Religious composition of whites who are ages 65+
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who say they…
| Survey year | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 69% | 17% | 4% | 1% | 7% | 2% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 77% | 13% | 3% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who say religion is…
| Survey year | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 62% | 21% | 8% | 8% | 1% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 67% | 20% | 6% | 6% | 1% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who attend religious services…
| Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 47% | 25% | 28% | 1% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 52% | 24% | 22% | 1% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who pray…
| Survey year | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 62% | 14% | 4% | 19% | 1% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 66% | 13% | 4% | 15% | 2% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who attend prayer group…
| Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 27% | 7% | 8% | 57% | 1% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 26% | 7% | 7% | 58% | 1% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who meditate…
| Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 51% | 7% | 4% | 35% | 3% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 54% | 7% | 4% | 30% | 5% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
| Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 64% | 11% | 7% | 16% | 2% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 58% | 11% | 9% | 15% | 6% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
| Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 45% | 12% | 12% | 27% | 3% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 40% | 12% | 12% | 29% | 7% | 7,136 |
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.
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
| Survey year | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 39% | 8% | 44% | 6% | 3% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 33% | 6% | 52% | 4% | 5% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who say…
| Survey year | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 39% | 58% | 2% | 2% | 7,815 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who read scripture…
| Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 39% | 8% | 7% | 44% | 1% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 41% | 9% | 7% | 42% | 2% | 7,136 |
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.
Interpreting scripture among whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ 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 | 33% | 28% | 4% | 27% | 8% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 37% | 27% | 5% | 20% | 11% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who …in heaven
| Survey year | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 73% | 19% | 8% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 74% | 15% | 11% | 7,136 |
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 whites who are ages 65+
% of whites who are ages 65+ who …in hell
| Survey year | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 55% | 35% | 10% | 7,815 |
| 2007 | 55% | 30% | 15% | 7,136 |
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.
