Survey year | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 18% | 24% | 24% | 33% | 1% | 10,023 |
2007 | 21% | 27% | 22% | 27% | 2% | 7,277 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who are ages…
Importance of religion in one's life | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 28% | 37% | 23% | 11% | 1,619 |
Somewhat important | 34% | 37% | 20% | 8% | 2,254 |
Not too important | 38% | 36% | 18% | 8% | 2,329 |
Not at all important | 33% | 37% | 18% | 12% | 3,506 |
Don't know | 25% | 29% | 28% | 18% | 117 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by age group
Generational cohort among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 16% | 20% | 31% | 27% | 7% | 1% | 1,619 |
Somewhat important | 20% | 22% | 28% | 23% | 5% | < 1% | 2,254 |
Not too important | 25% | 23% | 27% | 21% | 4% | 1% | 2,329 |
Not at all important | 22% | 21% | 28% | 22% | 7% | 1% | 3,506 |
Don't know | 14% | 18% | 22% | 32% | 13% | 1% | 117 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by generational group
Gender composition among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 52% | 48% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 54% | 46% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 54% | 46% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 62% | 38% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 65% | 35% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 49% | 19% | 10% | 17% | 6% | 1,620 |
Somewhat important | 62% | 9% | 11% | 12% | 6% | 2,246 |
Not too important | 72% | 6% | 9% | 10% | 4% | 2,336 |
Not at all important | 77% | 4% | 5% | 10% | 4% | 3,497 |
Don't know | 65% | 8% | 5% | 15% | 7% | 113 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 26% | 11% | 64% | 1,626 |
Somewhat important | 17% | 13% | 69% | 2,250 |
Not too important | 14% | 14% | 73% | 2,330 |
Not at all important | 12% | 13% | 75% | 3,514 |
Don't know | 10% | 21% | 69% | 124 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by immigrant status
Income distribution among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who have a household income of…
Importance of religion in one's life | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 46% | 19% | 19% | 16% | 1,410 |
Somewhat important | 36% | 19% | 26% | 19% | 2,027 |
Not too important | 27% | 21% | 28% | 24% | 2,129 |
Not at all important | 25% | 19% | 29% | 27% | 3,221 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by household income
Educational distribution among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who have completed…
Importance of religion in one's life | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 47% | 27% | 14% | 12% | 1,659 |
Somewhat important | 40% | 30% | 18% | 13% | 2,284 |
Not too important | 29% | 35% | 21% | 14% | 2,357 |
Not at all important | 31% | 31% | 22% | 16% | 3,545 |
Don't know | 29% | 42% | 22% | 8% | 125 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by educational group
Marital status among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 8% | 14% | 4% | 32% | 1,655 |
Somewhat important | 39% | 13% | 11% | 3% | 33% | 2,282 |
Not too important | 38% | 10% | 10% | 2% | 40% | 2,352 |
Not at all important | 38% | 12% | 11% | 3% | 37% | 3,542 |
Don't know | 39% | 6% | 13% | 9% | 32% | 122 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 34% | 66% | 1,666 |
Somewhat important | 29% | 71% | 2,286 |
Not too important | 25% | 75% | 2,358 |
Not at all important | 23% | 77% | 3,543 |
Don't know | 17% | 83% | 129 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say they…
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 75% | 15% | 4% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 40% | 36% | 11% | 1% | 9% | 4% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 16% | 30% | 19% | < 1% | 27% | 8% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 11% | 12% | 9% | 1% | 60% | 7% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 43% | 14% | 6% | 5% | 14% | 17% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by belief in God
Attendance at religious services among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who attend religious services…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 33% | 36% | 30% | 1% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 5% | 46% | 48% | 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 2% | 29% | 68% | < 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 1% | 9% | 90% | < 1% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 5% | 18% | 60% | 17% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who pray…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 68% | 14% | 5% | 11% | 2% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 29% | 22% | 13% | 35% | 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 10% | 10% | 9% | 71% | < 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 7% | 3% | 3% | 86% | < 1% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 35% | 11% | 4% | 33% | 17% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who attend prayer group…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 29% | 12% | 11% | 47% | 1% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 5% | 7% | 9% | 79% | < 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 1% | 2% | 3% | 93% | < 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 97% | < 1% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 9% | 8% | 4% | 61% | 19% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who meditate…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 50% | 8% | 4% | 35% | 4% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 31% | 11% | 6% | 51% | 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 22% | 11% | 6% | 60% | 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 23% | 8% | 5% | 63% | 1% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 44% | 11% | 2% | 29% | 14% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 66% | 12% | 8% | 11% | 3% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 19% | 14% | 24% | 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 33% | 18% | 14% | 34% | 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 35% | 14% | 9% | 39% | 2% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 67% | 3% | 4% | 14% | 13% | 136 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 55% | 13% | 8% | 22% | 2% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 46% | 15% | 13% | 24% | 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 43% | 19% | 15% | 22% | 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 48% | 15% | 13% | 24% | 1% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 53% | 16% | 4% | 11% | 16% | 136 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Importance of religion in one's life | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 33% | 13% | 41% | 8% | 5% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 7% | 18% | 60% | 13% | 3% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 2% | 20% | 60% | 16% | 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 1% | 19% | 54% | 24% | 2% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 12% | 15% | 45% | 10% | 18% | 136 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 27% | 68% | 3% | 2% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 22% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 18% | 81% | 1% | < 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 17% | 81% | 1% | 1% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 21% | 68% | 2% | 8% | 136 |
