Survey year | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 68% | 25% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 25,048 |
2007 | 66% | 26% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 28,279 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who are ages…
Importance of religion in one's life | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 15% | 32% | 30% | 23% | 16,653 |
Somewhat important | 22% | 34% | 27% | 16% | 5,920 |
Not too important | 22% | 34% | 26% | 18% | 1,414 |
Not at all important | 22% | 31% | 29% | 18% | 398 |
Don't know | 4% | 35% | 27% | 34% | 135 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by age group
Generational cohort among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 9% | 11% | 27% | 35% | 15% | 2% | 16,653 |
Somewhat important | 15% | 13% | 28% | 33% | 10% | 1% | 5,920 |
Not too important | 15% | 12% | 29% | 32% | 11% | 1% | 1,414 |
Not at all important | 13% | 13% | 26% | 35% | 12% | 1% | 398 |
Don't know | 1% | 8% | 30% | 38% | 20% | 2% | 135 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by generational group
Gender composition among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 42% | 58% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 50% | 50% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 60% | 40% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 69% | 31% | 410 |
Don't know | 47% | 53% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 62% | 16% | 2% | 16% | 4% | 16,822 |
Somewhat important | 72% | 7% | 2% | 17% | 3% | 5,962 |
Not too important | 82% | 4% | 3% | 10% | 2% | 1,413 |
Not at all important | 74% | 5% | < 1% | 17% | 4% | 405 |
Don't know | 68% | 10% | < 1% | 17% | 4% | 135 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 15% | 8% | 77% | 16,839 |
Somewhat important | 13% | 11% | 76% | 5,954 |
Not too important | 9% | 11% | 79% | 1,416 |
Not at all important | 16% | 13% | 71% | 402 |
Don't know | 23% | 3% | 74% | 138 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by immigrant status
Income distribution among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who have a household income of…
Importance of religion in one's life | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 38% | 21% | 26% | 15% | 14,530 |
Somewhat important | 31% | 21% | 27% | 21% | 5,352 |
Not too important | 26% | 18% | 31% | 25% | 1,268 |
Not at all important | 35% | 17% | 27% | 21% | 368 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by household income
Educational distribution among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who have completed…
Importance of religion in one's life | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 44% | 32% | 15% | 9% | 16,952 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 32% | 17% | 9% | 5,986 |
Not too important | 37% | 29% | 21% | 13% | 1,418 |
Not at all important | 42% | 31% | 18% | 9% | 405 |
Don't know | 47% | 27% | 14% | 12% | 137 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by educational group
Marital status among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 54% | 5% | 14% | 9% | 18% | 16,976 |
Somewhat important | 47% | 9% | 13% | 6% | 25% | 5,998 |
Not too important | 50% | 9% | 11% | 4% | 26% | 1,420 |
Not at all important | 39% | 9% | 18% | 8% | 27% | 407 |
Don't know | 54% | 3% | 19% | 9% | 14% | 137 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 30% | 70% | 16,982 |
Somewhat important | 30% | 70% | 5,998 |
Not too important | 25% | 75% | 1,422 |
Not at all important | 21% | 79% | 407 |
Don't know | 22% | 78% | 142 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say they…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 89% | 9% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 55% | 37% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 25% | 44% | 18% | 1% | 6% | 5% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 37% | 19% | 20% | 1% | 20% | 4% | 410 |
Don't know | 67% | 18% | 1% | 10% | < 1% | 4% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by belief in God
Attendance at religious services among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who attend religious services…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 63% | 28% | 9% | 1% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 16% | 58% | 25% | < 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 3% | 43% | 54% | < 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 11% | 21% | 67% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 45% | 20% | 21% | 13% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who pray…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 83% | 12% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 40% | 31% | 12% | 16% | 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 18% | 17% | 13% | 51% | < 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 27% | 10% | 6% | 56% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 62% | 11% | 5% | 5% | 17% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who attend prayer group…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 13% | 10% | 33% | 1% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 8% | 8% | 9% | 75% | < 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 3% | 1% | 2% | 94% | < 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 10% | 3% | 6% | 80% | < 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 24% | 9% | 14% | 42% | 12% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who meditate…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 54% | 7% | 3% | 34% | 2% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 26% | 10% | 6% | 57% | 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 20% | 9% | 5% | 66% | 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 29% | 6% | 4% | 60% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 58% | 4% | 2% | 20% | 16% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 77% | 11% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 23% | 16% | 18% | 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 30% | 17% | 18% | 34% | 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 41% | 10% | 10% | 38% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 58% | 13% | 8% | 10% | 11% | 143 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 49% | 15% | 11% | 23% | 2% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 36% | 18% | 17% | 29% | 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 35% | 16% | 17% | 31% | 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 42% | 12% | 14% | 31% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 47% | 9% | 8% | 21% | 15% | 143 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Importance of religion in one's life | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 57% | 5% | 31% | 4% | 3% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 16% | 12% | 62% | 9% | 2% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 5% | 15% | 66% | 12% | 2% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 9% | 16% | 56% | 17% | 3% | 410 |
