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 | 18% | 27% | 2% | 46% | 7% | 21,598 |
2007 | 18% | 28% | 2% | 42% | 10% | 17,391 |
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 who say homosexuality should be accepted by religious group
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 4% | 10% | 1% | 75% | 10% | 235 |
Catholic | 21% | 36% | 2% | 33% | 8% | 4,929 |
Evangelical Protestant | 36% | 42% | 3% | 14% | 6% | 2,912 |
Hindu | 7% | 18% | 1% | 67% | 8% | 126 |
Historically Black Protestant | 53% | 28% | 2% | 12% | 5% | 944 |
Jewish | 4% | 22% | < 1% | 66% | 7% | 726 |
Mainline Protestant | 15% | 38% | 2% | 36% | 10% | 4,042 |
Mormon | 29% | 50% | 2% | 15% | 3% | 225 |
Muslim | 29% | 39% | 5% | 20% | 7% | 111 |
Orthodox Christian | 13% | 37% | 2% | 35% | 12% | 116 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 6% | 10% | < 1% | 78% | 6% | 6,338 |
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 who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 21% | 37% | 28% | 14% | 3,178 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 27% | 33% | 24% | 15% | 5,789 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 26% | 35% | 21% | 319 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 35% | 22% | 12% | 10,384 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 34% | 25% | 18% | 1,595 |
Generational cohort among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 13% | 14% | 31% | 32% | 9% | 1% | 3,178 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 14% | 27% | 29% | 10% | 1% | 5,789 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 12% | 10% | 23% | 40% | 15% | 1% | 319 |
Not the word of God | 20% | 20% | 27% | 26% | 7% | 1% | 10,384 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 18% | 27% | 30% | 12% | 1% | 1,595 |
Gender composition among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 36% | 64% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 60% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 68% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 53% | 47% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 56% | 1,665 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 23% | 3% | 27% | 3% | 3,191 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 10% | 3% | 14% | 4% | 5,819 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 55% | 11% | 2% | 26% | 5% | 328 |
Not the word of God | 73% | 5% | 5% | 12% | 4% | 10,391 |
Other/don't know | 69% | 8% | 5% | 14% | 5% | 1,618 |
Immigrant status among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 23% | 9% | 68% | 3,155 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 12% | 12% | 77% | 5,811 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 7% | 68% | 329 |
Not the word of God | 13% | 13% | 73% | 10,436 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 11% | 75% | 1,627 |
Income distribution among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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% | 21% | 17% | 9% | 2,810 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 20% | 29% | 21% | 5,215 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 20% | 22% | 11% | 261 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 19% | 29% | 26% | 9,563 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 20% | 25% | 20% | 1,344 |
Educational distribution among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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% | 29% | 8% | 4% | 3,197 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 33% | 19% | 12% | 5,851 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 31% | 11% | 8% | 329 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 32% | 23% | 17% | 10,484 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 35% | 17% | 13% | 1,645 |
Marital status among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 9% | 17% | 7% | 25% | 3,204 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 7% | 12% | 5% | 28% | 5,848 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 7% | 15% | 11% | 23% | 330 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 11% | 11% | 3% | 32% | 10,489 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 10% | 13% | 7% | 25% | 1,644 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 33% | 67% | 3,202 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 69% | 5,848 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 27% | 73% | 330 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 74% | 10,498 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 71% | 1,654 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 83% | 15% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 24% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 81% | 14% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 29% | 13% | < 1% | 28% | 5% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 27% | 7% | 2% | 5% | 6% | 1,665 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 77% | 19% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 55% | 37% | 7% | 2% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 18% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 30% | 25% | 31% | 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 35% | 15% | 7% | 2% | 1,665 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 46% | 37% | 16% | < 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 45% | 20% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 40% | 18% | 1% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 33% | 59% | < 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 42% | 37% | 2% | 1,665 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 73% | 16% | 4% | 7% | < 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 24% | 7% | 11% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 79% | 9% | 4% | 5% | 3% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 14% | 8% | 55% | < 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 19% | 8% | 24% | 3% | 1,665 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 33% | 15% | 10% | 41% | < 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 17% | 12% | 12% | 60% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 27% | 9% | 11% | 51% | 2% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 4% | 4% | 88% | < 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 8% | 8% | 71% | 2% | 1,665 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 47% | 8% | 3% | 40% | 2% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 9% | 5% | 51% | 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 4% | 5% | 38% | 4% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 11% | 6% | 54% | 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 10% | 5% | 46% | 2% | 1,665 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 69% | 13% | 8% | 9% | 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 20% | 12% | 13% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 64% | 12% | 11% | 8% | 4% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 18% | 12% | 27% | 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 15% | 12% | 17% | 4% | 1,665 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 43% | 15% | 12% | 28% | 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 18% | 15% | 26% | 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 12% | 11% | 31% | 6% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 49% | 17% | 14% | 20% | 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 15% | 13% | 24% | 2% | 1,665 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 45% | 6% | 40% | 7% | 2% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 11% | 52% | 7% | 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 5% | 42% | 5% | 10% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 20% | 57% | 17% | 2% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 14% | 56% | 10% | 6% | 1,665 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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% | 66% | 1% | 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 70% | 1% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 27% | 65% | 4% | 4% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 80% | 1% | 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 72% | 3% | 2% | 1,665 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 49% | 14% | 8% | 28% | 1% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 15% | 12% | 44% | < 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 13% | 8% | 33% | 1% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 6% | 8% | 79% | < 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 12% | 10% | 56% | 2% | 1,665 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 92% | 5% | 3% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 9% | 9% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 52% | 9% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 18% | 20% | 1,665 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 78% | 16% | 6% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 68% | 25% | 6% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 18% | 16% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 68% | 7% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 38% | 21% | 1,665 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 31% | 20% | 49% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 15% | 45% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 33% | 38% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 16% | 61% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 27% | 48% | 1,665 |
Political ideology among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 40% | 33% | 20% | 7% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 44% | 22% | 4% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 32% | 16% | 16% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 38% | 43% | 5% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 39% | 28% | 11% | 1,665 |
Views about size of government among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 34% | 62% | 2% | 3% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 43% | 2% | 2% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 47% | 7% | 6% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 47% | 3% | 3% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 39% | 9% | 9% | 1,665 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 42% | 53% | 3% | 2% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 51% | 3% | 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 47% | 8% | 6% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 63% | 3% | 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 51% | 9% | 5% | 1,665 |
Views about abortion among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 47% | 50% | 4% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 60% | 38% | 2% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 47% | 10% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 82% | 15% | 2% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 68% | 22% | 10% | 1,665 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 60% | 32% | 8% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 76% | 19% | 5% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 63% | 19% | 18% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 91% | 6% | 3% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 80% | 11% | 9% | 1,665 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 43% | 52% | 1% | 3% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 63% | 2% | 1% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 50% | 4% | 10% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 74% | 2% | 2% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 61% | 5% | 6% | 1,665 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say homosexuality should be accepted by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say homosexuality should be accepted 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 | 18% | 29% | 2% | 47% | 3% | 3,211 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 42% | 3% | 28% | 2% | 5,865 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 29% | 8% | 34% | 15% | 333 |
Not the word of God | 69% | 16% | 4% | 10% | 1% | 10,524 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 27% | 13% | 16% | 8% | 1,665 |