Religious tradition among adults who say religion is not at all important

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Survey yearBuddhistCatholicEvangelical ProtestantHinduHistorically Black ProtestantJehovah's WitnessJewishMainline ProtestantMormonMuslimOrthodox ChristianOther ChristianOther FaithsOther World ReligionsUnaffiliated (religious "nones")Don't knowSample size
20141%4%2%< 1%1%< 1%2%3%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%3%< 1%82%1%3,966
20071%6%3%< 1%1%< 1%2%7%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%3%< 1%74%2%2,468
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: Catholic, Mainline Protestant, Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are ages…

Religious tradition18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Catholic24%28%33%15%160
Mainline Protestant17%35%22%27%133
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")34%37%18%11%3,189
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Religious traditionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Catholic16%14%22%39%9%< 1%160
Mainline Protestant10%13%29%30%18%1%133
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")23%21%28%22%7%1%3,189
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Religious traditionMenWomenSample size
Catholic72%28%160
Mainline Protestant64%36%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")62%38%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who identify as…

Religious traditionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Catholic71%2%< 1%25%2%160
Mainline Protestant91%< 1%1%6%2%132
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")77%4%5%10%3%3,185
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Religious traditionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Catholic22%15%63%158
Mainline Protestant14%10%75%132
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")11%13%76%3,193
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who have a household income of…

Religious traditionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Catholic36%16%29%18%147
Mainline Protestant30%11%29%30%121
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")25%19%29%27%2,940
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who have completed…

Religious traditionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Catholic47%27%16%10%159
Mainline Protestant32%23%31%14%135
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")31%32%22%15%3,225
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Religious traditionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Catholic33%11%18%6%33%160
Mainline Protestant50%7%18%8%17%135
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")38%11%11%3%37%3,223
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Religious traditionParentsNon-parentsSample size
Catholic15%85%160
Mainline Protestant28%72%135
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")23%77%3,222
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say they…

Religious traditionBelieve 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
Catholic23%22%20%< 1%29%6%160
Mainline Protestant28%21%29%3%19%1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")10%11%9%1%62%7%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who attend religious services…

Religious traditionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic5%18%76%1%160
Mainline Protestant5%23%71%1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")1%8%91%< 1%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who pray…

Religious traditionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic9%11%9%71%< 1%160
Mainline Protestant21%9%4%66%< 1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")5%3%3%88%< 1%3,232
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 participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who attend prayer group…

Religious traditionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic5%2%4%89%< 1%160
Mainline Protestant3%< 1%6%91%< 1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")1%< 1%1%97%< 1%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who meditate…

Religious traditionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic18%5%2%75%< 1%160
Mainline Protestant20%8%5%67%1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")21%8%5%65%1%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Religious traditionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic25%9%10%55%1%160
Mainline Protestant38%12%12%38%< 1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")34%15%9%40%2%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Religious traditionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic32%13%15%38%1%160
Mainline Protestant39%17%16%26%2%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")48%16%12%24%1%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic4%13%57%23%3%160
Mainline Protestant4%19%61%14%2%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")1%19%54%24%2%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say…

Religious traditionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Catholic18%80%1%1%160
Mainline Protestant28%71%1%1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")17%82%1%1%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who read scripture…

Religious traditionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Catholic5%6%2%87%< 1%160
Mainline Protestant10%4%5%81%< 1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")3%2%3%91%< 1%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say the holy scripture is…

Religious traditionWord 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
Catholic10%9%< 1%76%5%160
Mainline Protestant7%10%2%74%8%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")2%3%< 1%91%4%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who …in heaven

Religious traditionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Catholic41%54%6%160
Mainline Protestant42%54%4%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")13%80%7%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who …in hell

Religious traditionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Catholic32%61%7%160
Mainline Protestant27%68%5%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")9%85%6%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who identify as…

Religious traditionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Catholic33%16%51%160
Mainline Protestant36%19%46%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")19%20%61%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Religious traditionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Catholic25%30%39%6%160
Mainline Protestant23%36%36%5%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")13%32%48%7%3,232
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 size of government among adults who say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have…

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Catholic45%49%2%5%160
Mainline Protestant59%36%3%2%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")46%47%4%4%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say government aid to the poor…

Religious traditionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Catholic38%57%3%2%160
Mainline Protestant42%55%3%< 1%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")33%62%3%2%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say abortion should be…

Religious traditionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Catholic76%21%3%160
Mainline Protestant77%17%6%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")83%14%3%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say homosexuality…

Religious traditionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Catholic77%17%2%4%160
Mainline Protestant81%13%3%3%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")90%7%2%1%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who …same-sex marriage

Religious traditionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Catholic67%28%5%160
Mainline Protestant74%20%6%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")87%8%4%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say…

Religious traditionStricter 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
Catholic44%53%1%2%160
Mainline Protestant28%68%< 1%4%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")21%75%2%2%3,232
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 say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say humans…

Religious traditionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Catholic61%20%3%13%4%160
Mainline Protestant58%12%7%16%7%136
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")81%7%3%7%2%3,232
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.