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 |