Survey year | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 24% | 28% | 2% | 40% | 7% | 15,172 |
2007 | 26% | 29% | 3% | 33% | 9% | 15,447 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never meditate by religious group
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say the holy scripture is…
Religious tradition | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 19% | 38% | 2% | 33% | 7% | 3,119 |
Evangelical Protestant | 48% | 34% | 4% | 9% | 4% | 3,202 |
Historically Black Protestant | 50% | 27% | 2% | 13% | 9% | 538 |
Jewish | 7% | 23% | 2% | 61% | 7% | 487 |
Mainline Protestant | 21% | 38% | 2% | 31% | 8% | 2,679 |
Mormon | 31% | 53% | 3% | 7% | 5% | 175 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 8% | 11% | 1% | 73% | 7% | 4,330 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 20% | 38% | 31% | 12% | 3,169 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 36% | 23% | 12% | 4,161 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 16% | 32% | 33% | 19% | 302 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 34% | 21% | 12% | 6,265 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 37% | 25% | 17% | 1,006 |
Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 12% | 14% | 32% | 35% | 7% | < 1% | 3,169 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 16% | 29% | 28% | 7% | < 1% | 4,161 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 9% | 30% | 37% | 15% | 1% | 302 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 19% | 26% | 26% | 7% | 1% | 6,265 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 17% | 30% | 30% | 10% | 1% | 1,006 |
Gender composition among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 56% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 52% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 59% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 41% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 51% | 1,054 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 66% | 16% | 2% | 13% | 3% | 3,193 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 76% | 8% | 3% | 10% | 3% | 4,192 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 75% | 5% | 1% | 15% | 3% | 309 |
Not the word of God | 75% | 5% | 6% | 11% | 3% | 6,280 |
Other/don't know | 68% | 11% | 4% | 12% | 5% | 1,024 |
Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 10% | 8% | 81% | 3,156 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 9% | 10% | 81% | 4,184 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 6% | 80% | 312 |
Not the word of God | 12% | 13% | 75% | 6,296 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 8% | 78% | 1,028 |
Income distribution among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who have a household income of…
Interpreting scripture | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 22% | 24% | 13% | 2,759 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 21% | 30% | 21% | 3,749 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 16% | 29% | 17% | 237 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 19% | 30% | 26% | 5,738 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 21% | 26% | 20% | 836 |
Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 57% | 29% | 11% | 4% | 3,200 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 34% | 17% | 9% | 4,209 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 49% | 35% | 11% | 6% | 312 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 31% | 21% | 14% | 6,334 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 35% | 16% | 9% | 1,039 |
Marital status among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 6% | 14% | 5% | 23% | 3,217 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 7% | 10% | 4% | 29% | 4,217 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 4% | 13% | 10% | 19% | 311 |
Not the word of God | 44% | 10% | 9% | 3% | 33% | 6,334 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 8% | 12% | 6% | 25% | 1,043 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 35% | 65% | 3,215 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 66% | 4,207 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 72% | 312 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 74% | 6,338 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 68% | 1,046 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say they…
Interpreting scripture | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 87% | 10% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 25% | 3% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 86% | 9% | < 1% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 27% | 13% | < 1% | 33% | 6% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 7% | 7% | 1,054 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say religion is…
Interpreting scripture | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 76% | 20% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 40% | 8% | 2% | < 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 77% | 19% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 10% | 29% | 27% | 34% | < 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 37% | 17% | 11% | 1% | 1,054 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who attend religious services…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 35% | 18% | 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 44% | 25% | < 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 36% | 22% | 1% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 6% | 31% | 64% | < 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 42% | 40% | 1% | 1,054 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 69% | 17% | 4% | 9% | 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 26% | 9% | 15% | < 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 69% | 15% | 6% | 7% | 3% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 12% | 8% | 65% | < 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 17% | 8% | 33% | 3% | 1,054 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who attend prayer group…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 31% | 12% | 10% | 46% | < 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 14% | 10% | 10% | 66% | < 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 8% | 9% | 56% | 3% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 2% | 2% | 3% | 92% | < 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 6% | 6% | 77% | 1% | 1,054 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 64% | 13% | 8% | 13% | 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 20% | 15% | 18% | 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 14% | 9% | 11% | 6% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 17% | 13% | 40% | 2% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 14% | 13% | 29% | 3% | 1,054 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 33% | 14% | 12% | 39% | 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 18% | 16% | 34% | 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 29% | 14% | 15% | 37% | 4% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 18% | 17% | 29% | 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 32% | 15% | 14% | 37% | 2% | 1,054 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Interpreting scripture | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 5% | 37% | 4% | 2% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 8% | 54% | 6% | 2% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 3% | 39% | 5% | 9% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 15% | 61% | 18% | 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 9% | 61% | 10% | 6% | 1,054 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say…
Interpreting scripture | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 54% | 1% | 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 65% | 1% | < 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 49% | 4% | 2% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 78% | 1% | < 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 71% | 3% | 2% | 1,054 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who read scripture…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 13% | 9% | 33% | 1% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 13% | 11% | 53% | < 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 11% | 10% | 32% | 3% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 4% | 5% | 5% | 86% | < 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 10% | 7% | 66% | 2% | 1,054 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 92% | 4% | 4% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 83% | 6% | 12% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 51% | 9% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 16% | 21% | 1,054 |
Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 83% | 12% | 6% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 22% | 6% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 74% | 11% | 15% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 65% | 7% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 31% | 22% | 1,054 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 48% | 18% | 34% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 16% | 36% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 25% | 27% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 17% | 55% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 26% | 43% | 1,054 |
Political ideology among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 53% | 27% | 13% | 8% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 39% | 17% | 5% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 23% | 14% | 18% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 37% | 38% | 6% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 37% | 21% | 13% | 1,054 |
Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who would rather have…
Interpreting scripture | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 51% | 44% | 2% | 3% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 37% | 1% | 2% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 57% | 29% | 4% | 10% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 49% | 34% | 7% | 9% | 1,054 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say government aid to the poor…
Interpreting scripture | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 53% | 42% | 3% | 2% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 43% | 2% | 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 32% | 8% | 7% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 56% | 3% | 1% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 47% | 8% | 4% | 1,054 |
Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say abortion should be…
Interpreting scripture | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 34% | 62% | 4% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 47% | 2% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 56% | 14% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 79% | 19% | 3% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 29% | 11% | 1,054 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say homosexuality…
Interpreting scripture | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 50% | 4% | 4% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 27% | 4% | 2% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 41% | 10% | 11% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 86% | 10% | 2% | 2% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 66% | 20% | 8% | 6% | 1,054 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 32% | 61% | 7% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 36% | 6% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 32% | 55% | 13% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 81% | 14% | 5% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 58% | 28% | 14% | 1,054 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say…
Interpreting scripture | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 50% | 45% | 2% | 3% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 55% | 2% | 1% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 38% | 7% | 10% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 68% | 2% | 2% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 53% | 5% | 7% | 1,054 |
Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never meditate by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who seldom or never meditate who say humans…
Interpreting scripture | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 14% | 23% | 2% | 57% | 4% | 3,224 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 23% | 37% | 3% | 34% | 3% | 4,226 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 10% | 21% | 5% | 45% | 19% | 315 |
Not the word of God | 69% | 15% | 4% | 11% | 2% | 6,353 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 25% | 12% | 22% | 9% | 1,054 |