Don't know | 33% | 7% | 33% | 3% | 23% | 143 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 44% | 54% | 2% | 1% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 28% | 70% | 1% | 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 25% | 73% | 2% | 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 24% | 73% | 2% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 35% | 59% | 2% | 5% | 143 |
Frequency of reading scripture among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who read scripture…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 60% | 12% | 8% | 19% | 1% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 14% | 12% | 14% | 59% | < 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 6% | 5% | 6% | 83% | < 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 16% | 6% | 4% | 73% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 39% | 7% | 11% | 28% | 15% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say the holy scripture is…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 51% | 32% | 4% | 8% | 6% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 17% | 40% | 2% | 33% | 9% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 7% | 21% | < 1% | 64% | 8% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 13% | 16% | 2% | 63% | 7% | 410 |
Don't know | 26% | 20% | 8% | 24% | 22% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who …in heaven
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 89% | 5% | 5% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 82% | 11% | 7% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 59% | 31% | 10% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 48% | 46% | 6% | 410 |
Don't know | 64% | 7% | 29% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who …in hell
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 76% | 16% | 8% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 62% | 30% | 8% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 43% | 48% | 9% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 38% | 57% | 6% | 410 |
Don't know | 44% | 27% | 28% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 17% | 38% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 40% | 17% | 43% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 38% | 14% | 47% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 34% | 19% | 46% | 410 |
Don't know | 27% | 38% | 35% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by political party
Political ideology among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 49% | 29% | 15% | 6% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 33% | 39% | 23% | 5% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 27% | 41% | 28% | 5% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 27% | 31% | 34% | 8% | 410 |
Don't know | 28% | 30% | 17% | 24% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by political ideology
Views about size of government among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who would rather have…
Importance of religion in one's life | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 54% | 40% | 3% | 4% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 54% | 40% | 3% | 3% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 58% | 37% | 2% | 2% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 53% | 39% | 4% | 4% | 410 |
Don't know | 47% | 29% | 7% | 17% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say government aid to the poor…
Importance of religion in one's life | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 49% | 45% | 4% | 2% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 48% | 48% | 3% | 1% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 48% | 48% | 3% | 1% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 42% | 53% | 5% | 1% | 410 |
Don't know | 36% | 39% | 9% | 16% | 143 |
Views about abortion among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say abortion should be…
Importance of religion in one's life | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 35% | 60% | 4% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 63% | 33% | 4% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 76% | 21% | 3% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 68% | 28% | 4% | 410 |
Don't know | 34% | 40% | 27% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say homosexuality…
Importance of religion in one's life | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 44% | 47% | 5% | 4% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 73% | 21% | 4% | 3% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 81% | 15% | 2% | 2% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 70% | 23% | 4% | 3% | 410 |
Don't know | 42% | 26% | 9% | 23% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who …same-sex marriage
Importance of religion in one's life | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 34% | 58% | 8% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 63% | 29% | 8% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 73% | 21% | 6% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 61% | 32% | 7% | 410 |
Don't know | 32% | 39% | 29% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 44% | 50% | 3% | 4% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 39% | 56% | 2% | 2% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 36% | 61% | 1% | 2% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 38% | 58% | 1% | 3% | 410 |
Don't know | 34% | 44% | 7% | 16% | 143 |
Views about human evolution among Christians by importance of religion
% of Christians who say humans…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 13% | 29% | 3% | 50% | 6% | 17,053 |
Somewhat important | 34% | 33% | 4% | 26% | 3% | 6,016 |
Not too important | 59% | 19% | 5% | 14% | 3% | 1,426 |
Not at all important | 50% | 17% | 4% | 23% | 5% | 410 |
Don't know | 18% | 18% | 13% | 33% | 17% | 143 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Christians by views about human evolution