Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201454%39%3%4%21,904
200743%46%5%7%25,667
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.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

Views about size of government among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by religious group

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who would rather have…

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Catholic51%43%3%3%4,775
Evangelical Protestant65%29%3%3%7,594
Historically Black Protestant24%70%3%4%1,694
Jehovah's Witness31%51%4%14%221
Jewish44%49%3%3%277
Mainline Protestant60%33%3%4%3,989
Mormon79%18%1%1%576
Muslim20%74%4%2%192
Orthodox Christian61%38%1%1%113
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")47%46%3%4%1,805
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.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who are ages…

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services14%33%30%22%12,687
Bigger government; more services24%34%27%15%7,270
Depends12%35%33%20%659
Don't know12%31%27%30%808
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.

Generational cohort among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services9%11%28%36%15%1%12,687
Bigger government; more services15%15%28%31%10%1%7,270
Depends6%11%30%38%13%3%659
Don't know5%12%26%34%20%3%808
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.

Gender composition among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services50%50%12,958
Bigger government; more services36%64%7,417
Depends42%58%685
Don't know34%66%844
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.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who identify as…

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services80%7%2%8%3%12,738
Bigger government; more services42%27%4%22%4%7,343
Depends60%15%2%16%6%669
Don't know65%14%1%13%7%809
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.

Immigrant status among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services7%8%85%12,849
Bigger government; more services21%10%68%7,270
Depends14%8%78%672
Don't know12%6%82%823
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.

Income distribution among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who have a household income of…

Views about size of governmentLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Smaller government; fewer services25%22%32%20%11,215
Bigger government; more services51%20%19%10%6,484
Depends41%21%25%13%540
Don't know45%21%23%11%631
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.

Educational distribution among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who have completed…

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services37%36%18%10%12,891
Bigger government; more services52%29%12%8%7,373
Depends39%36%14%10%676
Don't know52%31%10%6%832
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.

Marital status among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services60%5%12%7%16%12,904
Bigger government; more services39%7%17%8%29%7,388
Depends51%6%14%11%17%677
Don't know50%5%15%13%17%835
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.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services29%71%12,904
Bigger government; more services32%68%7,396
Depends29%71%680
Don't know27%73%839
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.

BeliefsandPractices

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say religion is…

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services75%19%3%2%1%12,958
Bigger government; more services73%21%3%2%1%7,417
Depends73%19%3%3%1%685
Don't know73%16%3%5%2%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who attend religious services…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services52%31%16%< 1%12,958
Bigger government; more services45%36%18%1%7,417
Depends47%33%18%2%685
Don't know46%26%25%3%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who pray…

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services75%15%4%5%1%12,958
Bigger government; more services73%16%4%7%1%7,417
Depends76%14%2%6%2%685
Don't know74%11%4%7%4%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who attend prayer group…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services36%11%10%43%< 1%12,958
Bigger government; more services33%12%10%44%1%7,417
Depends32%9%8%49%2%685
Don't know32%8%9%48%2%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who meditate…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services48%6%3%40%2%12,958
Bigger government; more services48%9%4%38%2%7,417
Depends56%9%3%29%3%685
Don't know52%6%3%33%6%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services73%13%7%7%1%12,958
Bigger government; more services68%14%8%9%1%7,417
Depends75%10%5%8%2%685
Don't know71%9%8%8%4%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services47%16%11%24%2%12,958
Bigger government; more services46%15%11%27%1%7,417
Depends49%11%9%27%5%685
Don't know49%13%10%24%5%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about size of governmentReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services51%6%36%3%2%12,958
Bigger government; more services42%8%41%7%2%7,417
Depends42%10%36%3%8%685
Don't know40%5%38%4%12%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say…

Views about size of governmentThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services50%48%1%1%12,958
Bigger government; more services27%70%1%1%7,417
Depends33%58%8%2%685
Don't know32%62%3%3%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who read scripture…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services52%12%8%27%1%12,958
Bigger government; more services47%13%9%31%1%7,417
Depends49%11%7%31%2%685
Don't know49%11%7%30%3%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say the holy scripture is…

Views about size of governmentWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services41%36%4%14%6%12,958
Bigger government; more services47%29%3%15%6%7,417
Depends32%24%8%17%18%685
Don't know35%24%10%15%17%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who …in heaven

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services87%7%6%12,958
Bigger government; more services88%8%4%7,417
Depends79%8%13%685
Don't know79%7%14%844
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 adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who …in hell

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services74%19%7%12,958
Bigger government; more services72%22%6%7,417
Depends62%21%16%685
Don't know62%24%15%844
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.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who identify as…

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services62%15%23%12,958
Bigger government; more services20%20%60%7,417
Depends21%31%48%685
Don't know21%37%42%844
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.

Political ideology among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services58%28%10%4%12,958
Bigger government; more services30%34%28%8%7,417
Depends25%39%21%16%685
Don't know28%31%16%25%844
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.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say government aid to the poor…

Views about size of governmentDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services66%29%3%1%12,958
Bigger government; more services27%68%3%2%7,417
Depends28%47%21%4%685
Don't know30%46%10%13%844
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.

Views about abortion among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say abortion should be…

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services36%60%3%12,958
Bigger government; more services50%45%4%7,417
Depends48%39%14%685
Don't know41%42%17%844
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.

Views about homosexuality among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say homosexuality…

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services43%48%5%3%12,958
Bigger government; more services61%33%3%3%7,417
Depends52%29%12%7%685
Don't know42%35%9%14%844
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.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who …same-sex marriage

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services34%59%7%12,958
Bigger government; more services51%42%7%7,417
Depends43%39%18%685
Don't know37%44%19%844
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.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say…

Views about size of governmentStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services53%42%3%2%12,958
Bigger government; more services31%64%1%3%7,417
Depends19%62%10%9%685
Don't know25%51%9%15%844
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.

Views about human evolution among adults who believe in God with absolute certainty by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God with absolute certainty who say humans…

Views about size of governmentEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services13%30%3%50%4%12,958
Bigger government; more services22%30%3%41%5%7,417
Depends14%27%9%38%12%685
Don't know13%23%11%37%16%844
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.