DemographicInformation

Age distribution among Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who are ages…

Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201422%32%24%22%123
200710%29%30%32%147
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who are…

Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201414%10%29%29%15%2%123
2007< 1%8%16%37%30%9%147
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who are…

Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201447%53%123
200744%56%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who identify as…

Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201486%2%6%5%1%122
200791%4%2%1%3%149
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who are…

Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
20149%7%84%122
20077%6%87%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who have a household income of…

Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201422%16%29%33%111
200721%25%32%22%127
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who have completed…

Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201423%37%25%15%123
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who are…

Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201450%11%13%8%18%123
200765%4%11%11%9%149
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who are…

Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201428%72%123
200726%74%149
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year 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
201471%25%3%< 1%1%< 1%123
200783%17%1%< 1%< 1%< 1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201444%49%5%2%< 1%123
200760%36%3%1%1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who attend religious services…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201428%58%14%< 1%123
200738%52%10%< 1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who pray…

Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201457%25%13%5%< 1%123
200757%32%7%3%< 1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who attend prayer group…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201410%5%16%69%< 1%123
20077%11%22%60%< 1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year 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
201448%19%21%12%< 1%123
200738%20%34%7%1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year 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
201432%21%24%21%1%123
200730%23%24%20%4%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201424%13%60%3%< 1%123
200736%8%54%2%< 1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who say…

Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201430%69%< 1%< 1%123
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who read scripture…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201416%13%35%36%< 1%123
200715%16%31%36%2%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who …in heaven

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201491%4%5%123
200785%2%13%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who …in hell

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201468%20%12%123
200763%25%12%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who identify as…

Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201449%13%39%123
200741%11%48%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who are…

Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201431%48%16%5%123
200736%51%11%1%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who would rather have…

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201461%33%4%3%123
200753%36%4%7%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who say government aid to the poor…

Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201446%47%7%< 1%123
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who say abortion should be…

Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201466%31%2%123
200768%28%4%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who say homosexuality…

Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201469%26%4%1%123
200759%31%5%5%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year who …same-sex marriage

Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201459%34%7%123
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year 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
201443%52%< 1%4%123
200723%71%3%4%150
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 Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year

% of Mainline Protestants adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who meditate several times a year 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
201424%41%6%26%4%123
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.