Religious tradition among adults who say religion is somewhat important
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Survey year | Buddhist | Catholic | Evangelical Protestant | Hindu | Historically Black Protestant | Jehovah's Witness | Jewish | Mainline Protestant | Mormon | Muslim | Orthodox Christian | Other Christian | Other Faiths | Other World Religions | Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 1% | 27% | 18% | 1% | 3% | < 1% | 3% | 20% | 1% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | 20% | 1% | 8,311 |
2007 | 1% | 31% | 17% | 1% | 3% | < 1% | 3% | 24% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 15% | 1% | 9,092 |
Learn More: Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Historically Black Protestant, Jewish, Mainline Protestant, Unaffiliated (religious "nones")
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are ages…
Religious tradition | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 22% | 34% | 30% | 14% | 2,188 |
Evangelical Protestant | 22% | 35% | 26% | 16% | 1,369 |
Historically Black Protestant | 34% | 37% | 22% | 7% | 227 |
Jewish | 21% | 26% | 26% | 28% | 306 |
Mainline Protestant | 20% | 33% | 26% | 21% | 1,948 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 36% | 37% | 21% | 7% | 1,482 |
Generational cohort among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Religious tradition | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 15% | 13% | 28% | 35% | 8% | 1% | 2,188 |
Evangelical Protestant | 14% | 15% | 29% | 31% | 10% | 1% | 1,369 |
Historically Black Protestant | 24% | 20% | 27% | 23% | 5% | 1% | 227 |
Jewish | 13% | 11% | 23% | 32% | 19% | 2% | 306 |
Mainline Protestant | 13% | 12% | 28% | 33% | 13% | 1% | 1,948 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 21% | 23% | 29% | 23% | 4% | < 1% | 1,482 |
Gender composition among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Religious tradition | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 50% | 50% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 52% | 48% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 46% | 54% | 228 |
Jewish | 47% | 53% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 49% | 51% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 54% | 46% | 1,498 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who identify as…
Religious tradition | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 63% | 2% | 2% | 31% | 2% | 2,200 |
Evangelical Protestant | 78% | 5% | 3% | 10% | 5% | 1,375 |
Historically Black Protestant | 3% | 92% | < 1% | 4% | 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 93% | < 1% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 311 |
Mainline Protestant | 89% | 1% | 2% | 5% | 3% | 1,971 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 63% | 12% | 4% | 15% | 6% | 1,468 |
Immigrant status among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Religious tradition | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 23% | 16% | 61% | 2,201 |
Evangelical Protestant | 7% | 6% | 86% | 1,366 |
Historically Black Protestant | 5% | 7% | 88% | 226 |
Jewish | 10% | 22% | 68% | 311 |
Mainline Protestant | 5% | 8% | 86% | 1,970 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 12% | 12% | 76% | 1,469 |
Income distribution among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who have a household income of…
Religious tradition | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 31% | 20% | 28% | 21% | 1,963 |
Evangelical Protestant | 35% | 23% | 26% | 16% | 1,261 |
Historically Black Protestant | 52% | 19% | 18% | 10% | 205 |
Jewish | 11% | 15% | 26% | 48% | 257 |
Mainline Protestant | 26% | 19% | 29% | 26% | 1,754 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 41% | 21% | 24% | 14% | 1,345 |
Educational distribution among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who have completed…
Religious tradition | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 45% | 29% | 18% | 9% | 2,211 |
Evangelical Protestant | 43% | 38% | 13% | 5% | 1,378 |
Historically Black Protestant | 45% | 40% | 9% | 7% | 228 |
Jewish | 17% | 21% | 31% | 31% | 312 |
Mainline Protestant | 36% | 30% | 20% | 14% | 1,979 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 48% | 30% | 14% | 8% | 1,494 |
Marital status among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Religious tradition | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 48% | 10% | 13% | 5% | 25% | 2,219 |
Evangelical Protestant | 44% | 9% | 16% | 6% | 24% | 1,379 |
Historically Black Protestant | 27% | 10% | 14% | 7% | 42% | 227 |
Jewish | 58% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 22% | 311 |
Mainline Protestant | 53% | 7% | 12% | 7% | 21% | 1,983 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 35% | 15% | 12% | 3% | 34% | 1,493 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Religious tradition | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 30% | 70% | 2,217 |
Evangelical Protestant | 31% | 69% | 1,379 |
Historically Black Protestant | 32% | 68% | 228 |
Jewish | 22% | 78% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 27% | 73% | 1,984 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 29% | 71% | 1,492 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say they…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 52% | 40% | 6% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 66% | 30% | 3% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 65% | 30% | 3% | < 1% | < 1% | 2% | 228 |
Jewish | 21% | 43% | 19% | 1% | 13% | 4% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 50% | 43% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 42% | 36% | 10% | 1% | 8% | 3% | 1,498 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who attend religious services…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 18% | 57% | 25% | < 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 18% | 58% | 23% | < 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 19% | 60% | 21% | < 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 7% | 67% | 26% | < 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 12% | 59% | 29% | < 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 3% | 41% | 56% | < 1% | 1,498 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who pray…
Religious tradition | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 38% | 31% | 13% | 17% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 47% | 30% | 11% | 12% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 59% | 21% | 10% | 11% | < 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 15% | 24% | 11% | 48% | 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 32% | 34% | 13% | 20% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 28% | 23% | 13% | 36% | 1% | 1,498 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who attend prayer group…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 7% | 7% | 8% | 78% | < 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 10% | 12% | 10% | 67% | < 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 9% | 14% | 11% | 64% | < 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 5% | 10% | 14% | 70% | < 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 5% | 6% | 9% | 80% | < 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 4% | 5% | 7% | 84% | < 1% | 1,498 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who meditate…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 25% | 10% | 6% | 58% | < 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 27% | 9% | 5% | 58% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 38% | 5% | 9% | 48% | < 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 23% | 10% | 7% | 58% | 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 24% | 11% | 6% | 58% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 28% | 11% | 5% | 55% | 1% | 1,498 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 42% | 22% | 17% | 18% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 44% | 23% | 14% | 17% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 48% | 18% | 16% | 16% | 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 28% | 25% | 16% | 29% | 2% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 38% | 25% | 16% | 20% | 2% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 42% | 18% | 13% | 26% | 1% | 1,498 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 34% | 18% | 17% | 31% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 36% | 18% | 16% | 29% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 39% | 15% | 14% | 30% | 2% | 228 |
