Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201454%39%3%4%8,591
200743%46%4%7%8,407
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.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

Views about size of government among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by religious group

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who would rather have…

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Catholic41%53%3%3%1,157
Evangelical Protestant67%27%2%3%3,921
Historically Black Protestant22%71%3%4%875
Jehovah's Witness32%49%3%16%204
Jewish44%48%6%2%121
Mainline Protestant59%34%4%3%1,221
Mormon81%17%< 1%1%472
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")39%52%2%8%305
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.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who are ages…

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services13%33%30%24%4,992
Bigger government; more services20%35%29%17%2,813
Depends12%32%34%22%262
Don't know12%30%27%32%307
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.

Generational cohort among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services9%9%28%35%17%2%4,992
Bigger government; more services13%13%29%33%12%1%2,813
Depends6%10%27%40%15%2%262
Don't know7%10%24%34%20%5%307
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.

Gender composition among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services48%52%5,113
Bigger government; more services35%65%2,882
Depends39%61%275
Don't know34%66%321
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.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who identify as…

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services79%8%2%8%3%5,036
Bigger government; more services31%33%4%28%4%2,845
Depends50%23%2%18%8%270
Don't know60%19%1%13%7%301
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.

Immigrant status among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services8%7%85%5,076
Bigger government; more services30%8%62%2,818
Depends18%9%73%272
Don't know17%4%79%313
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.

Income distribution among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who have a household income of…

Views about size of governmentLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Smaller government; fewer services26%23%33%18%4,410
Bigger government; more services57%18%17%8%2,464
Depends38%22%29%12%211
Don't know41%19%29%11%236
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.

Educational distribution among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who have completed…

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services35%35%19%10%5,088
Bigger government; more services57%25%10%7%2,857
Depends40%33%16%10%271
Don't know51%32%9%7%318
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.

Marital status among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%2%10%8%15%5,090
Bigger government; more services42%7%17%8%25%2,869
Depends55%5%15%13%12%270
Don't know56%1%13%14%16%314
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.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services31%69%5,089
Bigger government; more services33%67%2,870
Depends26%74%271
Don't know29%71%317
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.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say they…

Views about size of governmentBelieve 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
Smaller government; fewer services93%5%1%< 1%< 1%< 1%5,113
Bigger government; more services84%13%1%1%1%< 1%2,882
Depends89%6%2%1%< 1%1%275
Don't know87%7%3%1%< 1%2%321
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.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say religion is…

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services93%5%1%1%1%5,113
Bigger government; more services89%9%1%1%< 1%2,882
Depends87%9%1%2%2%275
Don't know88%6%< 1%4%1%321
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.

Attendance at religious services among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who attend religious services…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services88%8%4%< 1%5,113
Bigger government; more services80%15%5%< 1%2,882
Depends81%13%5%1%275
Don't know83%8%7%1%321
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.

Frequency of prayer among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who pray…

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services91%7%< 1%1%< 1%5,113
Bigger government; more services85%11%2%2%1%2,882
Depends93%4%1%1%1%275
Don't know91%4%1%2%2%321
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.

Frequency of meditation among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who meditate…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services62%5%2%28%2%5,113
Bigger government; more services67%7%2%21%2%2,882
Depends74%8%1%15%1%275
Don't know73%5%1%16%5%321
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.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services87%7%3%3%1%5,113
Bigger government; more services82%8%4%5%1%2,882
Depends90%7%1%1%2%275
Don't know84%5%4%4%3%321
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.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services55%16%9%19%2%5,113
Bigger government; more services55%14%8%20%2%2,882
Depends54%8%8%23%7%275
Don't know61%9%7%19%4%321
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.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about size of governmentReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services72%4%20%2%2%5,113
Bigger government; more services57%7%28%6%2%2,882
Depends66%3%19%1%11%275
Don't know58%5%22%2%14%321
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.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say…

Views about size of governmentThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services60%37%2%1%5,113
Bigger government; more services31%67%1%1%2,882
Depends39%52%6%3%275
Don't know45%46%3%6%321
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.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who read scripture…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services84%7%2%6%1%5,113
Bigger government; more services79%8%3%9%1%2,882
Depends81%7%3%7%1%275
Don't know82%6%1%8%2%321
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.

Interpreting scripture among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say the holy scripture is…

Views about size of governmentWord 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
Smaller government; fewer services57%30%4%6%4%5,113
Bigger government; more services62%23%3%7%4%2,882
Depends45%21%11%7%17%275
Don't know45%24%12%9%9%321
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.

Belief in Heaven among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who …in heaven

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services85%7%7%5,113
Bigger government; more services88%7%5%2,882
Depends80%7%13%275
Don't know80%7%13%321
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.

Belief in Hell among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who …in hell

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services79%14%7%5,113
Bigger government; more services75%19%6%2,882
Depends67%17%16%275
Don't know66%24%10%321
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.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who identify as…

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services66%14%20%5,113
Bigger government; more services20%22%57%2,882
Depends22%32%46%275
Don't know20%39%41%321
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.

Political ideology among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services67%22%7%4%5,113
Bigger government; more services35%31%26%9%2,882
Depends33%32%18%17%275
Don't know34%25%14%27%321
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.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say government aid to the poor…

Views about size of governmentDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services67%28%4%2%5,113
Bigger government; more services26%68%4%3%2,882
Depends26%44%27%3%275
Don't know32%46%11%12%321
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.

Views about abortion among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say abortion should be…

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services22%75%3%5,113
Bigger government; more services40%55%5%2,882
Depends37%49%14%275
Don't know24%62%14%321
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.

Views about homosexuality among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say homosexuality…

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services26%66%5%3%5,113
Bigger government; more services46%47%4%4%2,882
Depends37%41%16%6%275
Don't know27%52%8%13%321
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.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who …same-sex marriage

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services19%75%6%5,113
Bigger government; more services36%56%9%2,882
Depends26%54%20%275
Don't know20%62%18%321
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.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say…

Views about size of governmentStricter 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
Smaller government; fewer services56%38%3%3%5,113
Bigger government; more services33%61%2%4%2,882
Depends16%64%12%8%275
Don't know26%49%10%14%321
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.

Views about human evolution among adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week by views about size of government

% of adults who attend prayer groups at least once a week who say humans…

Views about size of governmentEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services7%23%2%63%5%5,113
Bigger government; more services16%25%2%51%5%2,882
Depends11%21%7%52%9%275
Don't know9%17%5%54%16%321
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.