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Religious Landscape Study

Religious Landscape Study

ReligionsGeographyTopics & QuestionsUser Guide

Religious composition of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

Christian 12%
Evangelical Protestant 3%
Baptist Family (Evangelical Trad.) 1%
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.) 1%
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.)< 1%
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.)< 1%
Mainline Protestant 4%
Baptist Family (Mainline Trad.)< 1%
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.) 1%
Historically Black Protestant 1%
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 4%
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 5%
Jewish 1%
Muslim< 1%
Buddhist< 1%
Hindu< 1%
Other World Religions< 1%
Other Faiths 3%
Unitarians and other liberal faiths in the "Other Faiths" Tradition 2%
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 2%
Pagan or Wiccan 1%
Other in the New Age family< 1%
Native American Religions< 1%
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") 81%
Atheist 20%
Agnostic 20%
Nothing in particular 41%
Nothing in particular (religion not important) 41%
Nothing in particular (religion important)< 1%
Don't know 1%

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are ages…

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Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201430%38%20%12%1,765
200719%39%26%15%1,134
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 views about size of governmentage group by importance of religion

Generational cohort among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

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Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201419%19%29%24%7%1%1,765
2007< 1%15%29%37%16%3%1,134
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 views about size of governmentgenerational group by importance of religion

Gender composition among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

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Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201468%32%1,795
200772%28%1,162
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 views about size of governmentgender by importance of religion

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who identify as…

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Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201480%3%4%9%3%1,762
200788%2%3%4%3%1,136
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 views about size of governmentrace/ethnicity by importance of religion

Immigrant status among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

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Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
20149%13%77%1,774
200710%8%82%1,150
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 views about size of governmentimmigrant status by importance of religion

Income distribution among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
201425%19%30%26%1,617
200717%21%34%28%996
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 views about size of governmenthousehold income by importance of religion

Educational distribution among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who have completed…

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Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201436%33%19%13%1,787
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 views about size of governmenteducational group by importance of religion

Marital status among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

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Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201440%11%11%3%36%1,788
200750%9%13%5%22%1,154
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 views about size of governmentmarital status by importance of religion

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

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Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201423%77%1,789
200727%73%1,157
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 views about size of governmentparental status by importance of religion

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
201415%13%11%1%53%7%1,795
200719%17%11%1%42%10%1,162
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 views about size of governmentbelief in God by importance of religion

Attendance at religious services among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
20142%9%89%< 1%1,795
20072%9%88%< 1%1,162
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 views about size of governmentreligious attendance by importance of religion

Frequency of prayer among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who pray…

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Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201410%4%3%83%< 1%1,795
200711%5%4%80%1%1,162
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 views about size of governmentfrequency of prayer by importance of religion

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
20142%1%1%96%< 1%1,795
20072%1%1%96%< 1%1,162
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 views about size of governmentattendance at prayer groups by importance of religion

Frequency of meditation among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who meditate…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201423%8%5%64%1%1,795
200725%5%3%66%1%1,162
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 views about size of governmentfrequency of meditation by importance of religion

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
201435%12%9%42%2%1,795
200732%9%8%48%4%1,162
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 views about size of governmentfrequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing by importance of religion

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
201446%14%13%27%1%1,795
200737%13%13%34%2%1,162
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 views about size of governmentfrequency feeling a sense of wonder about the universe by importance of religion

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

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Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
20142%17%60%21%1%1,795
20072%16%68%12%2%1,162
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 views about size of governmentsources of guidance on right and wrong by importance of religion

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
201422%77%1%< 1%1,795
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 views about size of governmentbelief in existence of standards for right and wrong by importance of religion

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who read scripture…

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Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20145%2%3%90%< 1%1,795
20075%3%3%88%< 1%1,162
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 views about size of governmentfrequency of reading scripture by importance of religion

Interpreting scripture among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
20142%5%< 1%87%5%1,795
20073%4%1%86%6%1,162
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 views about size of governmentinterpretation of scripture by importance of religion

Belief in Heaven among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who …in heaven

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Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201417%76%8%1,795
200718%73%10%1,162
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 views about size of governmentbelief in heaven by importance of religion

Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who …in hell

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Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201412%82%7%1,795
200711%80%9%1,162
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 views about size of governmentbelief in hell by importance of religion

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who identify as…

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Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201435%25%40%1,795
200731%22%47%1,162
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 by views about size of governmentpolitical party by importance of religion

Political ideology among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

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Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201423%41%28%8%1,795
200723%39%31%7%1,162
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 views about size of governmentpolitical ideology by importance of religion

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
201453%42%4%2%1,795
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 views about size of governmentviews about government aid to the poor by importance of religion

Views about abortion among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say abortion should be…

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Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201481%16%3%1,795
200781%15%5%1,162
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 views about size of governmentviews about abortion by importance of religion

Views about homosexuality among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say homosexuality…

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Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201484%11%3%2%1,795
200772%19%5%4%1,162
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 views about size of governmentviews about homosexuality by importance of religion

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who …same-sex marriage

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Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201480%15%5%1,795
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 views about size of governmentviews about same-sex marriage by importance of religion

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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%60%2%2%1,795
200729%65%3%3%1,162
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 views about size of governmentviews about environmental protection by importance of religion

Views about human evolution among adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have smaller government; fewer services 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
201475%8%3%11%2%1,795
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 views about size of governmentviews about human evolution by importance of religion

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