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 | 24% | 30% | 2% | 37% | 6% | 8,723 |
2007 | 26% | 32% | 3% | 32% | 8% | 9,175 |
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 with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by religious group
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who say the holy scripture is…
Religious tradition | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 14% | 44% | 2% | 32% | 7% | 1,720 |
Evangelical Protestant | 52% | 33% | 4% | 8% | 3% | 2,200 |
Historically Black Protestant | 44% | 36% | 2% | 11% | 7% | 379 |
Jewish | 5% | 24% | 1% | 58% | 12% | 190 |
Mainline Protestant | 19% | 37% | 2% | 32% | 9% | 1,578 |
Mormon | 24% | 58% | 9% | 8% | 1% | 203 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 5% | 10% | < 1% | 80% | 5% | 1,920 |
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 with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 12% | 37% | 35% | 16% | 1,996 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 39% | 27% | 14% | 2,614 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 12% | 38% | 31% | 19% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 38% | 25% | 12% | 3,309 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 43% | 23% | 18% | 527 |
Generational cohort among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 9% | 32% | 40% | 10% | 1% | 1,996 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 13% | 14% | 31% | 33% | 8% | < 1% | 2,614 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 3% | 15% | 33% | 35% | 14% | 1% | 197 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 18% | 29% | 29% | 7% | < 1% | 3,309 |
Other/don't know | 6% | 17% | 35% | 30% | 11% | 1% | 527 |
Gender composition among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 49% | 51% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 49% | 51% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 51% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 58% | 42% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 49% | 536 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 74% | 13% | 3% | 7% | 3% | 2,007 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 77% | 9% | 3% | 9% | 3% | 2,607 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 72% | 8% | 4% | 9% | 7% | 200 |
Not the word of God | 78% | 5% | 5% | 10% | 3% | 3,291 |
Other/don't know | 72% | 11% | 2% | 10% | 5% | 521 |
Immigrant status among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 7% | 8% | 85% | 2,009 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 9% | 9% | 83% | 2,618 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 8% | 7% | 85% | 204 |
Not the word of God | 11% | 12% | 77% | 3,310 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 8% | 83% | 534 |
Educational distribution among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 37% | 36% | 19% | 9% | 2,018 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 39% | 22% | 13% | 2,626 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 29% | 41% | 21% | 10% | 204 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 33% | 27% | 17% | 3,327 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 43% | 20% | 15% | 534 |
Marital status among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 72% | 2% | 9% | 4% | 13% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 65% | 4% | 9% | 3% | 20% | 2,629 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 73% | 2% | 11% | 3% | 11% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 10% | 10% | 2% | 26% | 3,326 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 9% | 9% | 5% | 17% | 533 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 35% | 65% | 2,019 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 35% | 65% | 2,625 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 63% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 74% | 3,325 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 66% | 534 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 94% | 5% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 79% | 19% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 93% | 4% | < 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 29% | 12% | < 1% | 28% | 5% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 24% | 6% | 1% | 4% | 5% | 536 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 87% | 11% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 31% | 5% | 1% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 88% | 8% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 30% | 26% | 30% | 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 33% | 14% | 8% | 1% | 536 |
Attendance at religious services among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 69% | 23% | 8% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 40% | 14% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 25% | 8% | 1% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 34% | 57% | < 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 45% | 30% | 1% | 536 |
Frequency of prayer among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 84% | 10% | 2% | 3% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 22% | 6% | 7% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 85% | 8% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 15% | 8% | 56% | < 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 19% | 8% | 20% | 1% | 536 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 51% | 14% | 10% | 25% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 12% | 12% | 50% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 9% | 11% | 31% | 1% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 4% | 5% | 87% | < 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 9% | 8% | 66% | 1% | 536 |
Frequency of meditation among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 50% | 6% | 3% | 39% | 2% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 8% | 5% | 49% | 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 4% | 2% | 40% | 2% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 11% | 6% | 56% | 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 9% | 4% | 47% | 2% | 536 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 80% | 10% | 5% | 4% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 20% | 11% | 9% | 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 79% | 7% | 5% | 2% | 6% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 17% | 13% | 27% | 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 15% | 12% | 16% | 3% | 536 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 16% | 11% | 27% | 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 19% | 15% | 24% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 11% | 10% | 32% | 6% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 18% | 15% | 19% | < 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 16% | 12% | 24% | 2% | 536 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 69% | 3% | 25% | 3% | 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 8% | 44% | 5% | 2% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 58% | 5% | 25% | 2% | 11% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 19% | 58% | 16% | 2% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 13% | 55% | 7% | 5% | 536 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 58% | 41% | 1% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 58% | 1% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 37% | 4% | 2% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 76% | 1% | < 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 73% | 2% | 1% | 536 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 67% | 11% | 7% | 14% | < 1% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 14% | 12% | 37% | < 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 6% | 7% | 15% | 3% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 5% | 8% | 79% | < 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 15% | 9% | 49% | 2% | 536 |
Belief in Heaven among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 91% | 5% | 5% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 91% | 5% | 4% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 79% | 8% | 13% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 53% | 8% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 67% | 18% | 15% | 536 |
Belief in Hell among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 85% | 10% | 5% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 21% | 6% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 13% | 17% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 69% | 6% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 35% | 16% | 536 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 63% | 11% | 27% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 11% | 36% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 23% | 24% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 14% | 59% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 20% | 45% | 536 |
Political ideology among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 67% | 23% | 7% | 3% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 38% | 15% | 3% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 28% | 9% | 12% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 38% | 40% | 3% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 44% | 24% | 6% | 536 |
Views about size of government among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 71% | 25% | 2% | 2% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 66% | 30% | 2% | 2% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 64% | 20% | 5% | 10% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 52% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 28% | 10% | 8% | 536 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 64% | 31% | 3% | 2% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 38% | 3% | 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 24% | 9% | 7% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 57% | 3% | 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 40% | 10% | 4% | 536 |
Views about abortion among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 30% | 67% | 3% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 50% | 2% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 65% | 10% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 83% | 15% | 2% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 30% | 8% | 536 |
Views about homosexuality among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who say homosexuality…
Interpreting scripture | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 63% | 4% | 3% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 31% | 5% | 2% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 29% | 54% | 7% | 9% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 88% | 9% | 2% | 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 66% | 19% | 9% | 5% | 536 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 22% | 73% | 6% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 44% | 6% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 64% | 11% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 84% | 13% | 4% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 24% | 14% | 536 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 52% | 44% | 2% | 2% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 58% | 2% | 1% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 38% | 8% | 9% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 74% | 2% | 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 62% | 6% | 3% | 536 |
Views about human evolution among adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $50,000-$99,999 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 | 8% | 22% | 1% | 65% | 4% | 2,022 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 40% | 2% | 35% | 2% | 2,630 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 7% | 20% | 3% | 57% | 13% | 205 |
Not the word of God | 70% | 16% | 4% | 9% | 1% | 3,330 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 32% | 14% | 18% | 6% | 536 |