Interpreting scripture among 30-49 year olds
% of 30-49 year olds who say the holy scripture is…
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 | 31% | 26% | 2% | 34% | 7% | 9,178 |
2007 | 32% | 27% | 3% | 28% | 9% | 11,823 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among 30-49 year olds by religious group
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 29% | 33% | 2% | 29% | 7% | 1,763 |
Evangelical Protestant | 52% | 32% | 4% | 8% | 4% | 2,168 |
Hindu | 14% | 11% | 1% | 60% | 14% | 109 |
Historically Black Protestant | 58% | 23% | 3% | 9% | 7% | 552 |
Jewish | 11% | 27% | 1% | 54% | 7% | 165 |
Mainline Protestant | 22% | 37% | 2% | 32% | 8% | 1,269 |
Mormon | 35% | 52% | 2% | 7% | 3% | 223 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 12% | 11% | < 1% | 69% | 8% | 2,371 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Switch Display To: religious group among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
Demographic✭Information
Generational cohort among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | < 1% | 16% | 84% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | < 1% | 18% | 82% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | < 1% | 10% | 90% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 195 |
Not the word of God | < 1% | 22% | 78% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | < 1% | 19% | 81% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by generational group
Gender composition among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 56% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 53% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 54% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 56% | 44% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 47% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 48% | 20% | 3% | 26% | 4% | 2,410 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 11% | 3% | 16% | 4% | 2,470 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 58% | 12% | 4% | 21% | 5% | 191 |
Not the word of God | 69% | 6% | 6% | 15% | 4% | 3,416 |
Other/don't know | 58% | 14% | 5% | 18% | 5% | 582 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 26% | 6% | 68% | 2,391 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 16% | 8% | 77% | 2,470 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 21% | 6% | 73% | 193 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 10% | 72% | 3,424 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 6% | 73% | 587 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by immigrant status
Income distribution among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 43% | 22% | 22% | 12% | 2,191 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 24% | 20% | 33% | 24% | 2,334 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 19% | 31% | 20% | 171 |
Not the word of God | 22% | 18% | 30% | 30% | 3,277 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 19% | 29% | 21% | 516 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by household income
Educational distribution among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 51% | 30% | 12% | 6% | 2,421 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 33% | 22% | 14% | 2,487 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 36% | 17% | 11% | 194 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 29% | 25% | 20% | 3,458 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 34% | 17% | 13% | 595 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by educational group
Marital status among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 56% | 7% | 15% | 2% | 20% | 2,430 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 8% | 14% | 1% | 15% | 2,487 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 64% | 6% | 12% | 1% | 16% | 193 |
Not the word of God | 54% | 12% | 12% | 1% | 21% | 3,458 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 11% | 14% | 2% | 23% | 590 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 60% | 40% | 2,421 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 36% | 2,485 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 65% | 35% | 193 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 49% | 3,453 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 45% | 594 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 86% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 77% | 20% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 90% | 8% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 29% | 12% | < 1% | 26% | 5% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 26% | 5% | 1% | 3% | 5% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 83% | 13% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 61% | 31% | 6% | 2% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 81% | 16% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 31% | 24% | 30% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 32% | 15% | 8% | 2% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 58% | 29% | 13% | < 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 43% | 19% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 32% | 15% | 2% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 33% | 59% | < 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 21% | 44% | 33% | 1% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 79% | 12% | 3% | 6% | 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 20% | 7% | 9% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 86% | 10% | 2% | 2% | < 1% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 15% | 9% | 51% | < 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 16% | 6% | 22% | 3% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 44% | 15% | 10% | 31% | < 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 13% | 11% | 51% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 13% | 12% | 31% | 1% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 4% | 5% | 86% | < 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 15% | 9% | 7% | 68% | 2% | 597 |
Frequency of meditation among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who meditate…
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 | 48% | 8% | 3% | 39% | 2% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 8% | 4% | 51% | 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 4% | 5% | 39% | 5% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 11% | 6% | 52% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 10% | 4% | 48% | 3% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 72% | 12% | 7% | 7% | 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 59% | 18% | 11% | 11% | 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 71% | 15% | 7% | 3% | 4% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 17% | 13% | 27% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 14% | 12% | 19% | 3% | 597 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 44% | 15% | 12% | 28% | 2% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 18% | 15% | 29% | 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 13% | 10% | 32% | 4% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 18% | 16% | 21% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 43% | 16% | 14% | 26% | 1% | 597 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 59% | 4% | 30% | 6% | 2% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 8% | 46% | 6% | 2% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 4% | 32% | 3% | 9% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 17% | 58% | 18% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 14% | 53% | 7% | 6% | 597 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 45% | 54% | 1% | 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 38% | 61% | 1% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 38% | 6% | 3% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 21% | 77% | 1% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 66% | 4% | 2% | 597 |
Frequency of reading scripture among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 61% | 12% | 7% | 20% | 1% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 13% | 12% | 37% | < 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 66% | 12% | 6% | 16% | < 1% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 6% | 8% | 76% | < 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 15% | 10% | 50% | 2% | 597 |
Belief in Heaven among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 91% | 5% | 5% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 5% | 14% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 51% | 8% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 67% | 14% | 19% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 82% | 12% | 6% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 74% | 20% | 6% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 79% | 9% | 12% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 66% | 8% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 29% | 21% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 42% | 22% | 37% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 17% | 37% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 41% | 32% | 27% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 19% | 55% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 32% | 41% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by political party
Political ideology among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 51% | 25% | 17% | 7% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 39% | 17% | 5% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 25% | 12% | 13% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 38% | 40% | 6% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 27% | 39% | 22% | 12% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by political ideology
Views about size of government among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 46% | 49% | 2% | 2% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 37% | 2% | 2% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 34% | 4% | 9% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 50% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 46% | 36% | 10% | 9% | 597 |
Views about government aid to the poor among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 49% | 45% | 4% | 2% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 45% | 3% | 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 56% | 32% | 10% | 2% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 59% | 4% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 41% | 43% | 10% | 5% | 597 |
Views about abortion among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 32% | 63% | 4% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 50% | 2% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 58% | 13% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 79% | 18% | 3% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 32% | 11% | 597 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among 30-49 year olds by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 40% | 51% | 5% | 4% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 30% | 5% | 3% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 45% | 11% | 13% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 87% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 65% | 20% | 9% | 5% | 597 |
Views about same-sex marriage among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 29% | 61% | 10% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 41% | 7% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 25% | 57% | 18% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 83% | 12% | 5% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 27% | 13% | 597 |
Views about environmental regulation among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 46% | 49% | 2% | 3% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 59% | 2% | 1% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 44% | 7% | 9% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 72% | 2% | 2% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 57% | 6% | 7% | 597 |
Views about human evolution among 30-49 year olds by interpretation of scripture
% of 30-49 year olds 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 | 13% | 24% | 2% | 58% | 3% | 2,431 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 20% | 38% | 3% | 37% | 3% | 2,492 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 14% | 19% | 2% | 47% | 17% | 195 |
Not the word of God | 67% | 16% | 4% | 12% | 1% | 3,463 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 25% | 14% | 23% | 9% | 597 |