Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Newsletters Press Donate My Account Contacted By Us?

Religious Landscape Study

Religious Landscape Study

ReligionsGeographyTopics & QuestionsUser Guide

Religious composition of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

Christian 88%
Evangelical Protestant 28%
Baptist Family (Evangelical Trad.) 9%
Southern Baptist Convention 5%
Independent Baptist (Evangelical Trad.) 3%
Missionary Baptist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Conservative Baptist Association of America< 1%
Free Will Baptist< 1%
General Association of Regular Baptist Churches< 1%
Other Baptist (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Methodist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Family (Evangelical Trad.) 7%
Nondenominational evangelical 3%
Nondenominational fundamentalist< 1%
Nondenominational charismatic 1%
Nondenominational Christian (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Interdenominational (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Community Church (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Other Nondenominational (Evangelical Trad.) 2%
Lutheran Family (Evangelical Trad.) 2%
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 2%
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod< 1%
Other Lutheran (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Presbyterian Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Presbyterian Church in America 1%
Other Presbyterian (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Pentecostal Family (Evangelical Trad.) 3%
Assemblies of God 1%
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)< 1%
Foursquare Church< 1%
Pentecostal Church of God< 1%
Pentecostal Holiness Church< 1%
Calvary Chapel< 1%
Apostolic Pentecostal (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Pentecostal (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Church of God of the Apostolic Faith< 1%
Other Pentecostal (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Episcopalian/Anglican Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Restorationist Family (Evangelical Trad.) 2%
Churches of Christ 2%
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ< 1%
Other Restorationist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Congregationalist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference< 1%
Other Congregationalist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Holiness Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Church of the Nazarene< 1%
Wesleyan Church< 1%
Free Methodist Church< 1%
Christian and Missionary Alliance< 1%
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)< 1%
Other Holiness (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Reformed Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Christian Reformed Church< 1%
Other Reformed (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Adventist Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Seventh-day Adventist 1%
Other Adventist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Anabaptist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Pietist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Other evangelical/fundamentalist family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Nonspecific Protestant Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Mainline Protestant 20%
Baptist Family (Mainline Trad.) 2%
American Baptist Churches USA 2%
Other Baptist (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Methodist Family (Mainline Trad.) 6%
United Methodist Church 6%
Other Methodist (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Interdenominational (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Other Nondenominational (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Lutheran Family (Mainline Trad.) 3%
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2%
Other Lutheran (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Presbyterian Family (Mainline Trad.) 2%
Presbyterian Church (USA) 1%
Other Presbyterian (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Episcopalian/Anglican Family (Mainline Trad.) 2%
Episcopal Church 1%
Anglican Church< 1%
Other Episcopalian/Anglican (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Restorationist Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Disciples of Christ< 1%
Other Restorationist (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Congregationalist Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
United Church of Christ 1%
Other Congregationalist (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Reformed Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Reformed Church in America< 1%
Other Reformed (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Anabaptist Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Friends Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Nonspecific Protestant Family (Mainline Trad.) 2%
Historically Black Protestant 6%
Baptist Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.) 3%
National Baptist Convention 1%
Progressive Baptist Convention< 1%
Independent Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Missionary Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Other Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.) 1%
Methodist Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
African Methodist Episcopal Church< 1%
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church< 1%
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church< 1%
Other Methodist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Pentecostal Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.) 1%
Church of God in Christ 1%
Apostolic Pentecostal (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
United Pentecostal Church International< 1%
Other Pentecostal (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Holiness Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Nonspecific Protestant Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Catholic 30%
Mormon 4%
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4%
Other Mormon< 1%
Orthodox Christian 1%
Greek Orthodox< 1%
Russian Orthodox< 1%
Orthodox Church in America< 1%
Other Orthodox Christian< 1%
Jehovah's Witness 1%
Other Christian< 1%
Metaphysical Family< 1%
Spiritualist< 1%
Unity Church< 1%
Other Metaphysical Christian ("Other Christian" Trad.)< 1%
Others in the "Other Christian" Tradition< 1%
Non-Christian Faiths 3%
Jewish 1%
Muslim 1%
Buddhist< 1%
Hindu< 1%
Other World Religions< 1%
Other Faiths< 1%
Unitarians and other liberal faiths in the "Other Faiths" Tradition< 1%
Unitarian< 1%
Humanist< 1%
Deist< 1%
Spiritual but not religious< 1%
Eclectic, a bit of everything, "I have my own beliefs"< 1%
Other in the "Unitarian and other liberal faiths" family< 1%
New Age< 1%
Pagan or Wiccan< 1%
Other in the New Age family< 1%
Native American Religions< 1%
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") 8%
Atheist< 1%
Agnostic< 1%
Nothing in particular 8%
Nothing in particular (religion not important) 2%
Nothing in particular (religion important) 6%
Don't know < 1%

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who are ages…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201424%34%25%17%8,347
200721%40%23%15%8,363
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.

Compare: age group by belief in heavenage group by interpretation of scripture

Generational cohort among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who are…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201416%14%28%30%11%1%8,347
2007< 1%16%31%34%15%3%8,363
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.

Compare: generational group by belief in heavengenerational group by interpretation of scripture

Gender composition among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who are…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201446%54%8,489
200745%55%8,549
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.

