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 | 40% | 23% | 3% | 27% | 7% | 8,845 |
2007 | 44% | 23% | 4% | 20% | 9% | 8,068 |
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 with a household income of less than $30,000 by religious group
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 39% | 27% | 3% | 23% | 7% | 1,812 |
Evangelical Protestant | 57% | 26% | 4% | 8% | 5% | 2,370 |
Historically Black Protestant | 67% | 19% | 2% | 8% | 4% | 791 |
Jehovah's Witness | 54% | 36% | 2% | 3% | 5% | 102 |
Mainline Protestant | 37% | 30% | 2% | 22% | 9% | 1,208 |
Mormon | 41% | 46% | 3% | 6% | 4% | 131 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 16% | 15% | 1% | 60% | 8% | 1,852 |
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 with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 17% | 33% | 28% | 22% | 3,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 28% | 22% | 19% | 2,055 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 13% | 26% | 28% | 32% | 262 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 29% | 18% | 13% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 28% | 29% | 21% | 663 |
Generational cohort among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 9% | 14% | 27% | 33% | 15% | 2% | 3,426 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 18% | 23% | 27% | 13% | 1% | 2,055 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 6% | 9% | 24% | 33% | 23% | 4% | 262 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 25% | 21% | 22% | 8% | 1% | 2,362 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 17% | 23% | 34% | 13% | 2% | 663 |
Gender composition among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 38% | 62% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 60% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 64% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 49% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 55% | 672 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 25% | 2% | 27% | 4% | 3,432 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 14% | 2% | 19% | 5% | 2,061 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 13% | 1% | 23% | 4% | 263 |
Not the word of God | 62% | 9% | 4% | 20% | 6% | 2,352 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 13% | 3% | 20% | 5% | 656 |
Immigrant status among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 23% | 8% | 69% | 3,389 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 17% | 10% | 73% | 2,046 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 22% | 5% | 72% | 262 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 14% | 71% | 2,338 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 9% | 73% | 650 |
Educational distribution among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 70% | 24% | 4% | 1% | 3,446 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 33% | 7% | 3% | 2,072 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 63% | 27% | 7% | 3% | 265 |
Not the word of God | 49% | 36% | 10% | 5% | 2,369 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 35% | 9% | 2% | 665 |
Marital status among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 33% | 8% | 21% | 13% | 25% | 3,446 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 9% | 20% | 10% | 34% | 2,071 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 6% | 21% | 21% | 22% | 265 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 14% | 18% | 6% | 41% | 2,368 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 12% | 23% | 11% | 32% | 666 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 31% | 69% | 3,452 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 71% | 2,072 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 76% | 266 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 75% | 2,370 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 76% | 669 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 84% | 13% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 73% | 23% | 3% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 79% | 16% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 2% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 26% | 13% | 1% | 23% | 4% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 23% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 672 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 83% | 13% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 32% | 7% | 3% | < 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 74% | 21% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 32% | 19% | 26% | 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 26% | 14% | 6% | 3% | 672 |
Attendance at religious services among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 53% | 30% | 15% | 1% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 39% | 26% | 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 30% | 22% | < 1% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 11% | 30% | 59% | < 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 37% | 38% | 2% | 672 |
Frequency of prayer among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 77% | 14% | 3% | 5% | < 1% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 20% | 6% | 10% | < 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 79% | 8% | 3% | 7% | 2% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 14% | 8% | 46% | 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 14% | 8% | 20% | 4% | 672 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 43% | 14% | 9% | 33% | 1% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 11% | 11% | 53% | < 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 10% | 10% | 44% | 2% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 5% | 5% | 84% | < 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 8% | 8% | 65% | 4% | 672 |
Frequency of meditation among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 56% | 8% | 3% | 31% | 2% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 8% | 4% | 45% | 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 5% | 2% | 35% | 5% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 10% | 4% | 51% | 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 10% | 4% | 39% | 3% | 672 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 72% | 11% | 7% | 9% | 1% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 16% | 9% | 15% | 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 65% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 6% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 17% | 10% | 31% | 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 13% | 9% | 20% | 3% | 672 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 49% | 13% | 10% | 26% | 2% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 15% | 13% | 27% | 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 12% | 12% | 23% | 10% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 52% | 15% | 9% | 24% | 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 11% | 12% | 25% | 4% | 672 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 54% | 6% | 32% | 6% | 2% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 10% | 49% | 6% | 2% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 3% | 37% | 5% | 12% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 17% | 58% | 15% | 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 10% | 55% | 7% | 5% | 672 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 35% | 62% | 1% | 2% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 68% | 1% | 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 57% | 4% | 5% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 68% | 5% | 2% | 672 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 61% | 11% | 6% | 21% | 1% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 14% | 11% | 37% | < 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 10% | 6% | 29% | 2% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 8% | 7% | 71% | < 1% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 11% | 9% | 47% | 2% | 672 |
Belief in Heaven among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 92% | 4% | 4% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 88% | 8% | 4% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 84% | 6% | 11% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 48% | 43% | 9% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 67% | 12% | 21% | 672 |
Belief in Hell among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 80% | 13% | 6% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 71% | 24% | 6% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 74% | 10% | 15% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 58% | 9% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 27% | 21% | 672 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 21% | 49% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 21% | 48% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 34% | 38% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 25% | 56% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 34% | 46% | 672 |
Political ideology among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 28% | 21% | 8% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 38% | 22% | 7% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 26% | 18% | 16% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 33% | 40% | 8% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 33% | 26% | 15% | 672 |
Views about size of government among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 31% | 64% | 2% | 3% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 51% | 2% | 3% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 33% | 50% | 5% | 11% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 50% | 4% | 4% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 45% | 9% | 12% | 672 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 37% | 57% | 4% | 3% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 58% | 4% | 1% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 46% | 11% | 6% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 55% | 11% | 6% | 672 |
Views about abortion among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 33% | 62% | 4% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 50% | 3% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 35% | 48% | 17% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 71% | 26% | 4% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 34% | 13% | 672 |
Views about homosexuality among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 43% | 49% | 4% | 4% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 31% | 4% | 2% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 40% | 6% | 10% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 83% | 13% | 3% | 2% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 23% | 8% | 8% | 672 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 32% | 60% | 9% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 40% | 7% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 47% | 23% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 75% | 18% | 7% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 29% | 16% | 672 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 57% | 1% | 2% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 44% | 8% | 16% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 65% | 2% | 3% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 51% | 5% | 8% | 672 |
Views about human evolution among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 16% | 24% | 3% | 52% | 6% | 3,455 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 33% | 2% | 39% | 3% | 2,075 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 19% | 7% | 37% | 23% | 267 |
Not the word of God | 55% | 19% | 4% | 19% | 3% | 2,376 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 24% | 11% | 25% | 12% | 672 |