Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among independents and those who don't lean to either party
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 25% | 8% | 8% | 58% | 2% | 5,658 |
| 2007 | 23% | 7% | 6% | 61% | 3% | 5,770 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who attend prayer group…
| Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 21% | 11% | 10% | 58% | 1% | 1,158 |
| Evangelical Protestant | 44% | 10% | 9% | 35% | 2% | 1,230 |
| Historically Black Protestant | 46% | 14% | 5% | 34% | 1% | 184 |
| Jehovah's Witness | 89% | 1% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 188 |
| Mainline Protestant | 18% | 8% | 9% | 63% | 2% | 822 |
| Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 6% | 4% | 4% | 85% | < 1% | 1,474 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are ages…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 18% | 40% | 26% | 16% | 1,300 |
| Once or twice a month | 29% | 40% | 20% | 11% | 404 |
| Several times a year | 26% | 42% | 21% | 11% | 436 |
| Seldom/never | 28% | 37% | 22% | 12% | 3,167 |
Generational cohort among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 11% | 14% | 34% | 29% | 12% | 1% | 1,300 |
| Once or twice a month | 18% | 20% | 31% | 24% | 6% | 1% | 404 |
| Several times a year | 16% | 19% | 32% | 24% | 8% | < 1% | 436 |
| Seldom/never | 16% | 20% | 30% | 27% | 7% | 1% | 3,167 |
Gender composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Men | Women | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 40% | 60% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 43% | 57% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 47% | 53% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 54% | 46% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 41% | 59% | 103 |
Racial and ethnic composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who identify as…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 46% | 14% | 4% | 31% | 6% | 1,331 |
| Once or twice a month | 44% | 12% | 4% | 36% | 4% | 404 |
| Several times a year | 55% | 5% | 10% | 24% | 5% | 446 |
| Seldom/never | 65% | 6% | 5% | 19% | 5% | 3,208 |
Immigrant status among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 33% | 8% | 59% | 1,334 |
| Once or twice a month | 29% | 11% | 60% | 407 |
| Several times a year | 32% | 8% | 61% | 437 |
| Seldom/never | 18% | 10% | 72% | 3,199 |
Income distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who have a household income of…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 51% | 20% | 21% | 8% | 1,012 |
| Once or twice a month | 56% | 18% | 17% | 9% | 325 |
| Several times a year | 45% | 21% | 23% | 10% | 369 |
| Seldom/never | 46% | 20% | 21% | 13% | 2,596 |
Educational distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who have completed…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 55% | 29% | 10% | 6% | 1,351 |
| Once or twice a month | 56% | 28% | 9% | 7% | 412 |
| Several times a year | 46% | 27% | 17% | 10% | 448 |
| Seldom/never | 50% | 32% | 12% | 6% | 3,255 |
Marital status among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 54% | 4% | 14% | 7% | 20% | 1,357 |
| Once or twice a month | 43% | 13% | 15% | 6% | 23% | 416 |
| Several times a year | 47% | 10% | 12% | 7% | 24% | 456 |
| Seldom/never | 40% | 11% | 15% | 5% | 29% | 3,257 |
Parent of children under 18 among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 36% | 64% | 1,362 |
| Once or twice a month | 39% | 61% | 415 |
| Several times a year | 41% | 59% | 452 |
| Seldom/never | 29% | 71% | 3,285 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 86% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 77% | 18% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 74% | 18% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 48% | 25% | 8% | 1% | 14% | 4% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 57% | 11% | 1% | 13% | 3% | 15% | 103 |
Importance of religion in one's life among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 89% | 7% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 69% | 25% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 59% | 30% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 32% | 32% | 16% | 19% | 1% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 59% | 13% | 1% | 2% | 25% | 103 |
Attendance at religious services among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who attend religious services…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 83% | 11% | 6% | < 1% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 41% | 50% | 7% | 1% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 29% | 60% | 10% | 2% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 11% | 33% | 54% | 1% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 34% | 28% | 9% | 30% | 103 |
Frequency of prayer among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who pray…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 88% | 8% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 72% | 15% | 4% | 6% | 2% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 62% | 19% | 7% | 10% | 2% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 35% | 16% | 9% | 39% | 1% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 44% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 40% | 103 |
Frequency of meditation among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who meditate…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 68% | 4% | 2% | 23% | 3% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 48% | 15% | 3% | 31% | 3% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 37% | 11% | 7% | 41% | 4% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 31% | 8% | 4% | 55% | 2% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 38% | 4% | 2% | 19% | 37% | 103 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 86% | 6% | 3% | 4% | 2% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 68% | 17% | 6% | 7% | 1% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 55% | 19% | 14% | 9% | 3% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 46% | 14% | 10% | 27% | 3% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 51% | 9% | 3% | 4% | 32% | 103 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 60% | 11% | 7% | 19% | 4% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 52% | 18% | 11% | 18% | 2% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 40% | 17% | 18% | 24% | 2% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 42% | 12% | 12% | 32% | 2% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 36% | 13% | 5% | 18% | 28% | 103 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 62% | 6% | 24% | 3% | 5% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 46% | 10% | 36% | 6% | 3% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 33% | 11% | 43% | 8% | 5% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 17% | 11% | 57% | 11% | 4% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 34% | 6% | 31% | 5% | 24% | 103 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 41% | 54% | 2% | 3% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 32% | 64% | 2% | 1% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 31% | 65% | 2% | 2% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 24% | 72% | 2% | 2% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 35% | 52% | 5% | 7% | 103 |
