 14% | 4% | 6% | 1% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 19% | 8% | 10% | < 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 81% | 7% | 2% | 10% | < 1% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 14% | 9% | 48% | 1% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 17% | 8% | 22% | 4% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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% | 15% | 9% | 30% | 1% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 14% | 14% | 42% | 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 10% | 12% | 40% | 1% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 7% | 9% | 76% | < 1% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 11% | 8% | 58% | 3% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 61% | 10% | 4% | 21% | 4% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 49% | 8% | 5% | 36% | 2% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 58% | 3% | 4% | 27% | 7% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 10% | 6% | 48% | 2% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 13% | 7% | 39% | 4% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 73% | 11% | 7% | 7% | 2% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 16% | 10% | 10% | 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 69% | 9% | 12% | 3% | 7% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 16% | 15% | 23% | 2% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 14% | 13% | 15% | 5% | 306 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 54% | 13% | 13% | 17% | 3% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 17% | 14% | 21% | 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 10% | 10% | 21% | 12% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 41% | 17% | 19% | 22% | 1% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 15% | 14% | 22% | 5% | 306 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 53% | 6% | 28% | 12% | 2% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 13% | 40% | 10% | 3% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 8% | 34% | 7% | 14% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 10% | 17% | 46% | 25% | 1% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 11% | 46% | 12% | 7% | 306 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 32% | 64% | 1% | 3% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 68% | 2% | < 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 27% | 59% | 5% | 9% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 78% | 1% | 2% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 71% | 4% | 2% | 306 |
Frequency of reading scripture among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 57% | 13% | 7% | 23% | 1% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 14% | 12% | 34% | 1% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 11% | 8% | 30% | 2% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 12% | 8% | 9% | 70% | 1% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 11% | 12% | 49% | 3% | 306 |
Belief in Heaven among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 88% | 7% | 5% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 86% | 11% | 4% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 8% | 13% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 53% | 8% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 23% | 23% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 74% | 19% | 7% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 68% | 26% | 6% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 13% | 21% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 66% | 6% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 33% | 25% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 21% | 35% | 43% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 24% | 48% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 17% | 39% | 44% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 24% | 56% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 35% | 45% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by political party
Political ideology among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 39% | 24% | 27% | 10% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 36% | 24% | 6% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 26% | 23% | 19% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 36% | 41% | 6% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 30% | 26% | 13% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by political ideology
Views about size of government among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 19% | 76% | 2% | 3% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 60% | 3% | 3% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 20% | 62% | 10% | 8% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 38% | 57% | 2% | 3% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 55% | 9% | 5% | 306 |
Views about government aid to the poor among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 38% | 55% | 4% | 3% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 53% | 5% | 2% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 50% | 10% | 7% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 59% | 3% | 2% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 46% | 10% | 6% | 306 |
Views about abortion among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 53% | 4% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 55% | 13% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 71% | 26% | 3% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 41% | 13% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 48% | 43% | 4% | 5% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 61% | 31% | 4% | 4% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 29% | 9% | 16% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 84% | 12% | 2% | 2% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 27% | 8% | 7% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 35% | 55% | 10% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 43% | 9% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 41% | 19% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 77% | 18% | 6% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 40% | 13% | 306 |
Views about environmental regulation among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 38% | 53% | 2% | 7% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 60% | 2% | 3% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 51% | 2% | 19% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 69% | 2% | 3% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 54% | 5% | 9% | 306 |
Views about human evolution among immigrants by interpretation of scripture
% of immigrants 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 | 19% | 24% | 3% | 48% | 6% | 1,264 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 33% | 3% | 36% | 4% | 901 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 17% | 21% | 9% | 32% | 21% | 126 |
Not the word of God | 60% | 15% | 4% | 17% | 3% | 1,357 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 18% | 9% | 33% | 10% | 306 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among immigrants by views about human evolution