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 | 39% | 26% | 2% | 26% | 6% | 2,535 |
2007 | 42% | 25% | 3% | 21% | 8% | 2,266 |
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 in Texas by religious group
% of adults in Texas 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 | 37% | 32% | 3% | 21% | 7% | 540 |
Evangelical Protestant | 59% | 27% | 3% | 8% | 3% | 821 |
Historically Black Protestant | 60% | 21% | < 1% | 9% | 9% | 150 |
Mainline Protestant | 26% | 36% | 4% | 25% | 9% | 391 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 13% | 13% | < 1% | 67% | 8% | 423 |
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 adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 16% | 35% | 30% | 19% | 905 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 38% | 19% | 13% | 694 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 37% | 20% | 10% | 652 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 39% | 28% | 13% | 160 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by age group
Generational cohort among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 14% | 29% | 34% | 13% | 2% | 905 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 16% | 33% | 22% | 8% | 1% | 694 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 7% | < 1% | 652 |
Other/don't know | 10% | 17% | 32% | 31% | 10% | 1% | 160 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by generational group
Gender composition among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 57% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 52% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 41% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 55% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 16% | 2% | 37% | 2% | 926 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 11% | 2% | 34% | 4% | 699 |
Not the word of God | 54% | 6% | 3% | 31% | 5% | 652 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 16% | 2% | 27% | 4% | 162 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 24% | 9% | 66% | 921 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 14% | 67% | 698 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 13% | 69% | 654 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 9% | 69% | 162 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by immigrant status
Income distribution among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 49% | 17% | 21% | 12% | 795 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 22% | 26% | 22% | 617 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 18% | 28% | 22% | 608 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 19% | 23% | 25% | 136 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by household income
Educational distribution among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 28% | 11% | 5% | 928 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 34% | 20% | 10% | 700 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 33% | 20% | 13% | 661 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 38% | 18% | 14% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by educational group
Marital status among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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% | 16% | 9% | 17% | 930 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 6% | 12% | 4% | 27% | 702 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 9% | 14% | 3% | 30% | 660 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 16% | 12% | 7% | 20% | 165 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 35% | 65% | 930 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 63% | 703 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 66% | 660 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 69% | 163 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 85% | 14% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 78% | 19% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 27% | 12% | 1% | 23% | 3% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 68% | 19% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 6% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 88% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 65% | 30% | 3% | 2% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 34% | 18% | 26% | 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 24% | 12% | 3% | 1% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 62% | 26% | 12% | < 1% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 40% | 17% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 36% | 51% | 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 36% | 32% | 1% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 81% | 12% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 66% | 18% | 5% | 10% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 16% | 8% | 44% | 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 14% | 6% | 18% | 2% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 50% | 13% | 7% | 30% | 1% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 15% | 12% | 48% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 6% | 6% | 80% | 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 14% | 8% | 57% | 1% | 167 |
Frequency of meditation among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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% | 5% | 3% | 33% | 3% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 9% | 4% | 44% | 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 35% | 9% | 6% | 49% | 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 11% | 4% | 43% | 2% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 76% | 8% | 7% | 7% | 2% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 18% | 11% | 8% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 14% | 11% | 27% | 2% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 18% | 10% | 13% | 5% | 167 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 45% | 15% | 10% | 26% | 3% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 20% | 13% | 21% | 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 52% | 16% | 12% | 19% | 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 13% | 8% | 21% | 3% | 167 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 63% | 4% | 27% | 5% | 2% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 9% | 40% | 8% | 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 18% | 55% | 18% | 3% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 12% | 47% | 7% | 4% | 167 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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% | 54% | 2% | 2% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 62% | 1% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 64% | 5% | 2% | 167 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 65% | 11% | 4% | 19% | 1% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 15% | 14% | 29% | < 1% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 12% | 7% | 9% | 71% | < 1% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 15% | 12% | 41% | 3% | 167 |
Belief in Heaven among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 45% | 11% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 11% | 26% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 81% | 14% | 5% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 77% | 19% | 4% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 61% | 9% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 24% | 28% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 22% | 35% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 15% | 38% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 22% | 48% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 30% | 43% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by political party
Political ideology among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 51% | 22% | 17% | 9% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 37% | 16% | 4% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 41% | 33% | 5% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 35% | 25% | 15% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by political ideology
Views about size of government among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 43% | 51% | 3% | 3% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 45% | 2% | 2% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 52% | 40% | 4% | 4% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 42% | 13% | 9% | 167 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 49% | 43% | 4% | 3% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 45% | 3% | 2% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 54% | 3% | 2% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 48% | 9% | 5% | 167 |
Views about abortion among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 28% | 68% | 5% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 54% | 2% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 72% | 24% | 4% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 36% | 12% | 167 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among adults in Texas by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 36% | 57% | 4% | 4% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 61% | 32% | 3% | 3% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 82% | 12% | 3% | 2% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 58% | 24% | 9% | 9% | 167 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 22% | 69% | 9% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 43% | 7% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 77% | 17% | 6% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 28% | 13% | 167 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 46% | 47% | 2% | 4% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 60% | 2% | 3% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 66% | 2% | 3% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 58% | 5% | 4% | 167 |
Views about human evolution among adults in Texas by interpretation of scripture
% of adults in Texas 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 | 11% | 23% | 3% | 57% | 6% | 935 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 21% | 37% | 4% | 36% | 2% | 704 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 20% | 4% | 14% | 2% | 663 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 28% | 8% | 33% | 9% | 167 |