Jewish | 41% | 18% | 16% | 23% | 2% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 37% | 17% | 17% | 28% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 45% | 15% | 12% | 26% | 1% | 1,498 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Religious tradition | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 15% | 12% | 61% | 12% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 23% | 11% | 59% | 6% | 2% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 15% | 9% | 66% | 9% | 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 7% | 19% | 56% | 15% | 3% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 11% | 13% | 66% | 9% | 2% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 8% | 16% | 62% | 11% | 2% | 1,498 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 26% | 73% | 1% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 32% | 67% | 1% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 24% | 74% | 1% | 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 19% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 28% | 70% | 1% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 23% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 1,498 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who read scripture…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 11% | 9% | 12% | 68% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 22% | 17% | 15% | 46% | < 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 27% | 14% | 15% | 45% | < 1% | 228 |
Jewish | 6% | 6% | 12% | 74% | 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 10% | 13% | 15% | 61% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 9% | 9% | 9% | 72% | 1% | 1,498 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say the holy scripture is…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 15% | 36% | 2% | 39% | 8% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 24% | 47% | 2% | 20% | 7% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 26% | 37% | 2% | 29% | 6% | 228 |
Jewish | 3% | 27% | < 1% | 64% | 6% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 12% | 38% | 1% | 38% | 10% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 13% | 20% | 1% | 56% | 10% | 1,498 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who …in heaven
Religious tradition | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 82% | 12% | 6% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 88% | 6% | 6% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 84% | 10% | 6% | 228 |
Jewish | 39% | 48% | 13% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 79% | 13% | 8% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 62% | 27% | 10% | 1,498 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who …in hell
Religious tradition | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 58% | 34% | 7% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 73% | 19% | 8% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 70% | 22% | 8% | 228 |
Jewish | 15% | 77% | 8% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 57% | 33% | 10% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 46% | 45% | 10% | 1,498 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who identify as…
Religious tradition | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 37% | 18% | 45% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 47% | 16% | 37% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 8% | 10% | 82% | 228 |
Jewish | 21% | 8% | 72% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 44% | 17% | 39% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 28% | 25% | 47% | 1,498 |
Political ideology among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Religious tradition | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 30% | 41% | 24% | 4% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 39% | 36% | 20% | 6% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 26% | 37% | 28% | 10% | 228 |
Jewish | 13% | 38% | 46% | 3% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 32% | 41% | 22% | 4% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 21% | 41% | 30% | 8% | 1,498 |
Views about size of government among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who would rather have…
Religious tradition | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 49% | 46% | 3% | 3% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 61% | 34% | 2% | 3% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 26% | 68% | 2% | 4% | 228 |
Jewish | 38% | 54% | 4% | 4% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 59% | 34% | 3% | 4% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 49% | 45% | 2% | 4% | 1,498 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say government aid to the poor…
Religious tradition | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 47% | 48% | 3% | 2% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 52% | 44% | 3% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 24% | 67% | 6% | 3% | 228 |
Jewish | 24% | 71% | 4% | 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 49% | 47% | 3% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 42% | 52% | 4% | 2% | 1,498 |
Views about abortion among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say abortion should be…
Religious tradition | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 61% | 35% | 4% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 57% | 40% | 4% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 70% | 26% | 4% | 228 |
Jewish | 90% | 8% | 2% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 70% | 26% | 3% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 66% | 30% | 4% | 1,498 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say homosexuality…
Religious tradition | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 78% | 16% | 3% | 3% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 62% | 30% | 4% | 4% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 73% | 19% | 4% | 3% | 228 |
Jewish | 91% | 7% | 1% | 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 75% | 18% | 4% | 2% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 81% | 13% | 3% | 3% | 1,498 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who …same-sex marriage
Religious tradition | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 67% | 25% | 8% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 52% | 38% | 9% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 65% | 24% | 10% | 228 |
Jewish | 89% | 7% | 4% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 66% | 27% | 7% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 73% | 20% | 7% | 1,498 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 39% | 56% | 3% | 2% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 41% | 54% | 2% | 3% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 34% | 62% | 2% | 2% | 228 |
Jewish | 21% | 76% | 2% | < 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 39% | 58% | 2% | 2% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 32% | 62% | 3% | 3% | 1,498 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who say humans…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 39% | 31% | 4% | 23% | 3% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 23% | 35% | 5% | 35% | 3% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 34% | 35% | 3% | 23% | 5% | 228 |
Jewish | 70% | 13% | 5% | 10% | 1% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 37% | 33% | 5% | 21% | 4% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 46% | 23% | 6% | 22% | 3% | 1,498 |