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Religious Landscape Study

Religious Landscape Study

ReligionsGeographyTopics & QuestionsUser Guide

Religious composition of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

Christian 64%
Evangelical Protestant 16%
Baptist Family (Evangelical Trad.) 5%
Southern Baptist Convention 3%
Independent Baptist (Evangelical Trad.) 2%
Missionary Baptist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Conservative Baptist Association of America< 1%
Free Will Baptist< 1%
General Association of Regular Baptist Churches< 1%
Other Baptist (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Methodist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Family (Evangelical Trad.) 2%
Nondenominational evangelical 1%
Nondenominational fundamentalist< 1%
Nondenominational charismatic< 1%
Nondenominational Christian (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Interdenominational (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Community Church (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Other Nondenominational (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Lutheran Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 1%
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod< 1%
Other Lutheran (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Presbyterian Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Presbyterian Church in America< 1%
Other Presbyterian (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Pentecostal Family (Evangelical Trad.) 2%
Assemblies of God< 1%
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)< 1%
Foursquare Church< 1%
Pentecostal Church of God< 1%
Pentecostal Holiness Church< 1%
Calvary Chapel< 1%
Apostolic Pentecostal (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Pentecostal (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Church of God of the Apostolic Faith< 1%
Other Pentecostal (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Episcopalian/Anglican Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Restorationist Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Churches of Christ 1%
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ< 1%
Other Restorationist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Congregationalist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference< 1%
Other Congregationalist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Holiness Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Church of the Nazarene< 1%
Wesleyan Church< 1%
Free Methodist Church< 1%
Christian and Missionary Alliance< 1%
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)< 1%
Other Holiness (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Reformed Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Christian Reformed Church< 1%
Other Reformed (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Adventist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Seventh-day Adventist< 1%
Other Adventist (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Anabaptist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Pietist Family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Other evangelical/fundamentalist family (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Nonspecific Protestant Family (Evangelical Trad.) 2%
Mainline Protestant 19%
Baptist Family (Mainline Trad.) 3%
American Baptist Churches USA 1%
Other Baptist (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Methodist Family (Mainline Trad.) 4%
United Methodist Church 3%
Other Methodist (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Nondenominational Family (Mainline Trad.) 2%
Interdenominational (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Other Nondenominational (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Lutheran Family (Mainline Trad.) 2%
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 1%
Other Lutheran (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Presbyterian Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Presbyterian Church (USA) 1%
Other Presbyterian (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Episcopalian/Anglican Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Episcopal Church 1%
Anglican Church< 1%
Other Episcopalian/Anglican (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Restorationist Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Disciples of Christ< 1%
Other Restorationist (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Congregationalist Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
United Church of Christ< 1%
Other Congregationalist (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Reformed Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Reformed Church in America< 1%
Other Reformed (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Anabaptist Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Friends Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Nonspecific Protestant Family (Mainline Trad.) 5%
Historically Black Protestant 2%
Baptist Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.) 1%
National Baptist Convention< 1%
Progressive Baptist Convention< 1%
Independent Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Missionary Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Other Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Methodist Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
African Methodist Episcopal Church< 1%
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church< 1%
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church< 1%
Other Methodist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Pentecostal Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Church of God in Christ< 1%
Apostolic Pentecostal (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
United Pentecostal Church International< 1%
Other Pentecostal (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Holiness Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Nonspecific Protestant Family (Historically Black Protestant Trad.)< 1%
Catholic 26%
Mormon< 1%
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints< 1%
Other Mormon< 1%
Orthodox Christian 1%
Greek Orthodox< 1%
Russian Orthodox< 1%
Orthodox Church in America< 1%
Other Orthodox Christian< 1%
Jehovah's Witness 1%
Other Christian< 1%
Metaphysical Family< 1%
Spiritualist< 1%
Unity Church< 1%
Other Metaphysical Christian ("Other Christian" Trad.)< 1%
Others in the "Other Christian" Tradition< 1%
Non-Christian Faiths 7%
Jewish 1%
Muslim< 1%
Buddhist 1%
Hindu 2%
Other World Religions 1%
Other Faiths 2%
Unitarians and other liberal faiths in the "Other Faiths" Tradition 1%
Unitarian< 1%
Humanist< 1%
Deist< 1%
Spiritual but not religious< 1%
Eclectic, a bit of everything, "I have my own beliefs"< 1%
Other in the "Unitarian and other liberal faiths" family< 1%
New Age 1%
Pagan or Wiccan 1%
Other in the New Age family< 1%
Native American Religions< 1%
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") 27%
Atheist 1%
Agnostic 2%
Nothing in particular 24%
Nothing in particular (religion not important)< 1%
Nothing in particular (religion important) 24%
Don't know 2%

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who are ages…

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Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201428%39%23%10%1,341
200725%44%20%11%1,398
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.

Compare: age group by importance of religionage group by political party

Generational cohort among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who are…

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Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201416%20%31%27%6%1%1,341
2007< 1%19%37%31%12%2%1,398
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.

Compare: generational group by importance of religiongenerational group by political party

Gender composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who are…

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Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201451%49%1,399
200753%47%1,480
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.

