Religious tradition among independents and those who don't lean to either party
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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% | 21% | 22% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 13% | 1% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | 28% | 1% | 5,658 |
2007 | 1% | 25% | 23% | 1% | 5% | 3% | 1% | 16% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 20% | 2% | 5,770 |
Learn More: Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Historically Black Protestant, Jehovah's Witness, Mainline Protestant, Unaffiliated (religious "nones")
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are ages…
Religious tradition | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 18% | 40% | 26% | 16% | 1,115 |
Evangelical Protestant | 19% | 40% | 26% | 15% | 1,176 |
Historically Black Protestant | 25% | 41% | 22% | 12% | 171 |
Jehovah's Witness | 13% | 35% | 26% | 26% | 181 |
Mainline Protestant | 20% | 31% | 27% | 21% | 768 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 37% | 39% | 17% | 6% | 1,422 |
Generational cohort among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Religious tradition | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 10% | 13% | 34% | 32% | 10% | 1% | 1,115 |
Evangelical Protestant | 11% | 16% | 32% | 31% | 10% | 1% | 1,176 |
Historically Black Protestant | 16% | 14% | 36% | 25% | 8% | 1% | 171 |
Jehovah's Witness | 8% | 11% | 29% | 32% | 19% | 1% | 181 |
Mainline Protestant | 12% | 15% | 24% | 34% | 14% | 1% | 768 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 22% | 25% | 30% | 20% | 3% | < 1% | 1,422 |
Gender composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Religious tradition | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 43% | 57% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 42% | 58% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 45% | 55% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 31% | 69% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 44% | 56% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 60% | 40% | 1,474 |
Racial and ethnic composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who identify as…
Religious tradition | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 43% | 2% | 3% | 50% | 2% | 1,136 |
Evangelical Protestant | 66% | 6% | 1% | 20% | 7% | 1,195 |
Historically Black Protestant | 3% | 92% | < 1% | 4% | 1% | 183 |
Jehovah's Witness | 42% | 21% | 1% | 32% | 4% | 185 |
Mainline Protestant | 82% | 1% | 2% | 9% | 7% | 782 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 63% | 8% | 6% | 18% | 6% | 1,422 |
Immigrant status among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Religious tradition | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 46% | 12% | 43% | 1,129 |
Evangelical Protestant | 17% | 6% | 77% | 1,192 |
Historically Black Protestant | 17% | 4% | 79% | 174 |
Jehovah's Witness | 26% | 9% | 65% | 186 |
Mainline Protestant | 10% | 8% | 83% | 795 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 18% | 10% | 72% | 1,422 |
Income distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 52% | 20% | 18% | 10% | 851 |
Evangelical Protestant | 52% | 19% | 21% | 8% | 958 |
Historically Black Protestant | 54% | 24% | 13% | 9% | 129 |
Jehovah's Witness | 49% | 22% | 24% | 5% | 153 |
Mainline Protestant | 41% | 21% | 23% | 15% | 598 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 47% | 20% | 20% | 12% | 1,203 |
Educational distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who have completed…
Religious tradition | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 62% | 22% | 11% | 6% | 1,137 |
Evangelical Protestant | 53% | 33% | 9% | 5% | 1,210 |
Historically Black Protestant | 50% | 34% | 9% | 7% | 178 |
Jehovah's Witness | 62% | 26% | 10% | 2% | 184 |
Mainline Protestant | 46% | 32% | 13% | 9% | 805 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 52% | 31% | 12% | 5% | 1,463 |
Marital status among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Religious tradition | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 52% | 11% | 13% | 6% | 18% | 1,150 |
Evangelical Protestant | 50% | 7% | 17% | 8% | 18% | 1,217 |
Historically Black Protestant | 33% | 7% | 14% | 10% | 37% | 178 |
Jehovah's Witness | 61% | 1% | 12% | 8% | 17% | 187 |
Mainline Protestant | 50% | 7% | 14% | 10% | 18% | 805 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 31% | 12% | 14% | 3% | 40% | 1,458 |
Parent of children under 18 among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Religious tradition | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 37% | 63% | 1,149 |
Evangelical Protestant | 35% | 65% | 1,217 |
Historically Black Protestant | 28% | 72% | 182 |
Jehovah's Witness | 29% | 71% | 187 |
Mainline Protestant | 27% | 73% | 815 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 29% | 71% | 1,468 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 61% | 29% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 87% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 85% | 12% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 94% | 6% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 64% | 25% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 34% | 22% | 10% | 1% | 27% | 6% | 1,474 |
Importance of religion in one's life among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say religion is…
Religious tradition | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 61% | 31% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 78% | 18% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 82% | 13% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 94% | 5% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 50% | 36% | 9% | 3% | 2% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 16% | 24% | 23% | 35% | 2% | 1,474 |
Attendance at religious services among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 39% | 38% | 21% | 1% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 54% | 30% | 15% | 1% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 54% | 34% | 9% | 3% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 90% | 8% | 2% | 1% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 30% | 40% | 28% | 1% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 6% | 24% | 70% | 1% | 1,474 |
Frequency of prayer among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who pray…
Religious tradition | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 59% | 20% | 8% | 12% | 1% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 76% | 15% | 3% | 5% | 1% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 77% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 93% | 4% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 56% | 17% | 7% | 18% | 3% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 23% | 11% | 7% | 58% | 1% | 1,474 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 21% | 11% | 10% | 58% | 1% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 44% | 10% | 9% | 35% | 2% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 46% | 14% | 5% | 34% | 1% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 89% | 1% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 18% | 8% | 9% | 63% | 2% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 6% | 4% | 4% | 85% | < 1% | 1,474 |
