Interpreting scripture among Latinos
% of Latinos 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 | 38% | 24% | 3% | 29% | 7% | 3,814 |
2007 | 38% | 24% | 5% | 21% | 12% | 3,151 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among Latinos by religious group
% of Latinos 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 | 39% | 25% | 3% | 25% | 8% | 1,783 |
Evangelical Protestant | 60% | 24% | 4% | 8% | 4% | 718 |
Mainline Protestant | 36% | 35% | 4% | 19% | 5% | 228 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 17% | 14% | 1% | 61% | 7% | 775 |
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 Latinos by interpretation of scripture
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 20% | 47% | 23% | 10% | 1,345 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 41% | 17% | 6% | 906 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 36% | 34% | 12% | 109 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 40% | 15% | 6% | 1,135 |
Other/don't know | 25% | 42% | 21% | 11% | 254 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by age group
Generational cohort among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 11% | 18% | 38% | 26% | 6% | 1% | 1,345 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 17% | 35% | 19% | 4% | < 1% | 906 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 14% | 32% | 38% | 8% | < 1% | 109 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 21% | 30% | 17% | 4% | < 1% | 1,135 |
Other/don't know | 14% | 23% | 31% | 24% | 8% | < 1% | 254 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by generational group
Gender composition among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 56% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 56% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 55% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 58% | 42% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 48% | 52% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by gender
Immigrant status among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 66% | 17% | 18% | 1,340 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 25% | 27% | 899 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 65% | 14% | 21% | 110 |
Not the word of God | 42% | 30% | 27% | 1,127 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 18% | 31% | 259 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by immigrant status
Income distribution among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 70% | 18% | 9% | 4% | 1,137 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 24% | 20% | 11% | 796 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 22% | 22% | 13% | 1,017 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 18% | 17% | 10% | 207 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by household income
Educational distribution among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 73% | 20% | 4% | 2% | 1,357 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 29% | 12% | 5% | 915 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 64% | 24% | 9% | 3% | 109 |
Not the word of God | 49% | 31% | 14% | 6% | 1,142 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 29% | 9% | 4% | 257 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by educational group
Marital status among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 11% | 16% | 5% | 21% | 1,366 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 10% | 13% | 3% | 35% | 919 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 6% | 20% | 3% | 26% | 111 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 12% | 11% | 2% | 41% | 1,147 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 15% | 22% | 3% | 25% | 257 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 55% | 1,367 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 59% | 917 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 62% | 111 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 67% | 1,144 |
Other/don't know | 40% | 60% | 256 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 69% | 27% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 71% | 25% | 3% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 70% | 24% | 1% | 4% | < 1% | 1% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 27% | 15% | 1% | 19% | 2% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 60% | 25% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 82% | 14% | 2% | 2% | < 1% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 30% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 81% | 17% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 36% | 17% | 21% | 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 55% | 26% | 9% | 6% | 4% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 56% | 29% | 14% | < 1% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 40% | 18% | < 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 52% | 25% | 23% | 1% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 38% | 47% | < 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 38% | 32% | 2% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 73% | 16% | 4% | 6% | 1% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 19% | 7% | 11% | < 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 77% | 9% | 2% | 12% | 1% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 16% | 10% | 42% | 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 19% | 8% | 16% | 3% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 41% | 15% | 9% | 34% | 1% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 28% | 16% | 10% | 45% | < 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 38% | 9% | 15% | 38% | < 1% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 6% | 6% | 79% | < 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 20% | 10% | 7% | 59% | 3% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 59% | 10% | 4% | 25% | 3% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 47% | 8% | 5% | 38% | 2% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 1% | 5% | 32% | 3% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 11% | 5% | 46% | 2% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 16% | 2% | 37% | 2% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 71% | 11% | 8% | 8% | 1% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 16% | 10% | 12% | 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 69% | 11% | 12% | 4% | 4% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 14% | 11% | 22% | 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 61% | 14% | 7% | 15% | 3% | 262 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 53% | 12% | 13% | 19% | 2% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 17% | 13% | 24% | < 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 44% | 9% | 13% | 23% | 10% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 52% | 15% | 11% | 21% | 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 10% | 11% | 22% | 4% | 262 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 53% | 7% | 27% | 11% | 2% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 11% | 41% | 10% | 2% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 4% | 39% | 7% | 13% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 11% | 18% | 50% | 19% | 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 11% | 50% | 9% | 7% | 262 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 32% | 64% | 1% | 3% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 30% | 68% | 1% | 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 56% | 6% | 10% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 79% | 1% | 2% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 74% | 5% | 2% | 262 |
Frequency of reading scripture among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 56% | 12% | 8% | 23% | 1% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 14% | 12% | 34% | 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 14% | 6% | 31% | 3% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 9% | 8% | 67% | 1% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 13% | 10% | 47% | 2% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by frequency of reading scripture
Belief in Heaven among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 89% | 7% | 4% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 86% | 10% | 4% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 9% | 13% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 49% | 43% | 8% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 16% | 22% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 75% | 19% | 6% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 70% | 25% | 5% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 67% | 15% | 18% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 57% | 7% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 30% | 22% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 24% | 32% | 43% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 24% | 50% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 42% | 39% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 19% | 25% | 56% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 17% | 36% | 47% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by political party
Political ideology among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 40% | 26% | 26% | 8% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 38% | 26% | 5% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 28% | 19% | 19% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 36% | 39% | 7% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 31% | 31% | 25% | 13% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by political ideology
Views about size of government among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 21% | 74% | 3% | 2% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 33% | 62% | 3% | 2% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 20% | 65% | 8% | 7% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 38% | 57% | 2% | 3% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 59% | 8% | 7% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 39% | 54% | 4% | 2% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 40% | 55% | 4% | 1% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 36% | 51% | 7% | 6% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 39% | 55% | 4% | 2% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 39% | 46% | 8% | 7% | 262 |
Views about abortion among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 30% | 65% | 5% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 54% | 2% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 59% | 13% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 67% | 29% | 4% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 42% | 13% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 53% | 38% | 4% | 4% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 67% | 26% | 5% | 3% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 58% | 19% | 12% | 12% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 84% | 12% | 3% | 2% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 21% | 10% | 6% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 39% | 50% | 10% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 56% | 37% | 8% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 42% | 34% | 24% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 76% | 18% | 6% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 33% | 16% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 41% | 51% | 2% | 6% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 34% | 61% | 2% | 3% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 52% | 3% | 15% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 66% | 2% | 4% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 47% | 6% | 9% | 262 |
Views about human evolution among Latinos by interpretation of scripture
% of Latinos 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 | 20% | 25% | 3% | 46% | 5% | 1,372 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 31% | 3% | 36% | 3% | 920 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 17% | 15% | 8% | 39% | 21% | 112 |
Not the word of God | 53% | 21% | 3% | 19% | 4% | 1,148 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 24% | 6% | 34% | 12% | 262 |
Switch Display To: interpretation of scripture among Latinos by views about human evolution