Interpreting scripture among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who say the holy scripture is…
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 | 32% | 28% | 2% | 32% | 6% | 5,920 |
2007 | 35% | 27% | 3% | 26% | 8% | 6,387 |
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 $30,000-$49,999 by religious group
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 24% | 39% | 3% | 27% | 7% | 1,151 |
Evangelical Protestant | 56% | 30% | 3% | 8% | 4% | 1,606 |
Historically Black Protestant | 57% | 24% | 3% | 9% | 7% | 362 |
Mainline Protestant | 27% | 38% | 3% | 24% | 8% | 991 |
Mormon | 32% | 55% | 3% | 7% | 1% | 124 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 9% | 10% | 1% | 73% | 6% | 1,261 |
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 $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 13% | 36% | 30% | 21% | 1,773 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 33% | 22% | 19% | 1,675 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 13% | 30% | 29% | 27% | 146 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 35% | 18% | 13% | 1,894 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 35% | 25% | 21% | 389 |
Generational cohort among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 6% | 12% | 30% | 36% | 14% | 1% | 1,773 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 15% | 18% | 26% | 27% | 13% | 1% | 1,675 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 8% | 26% | 38% | 18% | 1% | 146 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 24% | 26% | 22% | 8% | 1% | 1,894 |
Other/don't know | 7% | 20% | 27% | 30% | 15% | 2% | 389 |
Gender composition among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 55% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 55% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 50% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 58% | 42% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 48% | 394 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 60% | 20% | 1% | 15% | 4% | 1,771 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 10% | 2% | 14% | 4% | 1,680 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 16% | 3% | 22% | 6% | 144 |
Not the word of God | 68% | 7% | 7% | 14% | 5% | 1,880 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 13% | 7% | 12% | 6% | 387 |
Immigrant status among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 14% | 7% | 79% | 1,769 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 12% | 10% | 79% | 1,682 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 23% | 8% | 69% | 145 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 14% | 73% | 1,888 |
Other/don't know | 12% | 8% | 80% | 391 |
Educational distribution among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 35% | 9% | 3% | 1,781 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 38% | 15% | 6% | 1,690 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 41% | 15% | 5% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 38% | 19% | 9% | 1,902 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 39% | 17% | 6% | 394 |
Marital status among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 5% | 15% | 7% | 17% | 1,782 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 8% | 14% | 7% | 27% | 1,687 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 67% | 2% | 11% | 5% | 16% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 13% | 14% | 4% | 36% | 1,898 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 10% | 16% | 6% | 23% | 387 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 31% | 69% | 1,781 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 29% | 71% | 1,687 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 68% | 147 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 78% | 1,902 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 74% | 394 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 91% | 8% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 76% | 21% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 89% | 8% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 29% | 11% | 1% | 26% | 4% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 64% | 23% | 3% | 1% | 5% | 4% | 394 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 84% | 13% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 32% | 5% | 1% | < 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 11% | 3% | 1% | 3% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 30% | 26% | 28% | 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 36% | 9% | 10% | 1% | 394 |
Attendance at religious services among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 59% | 28% | 13% | < 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 40% | 17% | < 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 28% | 17% | 2% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 32% | 61% | < 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 45% | 32% | 1% | 394 |
Frequency of prayer among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 79% | 12% | 3% | 5% | < 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 21% | 5% | 11% | < 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 14% | 1% | 4% | < 1% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 13% | 8% | 54% | < 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 18% | 9% | 22% | 3% | 394 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 45% | 11% | 11% | 32% | < 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 13% | 10% | 54% | < 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 13% | 14% | 35% | 1% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 3% | 5% | 88% | < 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 5% | 9% | 71% | < 1% | 394 |
Frequency of meditation among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 53% | 7% | 3% | 36% | 2% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 9% | 2% | 49% | 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 8% | 4% | 28% | 3% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 9% | 6% | 55% | 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 9% | 5% | 47% | 1% | 394 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 76% | 11% | 5% | 7% | 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 61% | 18% | 9% | 12% | < 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 13% | 13% | 6% | 2% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 17% | 12% | 28% | 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 56% | 18% | 8% | 15% | 3% | 394 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 44% | 16% | 10% | 28% | 2% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 18% | 13% | 25% | 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 13% | 8% | 26% | 5% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 16% | 15% | 22% | < 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 12% | 13% | 28% | 1% | 394 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 60% | 3% | 30% | 5% | 2% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 7% | 47% | 6% | 2% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 3% | 31% | 3% | 10% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 18% | 60% | 15% | 2% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 10% | 55% | 6% | 8% | 394 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 47% | 51% | 1% | 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 65% | 1% | 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 53% | 4% | 3% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 80% | 1% | 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 66% | 2% | 1% | 394 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 63% | 11% | 7% | 19% | 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 15% | 10% | 37% | < 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 61% | 12% | 9% | 18% | < 1% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 7% | 8% | 76% | < 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 22% | 10% | 10% | 55% | 2% | 394 |
Belief in Heaven among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 91% | 5% | 4% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 89% | 7% | 4% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 89% | 4% | 7% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 49% | 9% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 66% | 17% | 17% | 394 |
Belief in Hell among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 84% | 12% | 4% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 23% | 5% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 73% | 19% | 8% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 65% | 7% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 36% | 19% | 394 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 47% | 14% | 39% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 16% | 40% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 25% | 36% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 15% | 58% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 22% | 43% | 394 |
Political ideology among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 54% | 27% | 15% | 5% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 40% | 18% | 3% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 28% | 9% | 17% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 37% | 40% | 4% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 38% | 24% | 9% | 394 |
Views about size of government among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 55% | 40% | 2% | 2% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 36% | 2% | 3% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 29% | 7% | 10% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 43% | 2% | 3% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 37% | 8% | 7% | 394 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 55% | 41% | 3% | 1% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 49% | 47% | 3% | 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 36% | 16% | 7% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 57% | 4% | 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 37% | 47% | 10% | 6% | 394 |
Views about abortion among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 34% | 64% | 3% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 49% | 48% | 3% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 26% | 58% | 16% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 77% | 21% | 3% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 28% | 10% | 394 |
Views about homosexuality among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 37% | 56% | 4% | 3% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 31% | 4% | 3% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 43% | 13% | 10% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 85% | 11% | 2% | 2% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 65% | 24% | 7% | 4% | 394 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 26% | 67% | 7% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 40% | 6% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 51% | 17% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 80% | 15% | 5% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 32% | 11% | 394 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 50% | 46% | 2% | 2% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 59% | 2% | 1% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 41% | 10% | 9% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 68% | 2% | 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 54% | 6% | 7% | 394 |
Views about human evolution among adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 by interpretation of scripture
% of adults with a household income of $30,000-$49,999 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 | 9% | 22% | 2% | 63% | 3% | 1,784 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 18% | 39% | 3% | 37% | 3% | 1,691 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 22% | 4% | 44% | 16% | 148 |
Not the word of God | 63% | 19% | 4% | 12% | 1% | 1,903 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 29% | 14% | 25% | 9% | 394 |