Frequency of meditation among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 42% | 10% | 4% | 40% | 3% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 51% | 6% | 2% | 38% | 3% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 62% | 8% | 3% | 26% | 1% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 83% | 1% | 2% | 10% | 4% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 35% | 6% | 5% | 50% | 3% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 29% | 8% | 4% | 58% | 2% | 1,474 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 61% | 13% | 9% | 14% | 2% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 73% | 12% | 6% | 7% | 2% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 76% | 8% | 5% | 8% | 2% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 86% | 4% | 5% | 1% | 4% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 53% | 17% | 9% | 18% | 4% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 42% | 12% | 10% | 33% | 3% | 1,474 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 45% | 13% | 14% | 26% | 2% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 48% | 13% | 10% | 25% | 3% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 42% | 10% | 11% | 31% | 6% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 67% | 11% | 4% | 13% | 5% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 41% | 13% | 12% | 31% | 4% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 46% | 12% | 11% | 29% | 2% | 1,474 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 31% | 11% | 46% | 10% | 3% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 55% | 4% | 34% | 3% | 4% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 55% | 5% | 31% | 5% | 4% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 82% | < 1% | 11% | 1% | 5% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 29% | 7% | 55% | 5% | 4% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 10% | 15% | 58% | 14% | 4% | 1,474 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 25% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 40% | 56% | 2% | 2% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 31% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 63% | 32% | 3% | 3% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 29% | 67% | 2% | 1% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 22% | 74% | 2% | 2% | 1,474 |
Frequency of reading scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 28% | 11% | 9% | 51% | 1% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 62% | 11% | 7% | 19% | 1% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 64% | 10% | 9% | 17% | 1% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 91% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 34% | 11% | 11% | 43% | 2% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 12% | 7% | 6% | 75% | 1% | 1,474 |
Interpreting scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 32% | 29% | 5% | 24% | 10% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 54% | 25% | 5% | 9% | 7% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 52% | 24% | 5% | 8% | 11% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 44% | 40% | 8% | 2% | 5% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 25% | 29% | 6% | 26% | 14% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 13% | 13% | 2% | 60% | 11% | 1,474 |
Belief in Heaven among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …in heaven
Religious tradition | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 81% | 11% | 8% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 88% | 5% | 7% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 92% | 4% | 4% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 45% | 40% | 15% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 78% | 11% | 11% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 43% | 44% | 13% | 1,474 |
Belief in Hell among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …in hell
Religious tradition | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 59% | 31% | 10% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 78% | 13% | 9% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 77% | 16% | 7% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 5% | 92% | 3% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 59% | 26% | 15% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 33% | 55% | 12% | 1,474 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Political ideology among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Religious tradition | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 30% | 31% | 23% | 15% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 36% | 29% | 14% | 22% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 28% | 26% | 18% | 27% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 16% | 12% | 5% | 67% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 26% | 40% | 15% | 19% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 16% | 36% | 24% | 23% | 1,474 |
Views about size of government among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who would rather have…
Religious tradition | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 35% | 56% | 4% | 5% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 49% | 38% | 5% | 8% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 25% | 60% | 7% | 8% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 30% | 47% | 4% | 19% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 56% | 31% | 6% | 8% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 51% | 38% | 5% | 6% | 1,474 |
Views about government aid to the poor among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 41% | 50% | 5% | 3% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 46% | 43% | 7% | 4% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 28% | 59% | 8% | 4% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 29% | 59% | 7% | 5% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 47% | 42% | 6% | 5% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 41% | 49% | 6% | 4% | 1,474 |
Views about abortion among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say abortion should be…
Religious tradition | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 44% | 49% | 7% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 36% | 57% | 7% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 39% | 53% | 8% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 11% | 79% | 10% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 55% | 36% | 9% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 60% | 33% | 8% | 1,474 |
Views about homosexuality among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say homosexuality…
Religious tradition | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 66% | 22% | 6% | 7% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 39% | 46% | 8% | 7% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 40% | 41% | 9% | 10% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 9% | 81% | 5% | 5% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 63% | 23% | 7% | 7% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 75% | 14% | 6% | 5% | 1,474 |
Views about same-sex marriage among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …same-sex marriage
Religious tradition | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 53% | 30% | 16% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 30% | 56% | 14% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 30% | 54% | 16% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 8% | 83% | 9% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 53% | 33% | 14% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 69% | 19% | 12% | 1,474 |
Views about environmental regulation among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 35% | 54% | 4% | 7% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 41% | 49% | 4% | 6% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 35% | 51% | 6% | 8% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 29% | 54% | 6% | 12% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 36% | 54% | 6% | 4% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 33% | 58% | 3% | 6% | 1,474 |
Views about human evolution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 30% | 25% | 6% | 29% | 9% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 12% | 27% | 4% | 50% | 8% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 16% | 24% | 2% | 48% | 10% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 1% | 12% | < 1% | 81% | 5% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 22% | 28% | 9% | 32% | 9% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 50% | 17% | 7% | 21% | 5% | 1,474 |