Survey year | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 59% | 24% | 9% | 8% | 1% | 13,049 |
2007 | 58% | 26% | 9% | 7% | 1% | 13,662 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Importance of religion in one's life among baby Boomers by religious group
% of baby Boomers who say religion is…
Religious tradition | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 37% | 34% | 19% | 9% | 1% | 107 |
Catholic | 58% | 33% | 7% | 3% | < 1% | 2,905 |
Evangelical Protestant | 81% | 16% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 3,416 |
Historically Black Protestant | 90% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 749 |
Jewish | 35% | 36% | 23% | 7% | < 1% | 330 |
Mainline Protestant | 56% | 32% | 10% | 2% | 1% | 2,435 |
Mormon | 85% | 13% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 214 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 16% | 22% | 23% | 38% | 1% | 2,281 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Switch Display To: religious group among baby Boomers by importance of religion
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who are ages…
Importance of religion in one's life | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | < 1% | < 1% | 84% | 16% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | < 1% | < 1% | 84% | 16% | 3,086 |
Not too important | < 1% | < 1% | 84% | 16% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | < 1% | < 1% | 82% | 18% | 1,269 |
Don't know | < 1% | < 1% | 77% | 23% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by age group
Gender composition among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 57% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 53% | 47% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 59% | 41% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 63% | 37% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 59% | 41% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 67% | 16% | 2% | 12% | 4% | 7,245 |
Somewhat important | 79% | 5% | 3% | 10% | 4% | 3,051 |
Not too important | 87% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 2% | 1,222 |
Not at all important | 85% | 2% | 2% | 6% | 3% | 1,243 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 12% | 6% | 82% | 7,285 |
Somewhat important | 11% | 7% | 82% | 3,062 |
Not too important | 10% | 9% | 81% | 1,225 |
Not at all important | 11% | 10% | 80% | 1,261 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by immigrant status
Income distribution among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 35% | 20% | 27% | 17% | 6,443 |
Somewhat important | 30% | 19% | 28% | 24% | 2,773 |
Not too important | 21% | 15% | 33% | 30% | 1,132 |
Not at all important | 21% | 15% | 30% | 35% | 1,150 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by household income
Educational distribution among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who have completed…
Importance of religion in one's life | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 30% | 15% | 10% | 7,342 |
Somewhat important | 43% | 28% | 17% | 12% | 3,081 |
Not too important | 31% | 30% | 22% | 17% | 1,230 |
Not at all important | 30% | 26% | 23% | 20% | 1,261 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by educational group
Marital status among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 62% | 3% | 19% | 7% | 9% | 7,335 |
Somewhat important | 60% | 6% | 19% | 6% | 10% | 3,074 |
Not too important | 60% | 7% | 19% | 4% | 10% | 1,231 |
Not at all important | 56% | 8% | 21% | 5% | 11% | 1,265 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 14% | 86% | 7,349 |
Somewhat important | 13% | 87% | 3,080 |
Not too important | 11% | 89% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 9% | 91% | 1,267 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 54% | 37% | 5% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 24% | 36% | 17% | 1% | 15% | 6% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 19% | 15% | 10% | 1% | 48% | 7% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 64% | 9% | 4% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by belief in God
Attendance at religious services among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 59% | 29% | 11% | 1% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 13% | 52% | 35% | < 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 2% | 31% | 67% | < 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 3% | 9% | 88% | < 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 23% | 23% | 40% | 14% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 38% | 30% | 12% | 19% | 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 17% | 13% | 10% | 60% | < 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 12% | 6% | 4% | 77% | 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 55% | 10% | 2% | 12% | 21% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 42% | 11% | 10% | 36% | 1% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 6% | 6% | 7% | 81% | < 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 2% | 1% | 2% | 95% | < 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 3% | 1% | 1% | 95% | < 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 19% | 7% | 7% | 52% | 15% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 56% | 7% | 3% | 32% | 2% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 30% | 9% | 5% | 54% | 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 25% | 9% | 6% | 60% | < 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 28% | 7% | 5% | 59% | 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 55% | 6% | 4% | 19% | 16% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 79% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 20% | 16% | 20% | 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 31% | 15% | 15% | 37% | 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 39% | 11% | 8% | 38% | 3% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 58% | 14% | 7% | 8% | 12% | 100 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 52% | 14% | 10% | 21% | 2% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 38% | 17% | 16% | 29% | 