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Religious Landscape Study

Religious Landscape Study

ReligionsGeographyTopics & QuestionsUser Guide

Religious composition of parents who are in the West

Christian 71%
Evangelical Protestant 23%
Baptist Family (Evangelical Trad.) 3%
Southern Baptist Convention 1%
Independent Baptist (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
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.) 7%
Nondenominational evangelical 3%
Nondenominational fundamentalist< 1%
Nondenominational charismatic< 1%
Nondenominational Christian (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Interdenominational (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
Community Church (Evangelical Trad.)< 1%
Other Nondenominational (Evangelical Trad.) 3%
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.) 4%
Assemblies of God 2%
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.) 2%
Churches of Christ 2%
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 9%
Baptist Family (Mainline Trad.) 2%
American Baptist Churches USA 1%
Other Baptist (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Methodist Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
United Methodist Church 1%
Other Methodist (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Nondenominational Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Interdenominational (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
Other Nondenominational (Mainline Trad.) 1%
Lutheran Family (Mainline Trad.) 1%
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.) 2%
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 28%
Mormon 7%
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 7%
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 1%
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") 22%
Atheist 3%
Agnostic 3%
Nothing in particular 16%
Nothing in particular (religion not important) 9%
Nothing in particular (religion important) 7%
Don't know 1%

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201459%24%5%1%8%2%2,015
200767%21%4%< 1%5%3%2,350
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 among parents by regionbelief in God among adults in the West by parental status

Importance of religion in one's life among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who say religion is…

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Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201453%26%11%9%1%2,015
200753%27%10%8%1%2,350
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: importance of religion among parents by regionimportance of religion among adults in the West by parental status

Attendance at religious services among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201436%37%27%< 1%2,015
200737%34%28%< 1%2,350
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 among parents by regionreligious attendance among adults in the West by parental status

Frequency of prayer among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who pray…

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Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201456%15%7%22%1%2,015
200757%17%6%19%1%2,350
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 among parents by regionfrequency of prayer among adults in the West by parental status

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201425%13%9%53%< 1%2,015
200724%8%8%59%1%2,350
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 among parents by regionattendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by parental status

Frequency of meditation among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who meditate…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201440%8%4%46%1%2,015
200738%9%4%47%2%2,350
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 among parents by regionfrequency of meditation among adults in the West by parental status

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201460%15%11%13%1%2,015
200755%15%11%17%2%2,350
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 among parents by regionfrequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing among adults in the West by parental status

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201445%17%15%22%1%2,015
200740%15%15%27%3%2,350
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 among parents by regionfrequency feeling a sense of wonder about the universe among adults in the West by parental status

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

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Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201434%10%44%11%2%2,015
200727%10%50%7%5%2,350
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 among parents by regionsources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in the West by parental status

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201435%62%1%2%2,015
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 among parents by regionbelief in existence of standards for right and wrong among adults in the West by parental status

Frequency of reading scripture among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who read scripture…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201436%12%8%44%< 1%2,015
200733%11%8%47%1%2,350
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 among parents by regionfrequency of reading scripture among adults in the West by parental status

Interpreting scripture among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201430%28%2%33%8%2,015
200729%29%3%29%10%2,350
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 among parents by regioninterpretation of scripture among adults in the West by parental status

Belief in Heaven among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who …in heaven

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Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201471%22%7%2,015
200770%21%9%2,350
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 among parents by regionbelief in heaven among adults in the West by parental status

Belief in Hell among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who …in hell

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Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201458%35%7%2,015
200754%35%10%2,350
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 among parents by regionbelief in hell among adults in the West by parental status

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who identify as…

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Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201434%24%42%2,015
200737%21%42%2,350
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 party among parents by regionpolitical party among adults in the West by parental status

Political ideology among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who are…

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Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201435%34%25%6%2,015
200737%35%22%7%2,350
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 among parents by regionpolitical ideology among adults in the West by parental status

Views about size of government among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who would rather have…

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Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201446%48%3%3%2,015
200739%51%4%5%2,350
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 among parents by regionviews about size of government among adults in the West by parental status

Views about government aid to the poor among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West 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
201444%50%4%2%2,015
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 among parents by regionviews about government aid to the poor among adults in the West by parental status

Views about abortion among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who say abortion should be…

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Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201451%45%4%2,015
200751%43%6%2,350
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 among parents by regionviews about abortion among adults in the West by parental status

Views about homosexuality among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who say homosexuality…

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Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201465%28%4%4%2,015
200754%35%6%5%2,350
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 among parents by regionviews about homosexuality among adults in the West by parental status

Views about same-sex marriage among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who …same-sex marriage

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Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201457%36%7%2,015
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 among parents by regionviews about same-sex marriage among adults in the West by parental status

Views about environmental regulation among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who say…

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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
201436%57%3%4%2,015
200732%60%3%5%2,350
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 among parents by regionviews about environmental protection among adults in the West by parental status

Views about human evolution among parents who are in the West

% of parents who are in the West who say humans…

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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
201435%23%3%35%4%2,015
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 among parents by regionviews about human evolution among adults in the West by parental status

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