Importance of religion in one's life among adults who attend services weekly or more
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say religion is…
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Survey year
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
2014
89%
9%
1%
1%
1%
13,155
2007
88%
10%
1%
< 1%
< 1%
14,919
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 who attend services weekly or more by religious group
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say religion is…
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Religious tradition
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
Catholic
84%
15%
1%
< 1%
< 1%
3,092
Evangelical Protestant
93%
6%
< 1%
< 1%
1%
5,177
Historically Black Protestant
95%
4%
< 1%
< 1%
< 1%
1,070
Jehovah's Witness
97%
3%
< 1%
< 1%
< 1%
207
Jewish
85%
13%
< 1%
1%
< 1%
148
Mainline Protestant
86%
12%
1%
< 1%
1%
2,192
Mormon
95%
5%
< 1%
< 1%
< 1%
514
Muslim
89%
8%
< 1%
< 1%
2%
105
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")
68%
16%
9%
6%
1%
284
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 who attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are ages…
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Importance of religion in one's life
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Very important
16%
32%
28%
24%
11,431
Somewhat important
25%
30%
24%
21%
1,189
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Younger Millennial
Older Millennial
Generation X
Baby Boomer
Silent
Greatest
Sample size
Very important
10%
11%
27%
34%
17%
2%
11,431
Somewhat important
18%
13%
25%
30%
13%
1%
1,189
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Men
Women
Sample size
Very important
42%
58%
11,722
Somewhat important
51%
49%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who identify as…
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Importance of religion in one's life
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Very important
63%
16%
2%
16%
4%
11,550
Somewhat important
63%
9%
4%
20%
4%
1,188
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Very important
16%
8%
76%
11,578
Somewhat important
18%
11%
71%
1,188
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who have a household income of…
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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%
21%
28%
16%
9,923
Somewhat important
34%
19%
28%
19%
1,046
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who have completed…
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Importance of religion in one's life
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Very important
42%
30%
17%
11%
11,650
Somewhat important
41%
29%
20%
11%
1,201
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Married
Living with a partner
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Never married
Sample size
Very important
59%
3%
12%
9%
18%
11,670
Somewhat important
49%
5%
10%
6%
29%
1,201
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Parents
Non-parents
Sample size
Very important
31%
69%
11,671
Somewhat important
29%
71%
1,200
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 who attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say they…
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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
90%
8%
1%
1%
< 1%
< 1%
11,722
Somewhat important
58%
35%
4%
1%
1%
1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who pray…
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Importance of religion in one's life
At least daily
Weekly
Monthly
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Very important
88%
10%
1%
1%
1%
11,722
Somewhat important
52%
32%
5%
10%
1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who attend prayer group…
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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
61%
13%
8%
17%
1%
11,722
Somewhat important
32%
16%
10%
42%
< 1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who meditate…
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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%
7%
3%
28%
2%
11,722
Somewhat important
35%
12%
5%
47%
1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
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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
83%
9%
4%
3%
1%
11,722
Somewhat important
53%
23%
10%
13%
1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
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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
51%
16%
10%
21%
2%
11,722
Somewhat important
38%
18%
15%
27%
1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
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Importance of religion in one's life
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Very important
66%
5%
24%
3%
3%
11,722
Somewhat important
21%
13%
54%
9%
2%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say…
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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
48%
49%
2%
1%
11,722
Somewhat important
25%
73%
1%
1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who read scripture…
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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
74%
10%
5%
11%
1%
11,722
Somewhat important
33%
14%
11%
41%
< 1%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say the holy scripture is…
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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
55%
30%
4%
6%
5%
11,722
Somewhat important
22%
40%
2%
28%
7%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who …in heaven
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Importance of religion in one's life
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Very important
88%
6%
6%
11,722
Somewhat important
82%
11%
7%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who …in hell
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Importance of religion in one's life
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Very important
77%
15%
7%
11,722
Somewhat important
62%
31%
7%
1,206
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 who attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who identify as…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Very important
47%
17%
36%
11,722
Somewhat important
39%
17%
44%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Don't know
Sample size
Very important
53%
27%
14%
6%
11,722
Somewhat important
32%
41%
22%
5%
1,206
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 who attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who would rather have…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Very important
56%
38%
3%
3%
11,722
Somewhat important
50%
43%
2%
4%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say government aid to the poor…
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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
50%
44%
4%
2%
11,722
Somewhat important
44%
50%
4%
2%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say abortion should be…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Very important
30%
66%
4%
11,722
Somewhat important
55%
42%
4%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say homosexuality…
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Importance of religion in one's life
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Very important
37%
54%
5%
4%
11,722
Somewhat important
66%
27%
3%
3%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who …same-sex marriage
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Importance of religion in one's life
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Very important
28%
65%
7%
11,722
Somewhat important
57%
35%
8%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say…
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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
45%
49%
3%
4%
11,722
Somewhat important
35%
60%
2%
3%
1,206
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 attend services weekly or more by importance of religion
% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say humans…
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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
11%
26%
3%
55%
6%
11,722
Somewhat important
31%
31%
4%
30%
3%
1,206
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.