Interpreting scripture among younger Millennials
% of younger Millennials who say the holy scripture is…
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 | 20% | 31% | 1% | 44% | 5% | 3,291 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among younger Millennials by religious group
% of younger Millennials 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 | 19% | 44% | 1% | 30% | 6% | 533 |
Evangelical Protestant | 38% | 45% | 3% | 11% | 3% | 643 |
Historically Black Protestant | 43% | 39% | 1% | 12% | 5% | 184 |
Mainline Protestant | 19% | 49% | 1% | 27% | 4% | 371 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 7% | 11% | 1% | 77% | 4% | 1,180 |
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 younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by age group
Gender composition among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 54% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 54% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 43% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 43% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 26% | 3% | 23% | 5% | 641 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 14% | 5% | 21% | 5% | 984 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 7% | 9% | 20% | 5% | 1,441 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 15% | 7% | 21% | 8% | 144 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 16% | 16% | 68% | 634 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 13% | 20% | 67% | 976 |
Not the word of God | 12% | 23% | 65% | 1,442 |
Other/don't know | 13% | 18% | 69% | 140 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by immigrant status
Income distribution among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 53% | 16% | 20% | 11% | 523 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 20% | 26% | 17% | 840 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 21% | 25% | 18% | 1,293 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 17% | 19% | 12% | 105 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by household income
Educational distribution among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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% | 36% | 5% | 1% | 640 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 42% | 10% | 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 43% | 12% | 1% | 1,457 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 53% | 7% | 1% | 146 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by educational group
Marital status among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 14% | 9% | 2% | < 1% | 75% | 641 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 7% | 7% | 1% | < 1% | 84% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 12% | 1% | < 1% | 82% | 1,455 |
Other/don't know | 5% | 9% | 3% | < 1% | 82% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 21% | 79% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 12% | 88% | 984 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 91% | 1,457 |
Other/don't know | 10% | 90% | 146 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 88% | 10% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 26% | 3% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 23% | 16% | < 1% | 38% | 5% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 26% | 14% | 1% | 8% | 9% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 75% | 18% | 4% | 3% | < 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 37% | 7% | 2% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 27% | 29% | 34% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 40% | 22% | 10% | 2% | 147 |
Attendance at religious services among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 58% | 33% | 10% | < 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 45% | 15% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 34% | 59% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 51% | 32% | 2% | 147 |
Frequency of prayer among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 70% | 19% | 5% | 5% | < 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 25% | 7% | 13% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 12% | 9% | 66% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 19% | 11% | 39% | 2% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 41% | 17% | 11% | 30% | < 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 16% | 13% | 46% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 3% | 5% | 5% | 88% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 15% | 5% | 70% | 2% | 147 |
Frequency of meditation among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 37% | 9% | 4% | 49% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 10% | 4% | 58% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 11% | 5% | 62% | 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 10% | 7% | 50% | 1% | 147 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 68% | 14% | 8% | 9% | < 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 23% | 11% | 12% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 38% | 21% | 11% | 29% | 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 20% | 10% | 18% | 5% | 147 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 41% | 20% | 12% | 25% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 23% | 12% | 20% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 54% | 19% | 11% | 16% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 14% | 11% | 19% | 3% | 147 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 51% | 8% | 33% | 7% | 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 14% | 43% | 8% | 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 23% | 54% | 18% | 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 23% | 40% | 12% | 7% | 147 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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% | 65% | 1% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 74% | 1% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 86% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 77% | 2% | 3% | 147 |
Frequency of reading scripture among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 50% | 16% | 11% | 22% | 1% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 19% | 11% | 35% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 7% | 6% | 81% | < 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 10% | 5% | 62% | 2% | 147 |
Belief in Heaven among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 93% | 5% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 91% | 7% | 2% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 52% | 8% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 64% | 16% | 20% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 86% | 12% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 77% | 20% | 3% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 65% | 6% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 33% | 17% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 20% | 37% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 16% | 40% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 19% | 59% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 39% | 38% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by political party
Political ideology among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 33% | 17% | 8% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 42% | 21% | 5% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 36% | 42% | 6% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 34% | 29% | 20% | 147 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among younger Millennials by political ideology
Views about size of government among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 35% | 63% | 1% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 53% | 1% | 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 49% | 2% | 3% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 47% | 8% | 10% | 147 |
Views about government aid to the poor among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 45% | 51% | 2% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 52% | 3% | < 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 61% | 2% | 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 53% | 10% | 4% | 147 |
Views about abortion among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 31% | 67% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 54% | 2% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 76% | 23% | 2% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 38% | 10% | 147 |
Views about homosexuality among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 55% | 40% | 3% | 2% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 74% | 22% | 3% | 2% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 93% | 6% | 1% | 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 76% | 14% | 6% | 3% | 147 |
Views about same-sex marriage among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 49% | 5% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 30% | 4% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 90% | 8% | 2% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 65% | 21% | 15% | 147 |
Views about environmental regulation among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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 | 47% | 48% | 1% | 3% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 65% | 1% | 1% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 72% | 2% | 2% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 54% | 2% | 8% | 147 |
Views about human evolution among younger Millennials by interpretation of scripture
% of younger Millennials 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% | 26% | 1% | 51% | 3% | 644 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 36% | 2% | 33% | 2% | 985 |
Not the word of God | 73% | 14% | 3% | 9% | 1% | 1,459 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 25% | 8% | 16% | 8% | 147 |