DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are ages…

Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201434%37%23%7%699
200734%41%19%6%567
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201422%19%30%25%4%< 1%699
2007< 1%26%38%29%7%1%567
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201453%47%713
200752%48%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who identify as…

Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201463%12%3%17%6%700
200766%12%3%16%4%571
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
201412%10%78%694
200713%7%80%575
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who have a household income of…

Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201445%19%23%12%635
200740%24%25%11%498
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who have completed…

Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201457%31%9%4%709
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201438%9%13%4%36%711
200748%10%13%4%26%579
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201431%69%712
200741%59%580
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say they…

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
201456%31%7%< 1%4%1%713
200765%24%4%< 1%3%3%582
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.

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 are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201429%39%22%9%1%713
200726%44%20%9%1%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who attend religious services…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20148%40%52%1%713
200710%32%57%< 1%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who pray…

Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201437%22%11%29%< 1%713
200739%23%9%29%1%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who attend prayer group…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20147%6%8%79%< 1%713
20079%7%6%78%< 1%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who meditate…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201428%7%4%61%1%713
200726%5%3%64%1%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201441%16%12%30%1%713
200734%17%14%33%2%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201439%13%11%37%< 1%713
200732%14%13%39%2%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201414%11%63%9%3%713
20079%8%75%6%2%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say…

Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201428%70%1%1%713
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who read scripture…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201418%13%8%60%< 1%713
200720%11%10%59%< 1%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who …in heaven

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201478%15%7%713
200778%14%8%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who …in hell

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201462%32%6%713
200759%34%7%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who identify as…

Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201431%28%42%713
200729%25%46%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201424%41%26%10%713
200726%46%22%6%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who would rather have…

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201452%44%2%2%713
200738%55%3%4%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say government aid to the poor…

Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201447%50%2%1%713
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say abortion should be…

Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201455%41%4%713
200757%37%6%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say homosexuality…

Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201474%20%4%2%713
200764%27%4%5%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who …same-sex marriage

Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201466%28%6%713
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say…

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
201437%59%2%2%713
200734%61%2%3%582
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say humans…

Survey yearEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
201431%34%3%29%2%713
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.