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 38% | 17% | 15% | 29% | 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 51% | 11% | 13% | 25% | 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 47% | 12% | 5% | 19% | 16% | 100 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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% | 32% | 4% | 3% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 16% | 11% | 62% | 9% | 2% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 4% | 17% | 65% | 12% | 2% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 3% | 18% | 57% | 20% | 2% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 23% | 7% | 41% | 7% | 23% | 100 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 45% | 52% | 2% | 1% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 30% | 68% | 1% | 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 27% | 70% | 3% | < 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 22% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 26% | 64% | 2% | 8% | 100 |
Frequency of reading scripture among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 59% | 11% | 7% | 22% | 1% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 12% | 9% | 13% | 66% | < 1% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 4% | 4% | 6% | 86% | < 1% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 5% | 2% | 2% | 91% | < 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 27% | 2% | 6% | 47% | 17% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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% | 28% | 4% | 11% | 7% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 16% | 33% | 2% | 39% | 9% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 6% | 13% | 1% | 73% | 7% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 3% | 5% | 1% | 86% | 6% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 17% | 13% | 7% | 37% | 26% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who …in heaven
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 87% | 7% | 6% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 75% | 16% | 9% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 41% | 46% | 13% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 17% | 76% | 7% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 52% | 17% | 31% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who …in hell
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 73% | 19% | 8% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 54% | 36% | 10% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 27% | 63% | 10% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 11% | 83% | 6% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 25% | 47% | 28% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 15% | 41% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 37% | 16% | 46% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 31% | 16% | 52% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 23% | 17% | 60% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 30% | 32% | 38% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by political party
Political ideology among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 50% | 29% | 16% | 6% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 35% | 38% | 23% | 4% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 23% | 38% | 34% | 6% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 16% | 31% | 47% | 5% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 32% | 21% | 21% | 26% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by political ideology
Views about size of government among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 55% | 38% | 3% | 4% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 56% | 36% | 4% | 4% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 56% | 38% | 3% | 3% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 49% | 43% | 4% | 4% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 55% | 20% | 6% | 19% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 48% | 46% | 4% | 2% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 46% | 49% | 4% | 2% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 40% | 55% | 3% | 2% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 30% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 37% | 35% | 11% | 18% | 100 |
Views about abortion among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 40% | 56% | 4% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 67% | 28% | 5% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 81% | 15% | 4% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 86% | 11% | 3% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 50% | 26% | 24% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 71% | 22% | 4% | 3% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 79% | 16% | 2% | 3% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 84% | 11% | 2% | 2% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 51% | 27% | 8% | 13% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 59% | 33% | 8% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 72% | 21% | 7% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 80% | 15% | 5% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 39% | 35% | 26% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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 | 46% | 49% | 2% | 3% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 39% | 55% | 2% | 3% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 32% | 65% | 1% | 2% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 26% | 72% | 2% | 1% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 33% | 39% | 8% | 20% | 100 |
Views about human evolution among baby Boomers by importance of religion
% of baby Boomers 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% | 5% | 7,361 |
Somewhat important | 34% | 32% | 5% | 26% | 4% | 3,086 |
Not too important | 64% | 17% | 5% | 11% | 3% | 1,233 |
Not at all important | 75% | 9% | 3% | 10% | 2% | 1,269 |
Don't know | 29% | 18% | 8% | 28% | 17% | 100 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among baby Boomers by views about human evolution