Frequency of reading scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who read scripture…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 81% | 6% | 3% | 8% | 2% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 54% | 24% | 6% | 15% | < 1% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 33% | 16% | 27% | 23% | 1% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 13% | 8% | 7% | 72% | 1% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 44% | 3% | 6% | 11% | 36% | 103 |
Interpreting scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say the holy scripture is…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 55% | 25% | 6% | 7% | 6% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 45% | 21% | 3% | 19% | 11% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 33% | 30% | 6% | 19% | 11% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 18% | 21% | 3% | 46% | 13% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 32% | 15% | 10% | 9% | 34% | 103 |
Belief in Heaven among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …in heaven
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 81% | 11% | 8% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 82% | 9% | 9% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 78% | 13% | 9% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 60% | 28% | 11% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 69% | 7% | 25% | 103 |
Belief in Hell among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …in hell
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 64% | 27% | 9% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 67% | 23% | 10% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 59% | 28% | 12% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 45% | 43% | 12% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 60% | 14% | 27% | 103 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Political ideology among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 35% | 25% | 14% | 26% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 30% | 27% | 22% | 21% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 29% | 37% | 13% | 21% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 20% | 37% | 23% | 20% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 21% | 21% | 17% | 41% | 103 |
Views about size of government among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who would rather have…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 41% | 47% | 5% | 7% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 42% | 48% | 4% | 6% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 41% | 47% | 5% | 7% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 50% | 38% | 5% | 7% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 35% | 37% | 7% | 20% | 103 |
Views about government aid to the poor among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say government aid to the poor…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 39% | 49% | 8% | 4% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 42% | 51% | 6% | 2% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 38% | 51% | 6% | 5% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 43% | 47% | 6% | 4% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 41% | 36% | 8% | 16% | 103 |
Views about abortion among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say abortion should be…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 26% | 65% | 9% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 38% | 56% | 6% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 45% | 48% | 7% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 59% | 34% | 7% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 30% | 39% | 31% | 103 |
Views about homosexuality among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say homosexuality…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 33% | 53% | 8% | 7% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 51% | 36% | 7% | 6% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 53% | 28% | 9% | 10% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 72% | 17% | 5% | 5% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 33% | 39% | 7% | 21% | 103 |
Views about same-sex marriage among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …same-sex marriage
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 23% | 63% | 14% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 43% | 41% | 16% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 46% | 36% | 18% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 64% | 23% | 13% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 30% | 36% | 34% | 103 |
Views about environmental regulation among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 36% | 52% | 5% | 8% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 38% | 50% | 4% | 7% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 31% | 61% | 3% | 5% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 35% | 55% | 4% | 6% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 41% | 29% | 7% | 23% | 103 |
Views about human evolution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by attendance at prayer groups
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say humans…
| Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least once a week | 11% | 21% | 2% | 56% | 9% | 1,376 |
| Once or twice a month | 20% | 31% | 5% | 36% | 8% | 419 |
| Several times a year | 21% | 25% | 6% | 38% | 9% | 457 |
| Seldom/never | 41% | 22% | 7% | 23% | 6% | 3,303 |
| Don't know | 12% | 20% | 11% | 40% | 17% | 103 |