Frequency of reading scripture among whites
% of whites who read scripture…
Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 32% | 9% | 8% | 50% | 1% | 24,900 |
2007 | 31% | 10% | 8% | 50% | 1% | 27,309 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Frequency of reading scripture among whites by religious group
% of whites who read scripture…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 20% | 15% | 6% | 57% | 1% | 141 |
Catholic | 21% | 9% | 11% | 59% | 1% | 4,827 |
Evangelical Protestant | 61% | 12% | 7% | 19% | 1% | 6,633 |
Jewish | 13% | 8% | 10% | 68% | 1% | 782 |
Mainline Protestant | 28% | 13% | 12% | 46% | 1% | 5,322 |
Mormon | 76% | 8% | 3% | 12% | 1% | 575 |
Orthodox Christian | 24% | 11% | 14% | 51% | 1% | 153 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 5% | 4% | 5% | 85% | < 1% | 5,490 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: religious group among whites by frequency of reading scripture
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who are ages…
Frequency of reading scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 14% | 29% | 30% | 27% | 7,806 |
Once or twice a month | 21% | 32% | 27% | 20% | 2,256 |
Several times a year | 16% | 35% | 30% | 19% | 2,006 |
Seldom/never | 22% | 32% | 27% | 19% | 12,247 |
Don't know | 8% | 24% | 20% | 48% | 155 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by age group
Generational cohort among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who are…
Frequency of reading scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 8% | 10% | 25% | 36% | 19% | 2% | 7,806 |
Once or twice a month | 14% | 12% | 27% | 33% | 12% | 1% | 2,256 |
Several times a year | 9% | 12% | 28% | 35% | 13% | 1% | 2,006 |
Seldom/never | 13% | 14% | 26% | 33% | 12% | 1% | 12,247 |
Don't know | 6% | 8% | 19% | 29% | 33% | 5% | 155 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by generational group
Gender composition among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who are…
Frequency of reading scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 42% | 58% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 51% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 50% | 50% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 53% | 47% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 43% | 57% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by gender
Immigrant status among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who are…
Frequency of reading scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 3% | 6% | 91% | 7,903 |
Once or twice a month | 4% | 7% | 89% | 2,286 |
Several times a year | 5% | 7% | 88% | 2,018 |
Seldom/never | 5% | 8% | 87% | 12,315 |
Don't know | 6% | 6% | 89% | 173 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by immigrant status
Income distribution among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who have a household income of…
Frequency of reading scripture | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 31% | 21% | 31% | 17% | 6,868 |
Once or twice a month | 30% | 20% | 30% | 20% | 2,033 |
Several times a year | 26% | 19% | 32% | 24% | 1,821 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 19% | 30% | 26% | 10,962 |
Don't know | 44% | 16% | 30% | 10% | 103 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by household income
Educational distribution among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who have completed…
Frequency of reading scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 39% | 34% | 17% | 10% | 7,931 |
Once or twice a month | 37% | 33% | 18% | 12% | 2,297 |
Several times a year | 33% | 34% | 19% | 15% | 2,025 |
Seldom/never | 36% | 31% | 20% | 13% | 12,380 |
Don't know | 49% | 28% | 15% | 8% | 170 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by educational group
Marital status among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who are…
Frequency of reading scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 61% | 3% | 12% | 10% | 14% | 7,924 |
Once or twice a month | 52% | 6% | 13% | 7% | 21% | 2,296 |
Several times a year | 54% | 7% | 13% | 7% | 19% | 2,032 |
Seldom/never | 50% | 9% | 12% | 6% | 24% | 12,380 |
Don't know | 50% | 4% | 19% | 18% | 10% | 172 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who are…
Frequency of reading scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 28% | 72% | 7,934 |
Once or twice a month | 27% | 73% | 2,295 |
Several times a year | 27% | 73% | 2,034 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 75% | 12,393 |
Don't know | 16% | 84% | 176 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say they…
Frequency of reading 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 92% | 6% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 1% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 74% | 18% | 3% | < 1% | 3% | 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 65% | 23% | 4% | 1% | 5% | 2% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 38% | 28% | 9% | 1% | 20% | 4% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 74% | 9% | 2% | 6% | 1% | 8% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say religion is…
Frequency of reading scripture | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 89% | 8% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 63% | 29% | 5% | 3% | < 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 47% | 40% | 8% | 5% | < 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 21% | 33% | 21% | 23% | 1% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 65% | 16% | 1% | 4% | 13% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who attend religious services…
Frequency of reading scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 72% | 19% | 8% | 1% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 36% | 47% | 17% | < 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 23% | 54% | 23% | < 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 10% | 34% | 55% | < 1% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 39% | 27% | 14% | 20% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who pray…
Frequency of reading scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 91% | 7% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 64% | 24% | 4% | 7% | 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 49% | 27% | 8% | 14% | 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 18% | 9% | 47% | 1% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 57% | 10% | 1% | 4% | 28% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who attend prayer group…
Frequency of reading scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 56% | 13% | 9% | 22% | 1% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 17% | 19% | 15% | 48% | < 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 7% | 8% | 23% | 63% | < 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 3% | 2% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 25% | 9% | 6% | 37% | 24% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who meditate…
