Belief in Heaven among adults in the Greatest generation
% of adults in the Greatest generation who …in heaven
Chart
Trends
Table
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Survey year
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
2014
69%
22%
9%
585
2007
72%
14%
14%
2,001
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 in the Greatest generation by religious group
% of adults in the Greatest generation who …in heaven
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Table
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Religious tradition
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Catholic
79%
15%
6%
142
Evangelical Protestant
86%
7%
6%
130
Mainline Protestant
70%
18%
13%
178
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.
Age distribution among adults in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who are ages…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Believe
< 1%
< 1%
< 1%
100%
388
Don't believe
< 1%
< 1%
< 1%
100%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who are…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Men
Women
Sample size
Believe
34%
66%
388
Don't believe
52%
48%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who identify as…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Believe
84%
10%
1%
4%
1%
383
Don't believe
89%
4%
4%
4%
< 1%
130
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who are…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Believe
5%
18%
77%
382
Don't believe
9%
39%
52%
132
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who have a household income of…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Less than $30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000 or more
Sample size
Believe
59%
24%
14%
3%
281
Don't believe
40%
24%
21%
16%
102
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who have completed…
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Belief in Heaven
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Believe
64%
23%
9%
5%
386
Don't believe
53%
16%
14%
17%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who are…
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Belief in Heaven
Married
Living with a partner
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Never married
Sample size
Believe
28%
< 1%
2%
67%
3%
387
Don't believe
39%
< 1%
10%
50%
1%
132
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who are…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Parents
Non-parents
Sample size
Believe
< 1%
100%
387
Don't believe
3%
97%
133
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 God among adults in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say they…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
83%
10%
2%
5%
< 1%
< 1%
388
Don't believe
22%
30%
13%
1%
30%
4%
133
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 adults in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say religion is…
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Belief in Heaven
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
88%
11%
1%
< 1%
< 1%
388
Don't believe
25%
24%
27%
23%
2%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who attend religious services…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month/a few times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
62%
19%
19%
1%
388
Don't believe
22%
31%
46%
< 1%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who pray…
Chart
Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least daily
Weekly
Monthly
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
83%
10%
1%
4%
2%
388
Don't believe
27%
10%
4%
59%
1%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who attend prayer group…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
35%
7%
9%
47%
2%
388
Don't believe
15%
5%
2%
78%
1%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who meditate…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
70%
7%
3%
15%
5%
388
Don't believe
34%
8%
4%
51%
3%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Chart
Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
82%
6%
4%
7%
1%
388
Don't believe
40%
9%
9%
40%
1%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
47%
11%
9%
29%
4%
388
Don't believe
36%
7%
19%
34%
4%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Chart
Table
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Belief in Heaven
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
49%
4%
41%
3%
3%
388
Don't believe
16%
12%
50%
17%
5%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
38%
56%
1%
5%
388
Don't believe
15%
75%
2%
8%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who read scripture…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
56%
11%
5%
26%
2%
388
Don't believe
14%
6%
7%
71%
2%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say the holy scripture is…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
58%
25%
6%
3%
9%
388
Don't believe
13%
8%
1%
65%
13%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who …in hell
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Believe
68%
20%
13%
388
Don't believe
12%
84%
4%
133
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.
Party affiliation among adults in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who identify as…
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Belief in Heaven
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Believe
45%
10%
45%
388
Don't believe
25%
14%
62%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who are…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
50%
32%
13%
5%
388
Don't believe
24%
37%
36%
3%
133
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 size of government among adults in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who would rather have…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
56%
30%
5%
8%
388
Don't believe
48%
39%
7%
6%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say government aid to the poor…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Does more harm than good
Does more good than harm
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
41%
50%
3%
6%
388
Don't believe
28%
62%
4%
6%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say abortion should be…
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Belief in Heaven
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
35%
55%
10%
388
Don't believe
70%
25%
5%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say homosexuality…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
33%
56%
4%
8%
388
Don't believe
54%
37%
6%
4%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who …same-sex marriage
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
22%
65%
13%
388
Don't believe
52%
36%
12%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
40%
41%
6%
13%
388
Don't believe
24%
59%
2%
15%
133
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 in the Greatest generation by belief in heaven
% of adults in the Greatest generation who say humans…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
16%
15%
6%
47%
16%
388
Don't believe
41%
9%
4%
31%
15%
133
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.