Survey yearWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
201439%33%3%19%6%24,337
200740%32%4%17%8%25,775
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.

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 who believe in Heaven by religious group

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say the holy scripture is…

Religious traditionWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Catholic28%40%3%22%7%6,083
Evangelical Protestant56%30%4%7%4%7,452
Historically Black Protestant61%24%3%7%6%1,761
Jehovah's Witness45%38%11%3%3%126
Jewish23%42%2%27%6%288
Mainline Protestant28%40%3%21%8%4,683
Mormon34%55%5%4%2%626
Muslim45%32%10%10%3%202
Orthodox Christian27%46%2%18%7%138
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")22%23%2%45%9%2,430
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.

Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who are ages…

Interpreting scripture18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally15%34%30%22%8,701
Word of God; not everything taken literally24%34%25%17%8,347
Word of God; other/don't know14%28%29%28%769
Not the word of God29%35%25%12%4,473
Other/don't know18%34%28%20%1,559
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…

Interpreting scriptureYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally9%11%29%35%15%2%8,701
Word of God; not everything taken literally16%14%28%30%11%1%8,347
Word of God; other/don't know8%9%25%36%20%2%769
Not the word of God18%18%28%29%7%< 1%4,473
Other/don't know9%16%28%34%12%2%1,559
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…

Interpreting scriptureMenWomenSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally43%57%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally46%54%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know40%60%806
Not the word of God50%50%4,538
Other/don't know46%54%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally56%20%2%18%3%8,782
Word of God; not everything taken literally71%10%3%13%4%8,408
Word of God; other/don't know65%11%3%15%6%785
Not the word of God68%8%5%15%4%4,481
Other/don't know65%13%4%14%5%1,573
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…

Interpreting scriptureImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally17%7%76%8,734
Word of God; not everything taken literally12%10%78%8,407
Word of God; other/don't know18%8%75%788
Not the word of God14%12%74%4,490
Other/don't know13%8%79%1,578
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who have a household income of…

Interpreting scriptureLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally47%22%21%10%7,565
Word of God; not everything taken literally29%21%30%20%7,503
Word of God; other/don't know39%22%25%14%619
Not the word of God32%20%28%21%4,092
Other/don't know39%20%25%17%1,305
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who have completed…

Interpreting scriptureHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally56%29%10%5%8,827
Word of God; not everything taken literally37%34%18%11%8,461
Word of God; other/don't know44%35%14%7%796
Not the word of God36%34%18%12%4,521
Other/don't know39%36%15%10%1,597
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…

Interpreting scriptureMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally50%5%15%9%20%8,851
Word of God; not everything taken literally51%6%12%6%26%8,464
Word of God; other/don't know54%4%13%12%17%796
Not the word of God44%11%11%4%30%4,525
Other/don't know45%9%15%9%22%1,598
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…

Interpreting scriptureParentsNon-parentsSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally30%70%8,859
Word of God; not everything taken literally32%68%8,457
Word of God; other/don't know28%72%796
Not the word of God29%71%4,528
Other/don't know29%71%1,604
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say they…

Interpreting scriptureBelieve 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
Word of God; should be taken literally88%10%1%1%< 1%< 1%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally78%20%2%< 1%< 1%< 1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know88%9%1%2%< 1%1%806
Not the word of God47%38%10%< 1%3%2%4,538
Other/don't know70%23%3%2%1%2%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say religion is…

Interpreting scriptureVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally85%12%2%1%< 1%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally63%31%5%1%< 1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know83%13%1%1%1%806
Not the word of God28%44%19%8%1%4,538
Other/don't know55%31%8%3%1%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who attend religious services…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally60%28%12%< 1%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally42%41%17%< 1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know55%29%15%2%806
Not the word of God15%44%41%< 1%4,538
Other/don't know30%43%25%2%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who pray…

Interpreting scriptureAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally80%12%3%4%1%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally64%22%6%8%< 1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know81%10%2%3%3%806
Not the word of God40%22%11%27%< 1%4,538
Other/don't know60%19%7%12%3%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who attend prayer group…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally45%14%9%31%1%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally24%12%11%52%< 1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know39%10%9%40%2%806
Not the word of God8%5%7%80%< 1%4,538
Other/don't know18%10%9%62%2%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who meditate…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally53%7%3%35%2%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally38%8%4%48%1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know51%5%3%35%5%806
Not the word of God31%10%5%53%1%4,538
Other/don't know40%10%4%43%3%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally75%11%6%7%1%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally60%18%10%11%1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know70%10%9%6%5%806
Not the word of God47%18%13%21%1%4,538
Other/don't know58%15%10%13%3%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally45%14%11%27%2%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally41%18%14%25%1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know43%13%11%26%7%806
Not the word of God45%16%14%24%< 1%4,538
Other/don't know44%15%13%25%3%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Interpreting scriptureReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally59%4%30%4%2%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally38%9%46%5%2%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know51%3%32%3%10%806
Not the word of God11%14%62%11%2%4,538
Other/don't know26%10%52%6%6%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say…

Interpreting scriptureThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally44%54%1%2%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally36%62%1%< 1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know41%51%5%3%806
Not the word of God24%75%1%1%4,538
Other/don't know29%66%3%2%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who read scripture…

Interpreting scriptureAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally62%11%6%20%1%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally37%15%11%37%< 1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know58%11%8%21%2%806
Not the word of God14%8%9%68%< 1%4,538
Other/don't know31%13%10%44%2%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who …in hell

Interpreting scriptureBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally86%10%4%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally76%19%5%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know78%11%11%806
Not the word of God60%35%5%4,538
Other/don't know66%22%11%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who identify as…

Interpreting scriptureRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Word of God; should be taken literally43%18%39%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally47%15%38%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know43%26%31%806
Not the word of God31%18%51%4,538
Other/don't know31%26%43%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who are…

Interpreting scriptureConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally52%26%15%7%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally41%38%17%4%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know47%25%11%17%806
Not the word of God24%40%31%5%4,538
Other/don't know30%37%21%13%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who would rather have…

Interpreting scriptureSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally48%47%2%3%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally59%37%2%2%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know50%31%7%12%806
Not the word of God52%43%2%3%4,538
Other/don't know48%36%7%9%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say government aid to the poor…

Interpreting scriptureDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally49%45%3%2%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally51%45%3%1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know47%35%10%8%806
Not the word of God41%54%3%1%4,538
Other/don't know41%47%8%4%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say abortion should be…

Interpreting scriptureLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally32%63%4%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally48%49%2%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know30%55%15%806
Not the word of God71%26%3%4,538
Other/don't know53%34%12%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say homosexuality…

Interpreting scriptureShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally37%55%4%4%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally63%30%4%3%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know35%47%9%9%806
Not the word of God83%13%3%2%4,538
Other/don't know61%24%8%7%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who …same-sex marriage

Interpreting scriptureStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally27%65%8%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally52%41%7%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know27%55%19%806
Not the word of God75%19%6%4,538
Other/don't know55%31%14%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say…

Interpreting scriptureStricter 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
Word of God; should be taken literally48%46%2%4%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally41%56%2%1%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know40%42%7%11%806
Not the word of God32%64%2%2%4,538
Other/don't know35%52%6%7%1,615
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 believe in Heaven by interpretation of scripture

% of adults who believe in Heaven who say humans…

Interpreting scriptureEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Word of God; should be taken literally12%23%2%58%5%8,889
Word of God; not everything taken literally20%39%3%36%3%8,489
Word of God; other/don't know9%21%5%47%17%806
Not the word of God47%29%4%18%2%4,538
Other/don't know23%32%10%25%10%1,615
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.