Frequency of reading scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 60% | 6% | 2% | 30% | 2% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 36% | 13% | 4% | 45% | 2% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 32% | 11% | 10% | 46% | 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 22% | 8% | 5% | 64% | 1% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 33% | 4% | 3% | 29% | 30% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Frequency of reading scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 85% | 9% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 61% | 21% | 9% | 8% | 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 53% | 20% | 15% | 11% | 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 38% | 18% | 13% | 29% | 2% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 61% | 6% | 2% | 8% | 23% | 179 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Frequency of reading scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 54% | 16% | 9% | 20% | 2% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 45% | 19% | 12% | 22% | 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 43% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 39% | 17% | 15% | 29% | 1% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 41% | 8% | 8% | 19% | 24% | 179 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Frequency of reading scripture | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 66% | 5% | 24% | 3% | 3% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 36% | 12% | 43% | 6% | 3% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 24% | 13% | 53% | 7% | 2% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 11% | 14% | 61% | 13% | 2% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 35% | 7% | 39% | 4% | 15% | 179 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say…
Frequency of reading 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 55% | 43% | 2% | 1% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 37% | 61% | 1% | 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 32% | 66% | 1% | 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 73% | 1% | 1% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 38% | 54% | 4% | 4% | 179 |
Interpreting scripture among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say the holy scripture is…
Frequency of reading scripture | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 52% | 31% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 29% | 38% | 3% | 21% | 8% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 19% | 38% | 2% | 32% | 8% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 10% | 23% | 1% | 58% | 7% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 37% | 17% | 6% | 13% | 27% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who …in heaven
Frequency of reading scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 86% | 7% | 7% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 83% | 12% | 5% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 76% | 16% | 7% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 56% | 36% | 8% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 68% | 11% | 21% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who …in hell
Frequency of reading scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 77% | 16% | 8% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 66% | 26% | 8% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 60% | 32% | 8% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 39% | 52% | 8% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 56% | 27% | 18% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who identify as…
Frequency of reading scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 62% | 15% | 22% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 51% | 13% | 36% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 46% | 13% | 41% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 36% | 17% | 47% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 35% | 32% | 33% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by political party
Political ideology among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who are…
Frequency of reading scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 59% | 25% | 11% | 5% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 44% | 35% | 17% | 4% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 37% | 38% | 22% | 4% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 26% | 37% | 31% | 6% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 36% | 25% | 14% | 25% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by political ideology
Views about size of government among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who would rather have…
Frequency of reading scripture | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 71% | 22% | 3% | 4% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 64% | 29% | 3% | 4% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 62% | 32% | 3% | 2% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 56% | 37% | 3% | 4% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 50% | 26% | 8% | 16% | 179 |
Views about government aid to the poor among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say government aid to the poor…
Frequency of reading scripture | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 58% | 36% | 4% | 2% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 46% | 3% | 1% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 48% | 48% | 3% | 1% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 44% | 51% | 3% | 2% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 44% | 43% | 5% | 8% | 179 |
Views about abortion among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say abortion should be…
Frequency of reading scripture | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 28% | 68% | 4% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 50% | 47% | 3% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 59% | 36% | 4% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 71% | 25% | 4% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 42% | 40% | 19% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say homosexuality…
Frequency of reading scripture | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 34% | 58% | 4% | 4% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 61% | 31% | 4% | 3% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 68% | 25% | 4% | 3% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 79% | 15% | 3% | 2% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 35% | 44% | 9% | 11% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who …same-sex marriage
Frequency of reading scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 26% | 67% | 7% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 52% | 40% | 8% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 58% | 34% | 8% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 72% | 21% | 7% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 35% | 49% | 16% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say…
Frequency of reading 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 49% | 44% | 3% | 3% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 44% | 52% | 3% | 2% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 38% | 59% | 2% | 2% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 32% | 63% | 2% | 2% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 37% | 38% | 8% | 16% | 179 |
Views about human evolution among whites by frequency of reading scripture
% of whites who say humans…
Frequency of reading 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 9% | 25% | 3% | 58% | 6% | 7,962 |
Once or twice a month | 23% | 33% | 5% | 35% | 4% | 2,302 |
Several times a year | 32% | 32% | 5% | 27% | 3% | 2,037 |
Seldom/never | 54% | 21% | 4% | 17% | 3% | 12,420 |
Don't know | 17% | 22% | 12% | 35% | 14% | 179 |
Switch Display To: frequency of reading scripture among whites by views about human evolution