Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally

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

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201438%9%45%6%2%9,542
200731%7%55%4%2%9,841
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: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by religious group

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

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic34%9%48%7%2%2,774
Evangelical Protestant50%8%37%3%2%2,469
Historically Black Protestant39%8%46%6%1%466
Jehovah's Witness78%2%13%3%4%102
Jewish34%9%47%6%4%184
Mainline Protestant32%9%52%5%2%2,158
Mormon65%3%28%1%2%360
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")14%11%63%9%3%713
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion21%33%27%19%3,746
Philosophy/reason37%32%19%12%817
Common sense24%34%25%17%4,094
Science29%36%22%13%509
Don't know16%34%27%23%211
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion14%13%27%33%12%1%3,746
Philosophy/reason25%19%25%22%9%< 1%817
Common sense15%14%29%30%11%1%4,094
Science22%13%30%26%8%1%509
Don't know10%10%30%31%17%2%211
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion42%58%3,819
Philosophy/reason48%52%827
Common sense48%52%4,156
Science48%52%517
Don't know58%42%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion71%11%2%12%4%3,782
Philosophy/reason64%10%5%16%5%821
Common sense72%10%3%12%3%4,115
Science58%8%6%23%5%508
Don't know76%6%3%12%3%217
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion11%9%80%3,783
Philosophy/reason17%12%71%824
Common sense11%11%78%4,111
Science23%13%64%508
Don't know17%7%76%220
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Religion27%21%32%20%3,368
Philosophy/reason32%17%28%24%747
Common sense32%21%28%19%3,667
Science31%23%26%20%453
Don't know25%23%32%20%174
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion32%34%20%13%3,809
Philosophy/reason32%34%19%14%825
Common sense42%34%16%8%4,141
Science40%25%19%15%514
Don't know34%27%24%15%220
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion56%4%11%6%23%3,808
Philosophy/reason43%6%12%3%35%823
Common sense48%7%13%7%25%4,146
Science44%8%12%4%32%514
Don't know56%3%11%10%20%221
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion33%67%3,802
Philosophy/reason30%70%826
Common sense30%70%4,141
Science33%67%516
Don't know26%74%221
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieve 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
Religion90%9%1%< 1%< 1%< 1%3,819
Philosophy/reason66%30%4%< 1%< 1%< 1%827
Common sense69%26%3%< 1%1%< 1%4,156
Science55%36%5%< 1%3%< 1%517
Don't know86%11%1%1%< 1%1%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion85%13%1%1%< 1%3,819
Philosophy/reason50%37%8%4%1%827
Common sense46%44%8%2%< 1%4,156
Science42%43%12%3%< 1%517
Don't know68%22%3%3%4%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion63%27%9%< 1%3,819
Philosophy/reason33%47%20%< 1%827
Common sense27%49%24%< 1%4,156
Science25%48%26%1%517
Don't know53%29%15%3%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion81%14%2%2%< 1%3,819
Philosophy/reason54%26%9%11%< 1%827
Common sense52%25%9%13%< 1%4,156
Science44%27%8%20%< 1%517
Don't know74%18%4%4%1%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion40%13%11%35%< 1%3,819
Philosophy/reason18%14%15%53%< 1%827
Common sense14%9%11%66%< 1%4,156
Science13%12%10%64%< 1%517
Don't know28%16%10%43%3%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion49%8%3%38%1%3,819
Philosophy/reason45%9%5%41%1%827
Common sense30%8%5%56%1%4,156
Science29%13%4%54%< 1%517
Don't know48%7%2%37%5%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion74%14%6%5%1%3,819
Philosophy/reason56%22%10%11%< 1%827
Common sense50%20%14%16%1%4,156
Science46%18%18%18%1%517
Don't know71%12%3%11%3%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion47%18%12%21%1%3,819
Philosophy/reason53%16%13%17%1%827
Common sense36%18%15%30%1%4,156
Science38%17%16%29%< 1%517
Don't know52%15%10%20%4%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion48%50%1%< 1%3,819
Philosophy/reason31%68%1%< 1%827
Common sense29%70%1%< 1%4,156
Science26%74%< 1%1%517
Don't know37%53%6%4%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion59%13%8%20%< 1%3,819
Philosophy/reason32%17%11%40%< 1%827
Common sense22%14%13%50%< 1%4,156
Science20%15%13%52%< 1%517
Don't know45%11%11%30%3%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion90%5%5%3,819
Philosophy/reason87%8%5%827
Common sense90%6%4%4,156
Science85%12%3%517
Don't know84%7%9%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion76%17%7%3,819
Philosophy/reason63%31%6%827
Common sense68%25%6%4,156
Science67%28%5%517
Don't know65%19%16%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion51%15%33%3,819
Philosophy/reason44%13%43%827
Common sense44%16%41%4,156
Science33%18%50%517
Don't know47%28%26%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion50%33%12%5%3,819
Philosophy/reason29%42%26%4%827
Common sense36%41%19%4%4,156
Science28%45%24%3%517
Don't know44%34%11%12%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion63%33%2%3%3,819
Philosophy/reason55%41%2%1%827
Common sense58%38%2%2%4,156
Science43%53%1%2%517
Don't know55%25%8%12%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally who say government aid to the poor…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion52%44%3%1%3,819
Philosophy/reason41%54%4%< 1%827
Common sense52%45%2%1%4,156
Science43%54%2%1%517
Don't know36%40%16%8%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion34%63%2%3,819
Philosophy/reason56%41%2%827
Common sense58%40%3%4,156
Science59%38%3%517
Don't know38%52%10%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion48%44%5%3%3,819
Philosophy/reason76%17%5%2%827
Common sense71%22%4%2%4,156
Science73%21%1%4%517
Don't know43%32%14%11%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion37%57%7%3,819
Philosophy/reason69%25%6%827
Common sense60%32%8%4,156
Science66%29%6%517
Don't know40%46%14%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStricter 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
Religion42%54%2%2%3,819
Philosophy/reason32%67%1%1%827
Common sense41%56%1%1%4,156
Science33%63%2%2%517
Don't know39%46%8%7%223
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God but should not be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

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

Sources of guidance on right and wrongEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Religion10%37%2%48%4%3,819
Philosophy/reason28%44%4%23%2%827
Common sense25%38%3%31%3%4,156
Science41%32%3%23%2%517
Don't know5%39%14%26%16%223
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.