Compare: gender by belief in heavengender by interpretation of scripture

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who identify as…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201471%10%3%13%4%8,408
200777%8%2%10%2%8,488
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.

Compare: race/ethnicity by belief in heavenrace/ethnicity by interpretation of scripture

Immigrant status among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who are…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
201412%10%78%8,407
20079%9%82%8,477
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.

Compare: immigrant status by belief in heavenimmigrant status by interpretation of scripture

Income distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who have a household income of…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201429%21%30%20%7,503
200725%21%34%19%7,290
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.

Compare: household income by belief in heavenhousehold income by interpretation of scripture

Educational distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who have completed…

Chart
Table
Share
Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201437%34%18%11%8,461
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.

Compare: educational group by belief in heaveneducational group by interpretation of scripture

Marital status among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who are…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201451%6%12%6%26%8,464
200758%6%10%7%20%8,516
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.

Compare: marital status by belief in heavenmarital status by interpretation of scripture

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who are…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201432%68%8,457
200738%62%8,524
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.

Compare: parental status by belief in heavenparental status by interpretation of scripture

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say they…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
201478%20%2%< 1%< 1%< 1%8,489
200784%14%1%< 1%< 1%< 1%8,549
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.

Compare: belief in God by belief in heavenbelief in God by interpretation of scripture

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say religion is…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201463%31%5%1%< 1%8,489
200761%33%5%1%< 1%8,549
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.

Compare: importance of religion by belief in heavenimportance of religion by interpretation of scripture

Attendance at religious services among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who attend religious services…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201442%41%17%< 1%8,489
200744%40%16%< 1%8,549
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.

Compare: religious attendance by belief in heavenreligious attendance by interpretation of scripture

Frequency of prayer among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who pray…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201464%22%6%8%< 1%8,489
200763%23%6%8%1%8,549
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.

Compare: frequency of prayer by belief in heavenfrequency of prayer by interpretation of scripture

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who attend prayer group…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201424%12%11%52%< 1%8,489
200721%10%10%58%< 1%8,549
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.

Compare: attendance at prayer groups by belief in heavenattendance at prayer groups by interpretation of scripture

Frequency of meditation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who meditate…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201438%8%4%48%1%8,489
200735%8%4%51%1%8,549
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.

Compare: frequency of meditation by belief in heavenfrequency of meditation by interpretation of scripture

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201460%18%10%11%1%8,489
200752%18%15%14%2%8,549
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.

Compare: frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing by belief in heavenfrequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing by interpretation of scripture

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201441%18%14%25%1%8,489
200735%16%17%29%3%8,549
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.

Compare: frequency feeling a sense of wonder about the universe by belief in heavenfrequency feeling a sense of wonder about the universe by interpretation of scripture

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201438%9%46%5%2%8,489
200731%7%56%4%2%8,549
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.

Compare: sources of guidance on right and wrong by belief in heavensources of guidance on right and wrong by interpretation of scripture

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say…

Chart
Table
Share
Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201436%62%1%< 1%8,489
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.

Compare: belief in existence of standards for right and wrong by belief in heavenbelief in existence of standards for right and wrong by interpretation of scripture

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who read scripture…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201437%15%11%37%< 1%8,489
200733%13%11%42%< 1%8,549
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.

Compare: frequency of reading scripture by belief in heavenfrequency of reading scripture by interpretation of scripture

Belief in Hell among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who …in hell

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201476%19%5%8,489
200774%19%7%8,549
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.

Compare: belief in hell by belief in heavenbelief in hell by interpretation of scripture

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who identify as…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201447%15%38%8,489
200742%15%43%8,549
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.

Compare: political party by belief in heavenpolitical party by interpretation of scripture

Political ideology among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who are…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201441%38%17%4%8,489
200738%42%15%5%8,549
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.

Compare: political ideology by belief in heavenpolitical ideology by interpretation of scripture

Views about size of government among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who would rather have…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201459%37%2%2%8,489
200747%45%3%5%8,549
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.

Compare: views about size of government by belief in heavenviews about size of government by interpretation of scripture

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say government aid to the poor…

Chart
Table
Share
Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201451%45%3%1%8,489
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.

Compare: views about government aid to the poor by belief in heavenviews about government aid to the poor by interpretation of scripture

Views about abortion among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say abortion should be…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201448%49%2%8,489
200751%45%4%8,549
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.

Compare: views about abortion by belief in heavenviews about abortion by interpretation of scripture

Views about homosexuality among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say homosexuality…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201463%30%4%3%8,489
200752%38%5%4%8,549
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.

Compare: views about homosexuality by belief in heavenviews about homosexuality by interpretation of scripture

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who …same-sex marriage

Chart
Table
Share
Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201452%41%7%8,489
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.

Compare: views about same-sex marriage by belief in heavenviews about same-sex marriage by interpretation of scripture

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say…

Chart
Trends
Table
Share
Survey yearStricter 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
201441%56%2%1%8,489
200730%65%2%3%8,549
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.

Compare: views about environmental protection by belief in heavenviews about environmental protection by interpretation of scripture

Views about human evolution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who believe in Heaven who say humans…

Chart
Table
Share
Survey yearEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
201420%39%3%36%3%8,489
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.

Compare: views about human evolution by belief in heavenviews about human evolution by interpretation of scripture

Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center About Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy Feedback Careers