Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201415%10%10%64%1%6,792
200712%9%9%70%< 1%5,816
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by religious group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who read scripture…

Religious traditionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic17%9%10%63%1%1,854
Evangelical Protestant28%15%13%43%1%827
Historically Black Protestant36%15%14%35%1%175
Jewish8%8%12%70%1%231
Mainline Protestant11%12%12%64%1%1,550
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")5%7%7%81%< 1%1,614
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are ages…

Frequency of reading scripture18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
At least once a week22%35%24%19%940
Once or twice a month31%35%21%13%643
Several times a year22%36%25%17%691
Seldom/never24%36%26%14%4,368
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Frequency of reading scriptureYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
At least once a week12%16%30%29%13%1%940
Once or twice a month21%17%28%24%8%1%643
Several times a year13%16%29%29%12%1%691
Seldom/never15%17%29%30%8%1%4,368
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Frequency of reading scriptureMenWomenSample size
At least once a week49%51%959
Once or twice a month50%50%651
Several times a year53%47%704
Seldom/never52%48%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Frequency of reading scriptureWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
At least once a week41%12%2%40%5%947
Once or twice a month57%7%6%26%3%646
Several times a year62%8%7%19%4%696
Seldom/never74%5%4%14%3%4,406
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Frequency of reading scriptureImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
At least once a week38%8%54%939
Once or twice a month27%11%62%639
Several times a year23%11%67%691
Seldom/never14%11%75%4,400
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who have a household income of…

Frequency of reading scriptureLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
At least once a week56%18%15%11%825
Once or twice a month43%20%21%15%581
Several times a year33%20%26%21%635
Seldom/never28%20%29%23%3,921
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who have completed…

Frequency of reading scriptureHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
At least once a week56%25%11%8%952
Once or twice a month43%30%15%11%648
Several times a year39%32%15%14%700
Seldom/never39%30%19%13%4,427
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Frequency of reading scriptureMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
At least once a week41%9%15%8%27%955
Once or twice a month40%12%12%5%30%648
Several times a year50%8%14%6%23%702
Seldom/never48%11%11%4%26%4,426
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Frequency of reading scriptureParentsNon-parentsSample size
At least once a week31%69%956
Once or twice a month34%66%649
Several times a year29%71%703
Seldom/never30%70%4,428
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say religion is…

Frequency of reading scriptureVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
At least once a week67%26%4%2%1%959
Once or twice a month41%49%7%2%1%651
Several times a year29%56%12%3%1%704
Seldom/never15%49%26%9%1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who attend religious services…

Frequency of reading scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
At least once a week56%30%13%1%959
Once or twice a month29%53%17%< 1%651
Several times a year18%57%24%< 1%704
Seldom/never9%41%49%< 1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who pray…

Frequency of reading scriptureAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
At least once a week72%21%3%4%< 1%959
Once or twice a month49%32%8%10%1%651
Several times a year35%33%15%17%< 1%704
Seldom/never23%23%14%39%< 1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who attend prayer group…

Frequency of reading scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
At least once a week45%18%7%29%1%959
Once or twice a month12%24%13%50%1%651
Several times a year5%9%26%60%< 1%704
Seldom/never3%3%4%90%< 1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who meditate…

Frequency of reading scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
At least once a week63%9%3%23%2%959
Once or twice a month37%18%5%39%1%651
Several times a year29%14%12%43%2%704
Seldom/never22%11%5%61%1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Frequency of reading scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
At least once a week68%15%9%8%1%959
Once or twice a month51%25%14%9%1%651
Several times a year44%20%20%16%< 1%704
Seldom/never35%20%16%28%1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Frequency of reading scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
At least once a week61%13%9%16%2%959
Once or twice a month48%20%15%16%1%651
Several times a year43%19%21%17%1%704
Seldom/never36%17%18%28%1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Frequency of reading scriptureReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
At least once a week42%12%35%10%2%959
Once or twice a month21%16%49%12%2%651
Several times a year12%17%56%13%2%704
Seldom/never8%14%64%12%2%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say…

Frequency of reading scriptureThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
At least once a week29%67%2%2%959
Once or twice a month26%72%2%< 1%651
Several times a year22%76%1%1%704
Seldom/never23%75%1%1%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say the holy scripture is…

Frequency of reading scriptureWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
At least once a week40%30%3%21%6%959
Once or twice a month20%34%2%34%10%651
Several times a year11%35%1%46%7%704
Seldom/never9%25%1%57%9%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in heaven

Frequency of reading scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
At least once a week84%11%6%959
Once or twice a month76%16%7%651
Several times a year70%22%8%704
Seldom/never66%24%9%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in hell

Frequency of reading scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
At least once a week60%31%9%959
Once or twice a month58%34%8%651
Several times a year49%41%10%704
Seldom/never45%45%10%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Frequency of reading scriptureRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
At least once a week29%23%48%959
Once or twice a month36%15%49%651
Several times a year29%16%54%704
Seldom/never33%19%47%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Frequency of reading scriptureConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
At least once a week34%32%27%7%959
Once or twice a month28%40%29%4%651
Several times a year26%42%29%3%704
Seldom/never24%40%30%5%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who would rather have…

Frequency of reading scriptureSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
At least once a week37%58%2%3%959
Once or twice a month41%53%4%3%651
Several times a year50%45%3%2%704
Seldom/never52%42%3%3%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say government aid to the poor…

Frequency of reading scriptureDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
At least once a week39%55%4%3%959
Once or twice a month37%59%2%2%651
Several times a year42%55%2%1%704
Seldom/never44%51%3%2%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say abortion should be…

Frequency of reading scriptureLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
At least once a week45%50%5%959
Once or twice a month55%42%3%651
Several times a year68%29%3%704
Seldom/never69%27%4%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say homosexuality…

Frequency of reading scriptureShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
At least once a week62%31%4%3%959
Once or twice a month75%18%3%4%651
Several times a year78%16%4%2%704
Seldom/never82%13%3%2%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …same-sex marriage

Frequency of reading scriptureStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
At least once a week50%41%10%959
Once or twice a month64%26%10%651
Several times a year68%23%9%704
Seldom/never74%20%6%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say…

Frequency of reading scriptureStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
At least once a week37%56%2%5%959
Once or twice a month33%60%3%4%651
Several times a year32%64%2%1%704
Seldom/never33%63%2%2%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by frequency of reading scripture

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say humans…

Frequency of reading scriptureEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
At least once a week27%31%4%33%5%959
Once or twice a month38%30%6%23%3%651
Several times a year42%30%6%18%4%704
Seldom/never53%23%5%16%3%4,440
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.