Compare: gender by importance of religiongender by political party

Racial and ethnic composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who identify as…

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Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201462%4%5%22%6%1,361
200769%5%3%18%4%1,441
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.

Compare: race/ethnicity by importance of religionrace/ethnicity by political party

Immigrant status among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who are…

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Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
201420%10%69%1,356
200717%8%74%1,440
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.

Compare: immigrant status by importance of religionimmigrant status by political party

Income distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who have a household income of…

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Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201446%19%22%12%1,129
200740%23%26%12%1,066
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.

Compare: household income by importance of religionhousehold income by political party

Educational distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who have completed…

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Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201450%32%12%7%1,380
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.

Compare: educational group by importance of religioneducational group by political party

Marital status among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who are…

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Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201442%13%15%4%26%1,382
200750%10%13%6%21%1,459
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.

Compare: marital status by importance of religionmarital status by political party

Parent of children under 18 among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who are…

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Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201433%67%1,392
200738%62%1,467
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.

Compare: parental status by importance of religionparental status by political party

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say they…

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Survey yearBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
201452%34%7%2%3%2%1,399
200757%30%4%1%3%4%1,480
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.

Compare: belief in God by importance of religionbelief in God by political party

Attendance at religious services among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who attend religious services…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201412%48%39%1%1,399
200716%47%35%1%1,480
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.

Compare: religious attendance by importance of religionreligious attendance by political party

Frequency of prayer among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who pray…

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Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201436%24%12%26%1%1,399
200737%26%10%24%3%1,480
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.

Compare: frequency of prayer by importance of religionfrequency of prayer by political party

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who attend prayer group…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20147%8%9%75%1%1,399
20078%6%6%79%2%1,480
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.

Compare: attendance at prayer groups by importance of religionattendance at prayer groups by political party

Frequency of meditation among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who meditate…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201428%9%6%56%1%1,399
200726%8%4%59%4%1,480
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.

Compare: frequency of meditation by importance of religionfrequency of meditation by political party

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201443%19%13%23%2%1,399
200731%16%18%30%5%1,480
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.

Compare: frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing by importance of religionfrequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing by political party

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201437%16%14%31%1%1,399
200729%12%17%38%5%1,480
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.

Compare: frequency feeling a sense of wonder about the universe by importance of religionfrequency feeling a sense of wonder about the universe by political party

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

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Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201414%11%62%10%3%1,399
20079%9%68%7%6%1,480
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.

Compare: sources of guidance on right and wrong by importance of religionsources of guidance on right and wrong by political party

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say…

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Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201424%73%1%2%1,399
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.

Compare: belief in existence of standards for right and wrong by importance of religionbelief in existence of standards for right and wrong by political party

Frequency of reading scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who read scripture…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201414%11%11%64%1%1,399
200712%10%9%66%2%1,480
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.

Compare: frequency of reading scripture by importance of religionfrequency of reading scripture by political party

Interpreting scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say the holy scripture is…

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Survey yearWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
201417%30%3%36%14%1,399
200718%29%4%32%17%1,480
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.

Compare: interpretation of scripture by importance of religioninterpretation of scripture by political party

Belief in Heaven among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who …in heaven

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Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201472%17%11%1,399
200768%18%14%1,480
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.

Compare: belief in heaven by importance of religionbelief in heaven by political party

Belief in Hell among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who …in hell

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Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201454%35%12%1,399
200752%32%16%1,480
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.

Compare: belief in hell by importance of religionbelief in hell by political party

SocialandPoliticalViews

Political ideology among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who are…

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Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201422%38%23%17%1,399
200720%39%21%19%1,480
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.

Compare: political ideology by importance of religionpolitical ideology by political party

Views about size of government among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who would rather have…

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Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201449%41%4%6%1,399
200737%48%7%9%1,480
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.

Compare: views about size of government by importance of religionviews about size of government by political party

Views about government aid to the poor among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say government aid to the poor…

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Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201443%48%6%3%1,399
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.

Compare: views about government aid to the poor by importance of religionviews about government aid to the poor by political party

Views about abortion among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say abortion should be…

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Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201461%32%7%1,399
200759%31%10%1,480
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.

Compare: views about abortion by importance of religionviews about abortion by political party

Views about homosexuality among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say homosexuality…

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Trends
Table
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Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201473%16%5%6%1,399
200759%26%7%9%1,480
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.

Compare: views about homosexuality by importance of religionviews about homosexuality by political party

Views about same-sex marriage among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who …same-sex marriage

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Table
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Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201464%23%13%1,399
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.

Compare: views about same-sex marriage by importance of religionviews about same-sex marriage by political party

Views about environmental regulation among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say…

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Trends
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Survey yearStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201434%56%3%6%1,399
200729%57%5%9%1,480
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.

Compare: views about environmental protection by importance of religionviews about environmental protection by political party

Views about human evolution among independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important

% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is somewhat important who say humans…

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Table
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Survey yearEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
201434%26%8%25%6%1,399
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.

Compare: views about human evolution by importance of religionviews about human evolution by political party

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