DemographicInformation

Age distribution among the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who are ages…

Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201430%57%12%< 1%200
200734%61%4%1%204
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who are…

Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201412%31%44%12%< 1%< 1%200
2007< 1%22%61%16%1%< 1%204
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who are…

Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201448%52%201
200743%57%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who identify as…

Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201460%15%2%19%5%199
200760%15%2%20%3%203
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who are…

Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
201416%7%78%198
200716%5%79%205
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

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

Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201437%21%29%14%194
200736%27%24%13%188
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who have completed…

Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201450%36%11%2%200
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who are…

Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201458%11%9%1%21%200
200765%9%9%1%16%207
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents 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
201462%30%5%< 1%2%1%201
200770%22%3%< 1%3%2%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201433%38%20%7%1%201
200731%48%13%7%1%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

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

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20147%48%44%< 1%201
200711%33%55%< 1%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who pray…

Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201440%26%11%23%< 1%201
200744%22%8%25%< 1%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

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

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20148%10%9%74%< 1%201
200711%7%7%75%< 1%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who meditate…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201427%6%2%64%< 1%201
200722%5%2%68%3%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents 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
201439%18%13%29%1%201
200734%17%13%33%3%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents 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
201442%15%10%33%< 1%201
200732%15%12%38%3%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

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

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201416%12%61%7%3%201
200710%8%74%7%1%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who say…

Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201431%68%< 1%2%201
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who read scripture…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201422%12%7%59%< 1%201
200725%12%9%54%< 1%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who …in heaven

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201482%13%5%201
200780%14%6%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who …in hell

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201467%27%6%201
200763%31%6%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who identify as…

Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201435%24%41%201
200728%22%50%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who are…

Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201427%39%24%10%201
200727%46%22%5%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

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

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201450%47%1%1%201
200727%67%2%5%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents 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%201
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who say abortion should be…

Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201452%42%6%201
200756%40%4%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents who say homosexuality…

Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201474%16%7%3%201
200764%27%4%6%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

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

Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201463%29%8%201
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents 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
201431%66%2%2%201
200736%61%2%2%208
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 the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents

% of the Unaffiliated adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who are parents 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
201427%43%1%27%3%201
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.