Frequency of reading scripture among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who read scripture…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 14% | 8% | 33% | 2% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 9% | 9% | 11% | 70% | 1% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 3% | 4% | 6% | 87% | < 1% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 3% | 2% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 19% | 8% | 7% | 53% | 13% | 136 |
Interpreting scripture among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say the holy scripture is…
Importance of religion in one's life | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 33% | 24% | 4% | 28% | 11% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 11% | 19% | 1% | 58% | 10% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 4% | 9% | < 1% | 79% | 8% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 2% | 3% | < 1% | 91% | 4% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 12% | 9% | 2% | 48% | 28% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who …in heaven
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 72% | 20% | 8% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 57% | 32% | 11% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 33% | 54% | 13% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 13% | 80% | 7% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 29% | 35% | 36% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who …in hell
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 55% | 37% | 8% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 40% | 50% | 9% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 22% | 68% | 9% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 9% | 85% | 6% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 20% | 46% | 34% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 23% | 27% | 49% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 25% | 23% | 52% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 25% | 19% | 55% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 19% | 20% | 61% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 20% | 44% | 36% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by political party
Political ideology among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 28% | 32% | 30% | 11% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 19% | 39% | 35% | 7% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 16% | 39% | 39% | 6% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 12% | 32% | 48% | 7% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 23% | 21% | 34% | 22% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by political ideology
Views about size of government among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who would rather have…
Importance of religion in one's life | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 38% | 54% | 4% | 4% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 47% | 46% | 3% | 4% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 47% | 45% | 3% | 4% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 46% | 47% | 4% | 4% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 44% | 31% | 10% | 16% | 136 |
Views about government aid to the poor among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say government aid to the poor…
Importance of religion in one's life | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 35% | 57% | 4% | 4% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 38% | 56% | 4% | 2% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 34% | 61% | 4% | 2% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 32% | 63% | 3% | 2% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 23% | 46% | 15% | 16% | 136 |
Views about abortion among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say abortion should be…
Importance of religion in one's life | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 51% | 41% | 7% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 70% | 26% | 4% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 80% | 17% | 3% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 83% | 14% | 3% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 55% | 24% | 21% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say homosexuality…
Importance of religion in one's life | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 59% | 33% | 4% | 4% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 82% | 12% | 3% | 3% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 86% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 90% | 7% | 2% | 2% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 61% | 15% | 12% | 12% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who …same-sex marriage
Importance of religion in one's life | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 51% | 39% | 10% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 75% | 18% | 7% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 83% | 12% | 4% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 87% | 8% | 5% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 57% | 18% | 25% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 34% | 58% | 3% | 5% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 29% | 66% | 2% | 3% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 25% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 21% | 74% | 2% | 2% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 26% | 47% | 9% | 18% | 136 |
Views about human evolution among Non-Christians by importance of religion
% of Non-Christians who say humans…
Importance of religion in one's life | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 27% | 28% | 6% | 34% | 6% | 1,672 |
Somewhat important | 51% | 21% | 6% | 19% | 3% | 2,295 |
Not too important | 71% | 12% | 5% | 10% | 2% | 2,364 |
Not at all important | 80% | 7% | 3% | 8% | 2% | 3,556 |
Don't know | 39% | 13% | 16% | 15% | 17% | 136 |
Switch Display To: importance of religion among Non-Christians by views about human evolution