Interpreting scripture among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 34% | 30% | 3% | 27% | 6% | 15,591 |
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by religious group
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 25% | 40% | 3% | 25% | 7% | 3,398 |
Evangelical Protestant | 58% | 28% | 4% | 6% | 3% | 4,997 |
Historically Black Protestant | 58% | 25% | 2% | 9% | 6% | 502 |
Jewish | 20% | 36% | 3% | 32% | 9% | 228 |
Mainline Protestant | 26% | 39% | 3% | 24% | 8% | 2,822 |
Mormon | 35% | 55% | 5% | 3% | 2% | 418 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 10% | 14% | 1% | 68% | 7% | 2,566 |
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 13% | 34% | 31% | 22% | 5,121 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 34% | 26% | 18% | 4,815 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 13% | 33% | 30% | 24% | 443 |
Not the word of God | 29% | 36% | 22% | 13% | 3,964 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 36% | 26% | 20% | 938 |
Generational cohort among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 8% | 10% | 29% | 36% | 15% | 1% | 5,121 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 14% | 13% | 28% | 32% | 12% | 1% | 4,815 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 8% | 7% | 31% | 35% | 18% | 1% | 443 |
Not the word of God | 18% | 18% | 28% | 26% | 9% | 1% | 3,964 |
Other/don't know | 8% | 17% | 28% | 32% | 13% | 2% | 938 |
Gender composition among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 47% | 53% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 51% | 49% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 55% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 62% | 38% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 47% | 987 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 70% | 11% | 2% | 15% | 3% | 5,167 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 78% | 6% | 3% | 10% | 3% | 4,827 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 76% | 5% | 3% | 12% | 4% | 452 |
Not the word of God | 73% | 4% | 5% | 14% | 3% | 3,956 |
Other/don't know | 68% | 8% | 5% | 14% | 5% | 953 |
Immigrant status among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 13% | 7% | 80% | 5,164 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 10% | 9% | 81% | 4,846 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 13% | 9% | 79% | 459 |
Not the word of God | 14% | 12% | 74% | 3,981 |
Other/don't know | 16% | 9% | 75% | 961 |
Income distribution among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 34% | 24% | 28% | 14% | 4,453 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 20% | 34% | 24% | 4,308 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 18% | 34% | 19% | 355 |
Not the word of God | 23% | 20% | 32% | 25% | 3,621 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 19% | 30% | 22% | 781 |
Educational distribution among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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% | 31% | 13% | 5% | 5,201 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 35% | 19% | 10% | 4,873 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 38% | 14% | 8% | 464 |
Not the word of God | 37% | 33% | 19% | 11% | 4,005 |
Other/don't know | 35% | 40% | 16% | 9% | 971 |
Marital status among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 59% | 4% | 13% | 8% | 16% | 5,212 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 58% | 5% | 10% | 5% | 22% | 4,868 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 65% | 2% | 9% | 10% | 15% | 459 |
Not the word of God | 46% | 10% | 10% | 4% | 29% | 4,005 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 7% | 13% | 8% | 20% | 967 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 30% | 70% | 5,213 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 68% | 4,866 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 30% | 70% | 461 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 73% | 4,009 |
Other/don't know | 29% | 71% | 978 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 90% | 8% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 77% | 20% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 86% | 11% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 31% | 31% | 12% | 1% | 21% | 5% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 63% | 22% | 3% | 2% | 4% | 6% | 987 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 84% | 13% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 31% | 5% | 2% | < 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 15% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 17% | 33% | 24% | 26% | < 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 32% | 12% | 8% | 2% | 987 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 62% | 26% | 12% | < 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 40% | 17% | < 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 56% | 26% | 16% | 1% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 9% | 34% | 57% | < 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 23% | 43% | 31% | 2% | 987 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 81% | 12% | 3% | 4% | < 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 62% | 22% | 7% | 9% | < 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 10% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 16% | 9% | 51% | < 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 16% | 7% | 21% | 4% | 987 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 47% | 13% | 9% | 31% | 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 25% | 11% | 11% | 53% | < 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 10% | 8% | 40% | 2% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 5% | 3% | 5% | 87% | < 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 13% | 9% | 9% | 66% | 3% | 987 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 51% | 6% | 3% | 37% | 2% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 8% | 4% | 51% | 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 7% | 3% | 39% | 6% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 26% | 9% | 4% | 60% | 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 36% | 8% | 4% | 47% | 4% | 987 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 76% | 10% | 6% | 7% | 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 60% | 18% | 10% | 11% | 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 72% | 10% | 10% | 5% | 3% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 40% | 16% | 12% | 30% | 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 53% | 14% | 10% | 18% | 5% | 987 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 46% | 15% | 10% | 27% | 2% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 42% | 18% | 14% | 26% | 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 13% | 14% | 29% | 5% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 16% | 14% | 27% | 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 14% | 13% | 28% | 3% | 987 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 63% | 4% | 28% | 4% | 2% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 7% | 47% | 5% | 2% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 5% | 33% | 3% | 9% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 7% | 14% | 65% | 13% | 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 10% | 55% | 6% | 5% | 987 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 56% | 42% | 1% | 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 44% | 55% | 1% | < 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 42% | 4% | 2% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 27% | 71% | 1% | 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 62% | 3% | 2% | 987 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 63% | 11% | 6% | 19% | 1% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 13% | 11% | 39% | < 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 59% | 8% | 8% | 23% | 1% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 6% | 8% | 78% | < 1% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 13% | 9% | 50% | 3% | 987 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 90% | 5% | 5% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 90% | 6% | 4% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 82% | 5% | 13% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 44% | 9% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 69% | 13% | 19% | 987 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 84% | 10% | 6% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 74% | 20% | 6% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 76% | 11% | 14% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 33% | 59% | 8% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 28% | 20% | 987 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 61% | 15% | 24% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 14% | 22% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 58% | 21% | 20% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 49% | 20% | 31% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 45% | 29% | 26% | 987 |
Political ideology among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 64% | 20% | 10% | 5% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 54% | 32% | 10% | 3% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 60% | 19% | 9% | 12% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 41% | 20% | 6% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 42% | 32% | 12% | 13% | 987 |
Views about size of government among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 68% | 28% | 1% | 2% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 78% | 20% | 1% | 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 73% | 16% | 4% | 7% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 74% | 22% | 1% | 2% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 68% | 22% | 4% | 6% | 987 |
Views about abortion among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 26% | 71% | 3% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 56% | 2% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 65% | 11% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 71% | 26% | 3% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 51% | 38% | 11% | 987 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 31% | 62% | 4% | 3% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 36% | 4% | 3% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 28% | 53% | 10% | 9% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 79% | 16% | 3% | 2% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 58% | 27% | 9% | 6% | 987 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 20% | 73% | 6% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 43% | 49% | 8% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 20% | 65% | 15% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 70% | 23% | 7% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 36% | 17% | 987 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 59% | 36% | 2% | 3% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 53% | 45% | 2% | 1% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 31% | 6% | 9% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 51% | 2% | 2% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 42% | 5% | 6% | 987 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 10% | 20% | 2% | 65% | 4% | 5,232 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 19% | 38% | 3% | 38% | 3% | 4,885 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 9% | 18% | 4% | 55% | 14% | 467 |
Not the word of God | 59% | 20% | 4% | 15% | 2% | 4,020 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 26% | 12% | 27% | 9% | 987 |