Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 39% | 11% | 8% | 41% | 1% | 14,858 |
2007 | 38% | 11% | 8% | 43% | 1% | 15,033 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who meditate at least once a week by religious group
% of adults who meditate at least once a week 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 20% | 15% | 12% | 52% | 1% | 186 |
Catholic | 28% | 12% | 11% | 49% | 1% | 3,024 |
Evangelical Protestant | 57% | 12% | 8% | 23% | 1% | 4,408 |
Historically Black Protestant | 57% | 14% | 7% | 21% | 1% | 1,132 |
Jehovah's Witness | 90% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 195 |
Jewish | 28% | 9% | 12% | 51% | < 1% | 227 |
Mainline Protestant | 32% | 13% | 9% | 46% | 1% | 2,411 |
Mormon | 83% | 6% | 2% | 9% | < 1% | 410 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 11% | 5% | 5% | 79% | < 1% | 2,029 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are ages…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 12% | 32% | 30% | 26% | 5,605 |
Once or twice a month | 18% | 36% | 26% | 20% | 1,426 |
Several times a year | 17% | 29% | 29% | 26% | 1,259 |
Seldom/never | 18% | 32% | 29% | 21% | 6,139 |
Generational cohort among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 8% | 10% | 27% | 36% | 18% | 2% | 5,605 |
Once or twice a month | 11% | 13% | 29% | 32% | 13% | 1% | 1,426 |
Several times a year | 9% | 12% | 25% | 34% | 18% | 2% | 1,259 |
Seldom/never | 10% | 13% | 27% | 34% | 14% | 2% | 6,139 |
Gender composition among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 42% | 58% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 43% | 57% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 44% | 56% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 48% | 52% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 30% | 70% | 108 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who identify as…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 55% | 21% | 3% | 18% | 4% | 5,665 |
Once or twice a month | 51% | 19% | 4% | 22% | 4% | 1,430 |
Several times a year | 64% | 13% | 4% | 15% | 5% | 1,265 |
Seldom/never | 66% | 9% | 3% | 17% | 5% | 6,136 |
Immigrant status among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 19% | 7% | 74% | 5,689 |
Once or twice a month | 21% | 10% | 69% | 1,432 |
Several times a year | 17% | 9% | 74% | 1,268 |
Seldom/never | 15% | 11% | 73% | 6,169 |
Don't know | 18% | 9% | 73% | 105 |
Income distribution among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who have a household income of…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 42% | 21% | 25% | 12% | 4,911 |
Once or twice a month | 42% | 19% | 24% | 14% | 1,280 |
Several times a year | 33% | 22% | 28% | 17% | 1,123 |
Seldom/never | 36% | 21% | 24% | 19% | 5,442 |
Educational distribution among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who have completed…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 45% | 31% | 15% | 9% | 5,727 |
Once or twice a month | 42% | 33% | 13% | 12% | 1,450 |
Several times a year | 34% | 32% | 21% | 13% | 1,271 |
Seldom/never | 37% | 33% | 17% | 13% | 6,214 |
Don't know | 52% | 29% | 13% | 6% | 105 |
Marital status among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 55% | 4% | 14% | 10% | 17% | 5,727 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 8% | 15% | 8% | 20% | 1,451 |
Several times a year | 50% | 6% | 13% | 11% | 20% | 1,277 |
Seldom/never | 45% | 9% | 16% | 8% | 22% | 6,212 |
Don't know | 32% | 7% | 14% | 26% | 21% | 100 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 30% | 70% | 5,735 |
Once or twice a month | 33% | 67% | 1,453 |
Several times a year | 27% | 73% | 1,276 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 75% | 6,227 |
Don't know | 21% | 79% | 107 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say they…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 90% | 8% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 81% | 15% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 79% | 16% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 60% | 21% | 6% | 1% | 9% | 2% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 71% | 14% | < 1% | 11% | < 1% | 4% | 108 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say religion is…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 93% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 80% | 17% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 75% | 19% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 45% | 28% | 12% | 14% | 1% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 81% | 5% | 2% | 7% | 6% | 108 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who attend religious services…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 86% | 10% | 4% | < 1% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 53% | 41% | 6% | < 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 43% | 49% | 7% | < 1% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 19% | 37% | 44% | 1% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 54% | 22% | 13% | 11% | 108 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who pray…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 92% | 6% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 83% | 13% | 2% | 2% | < 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 80% | 13% | 3% | 4% | < 1% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 57% | 17% | 5% | 20% | 1% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 65% | 6% | 4% | 7% | 18% | 108 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 90% | 5% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 80% | 13% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 75% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 68% | 13% | 7% | 11% | 1% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 79% | 14% | 1% | 1% | 5% | 108 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 63% | 13% | 7% | 15% | 2% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 56% | 19% | 10% | 14% | 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 55% | 16% | 12% | 14% | 2% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 59% | 13% | 9% | 18% | 1% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 55% | 15% | 1% | 19% | 10% | 108 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 67% | 5% | 21% | 4% | 3% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 10% | 32% | 6% | 3% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 43% | 12% | 36% | 7% | 3% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 22% | 15% | 50% | 10% | 3% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 46% | 7% | 31% | 2% | 14% | 108 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 48% | 49% | 2% | 2% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 58% | 1% | 2% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 36% | 62% | 1% | 1% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 27% | 69% | 2% | 1% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 31% | 56% | 3% | 10% | 108 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who read scripture…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 88% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 62% | 22% | 5% | 11% | 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 49% | 19% | 16% | 16% | < 1% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 10% | 9% | 56% | 1% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 63% | 4% | 8% | 11% | 13% | 108 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say the holy scripture is…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 60% | 25% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 47% | 31% | 3% | 14% | 6% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 35% | 37% | 4% | 19% | 6% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 21% | 23% | 2% | 45% | 10% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 46% | 14% | 3% | 14% | 23% | 108 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who …in heaven
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 86% | 7% | 7% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 86% | 9% | 6% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 82% | 12% | 6% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 64% | 28% | 8% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 74% | 9% | 18% | 108 |
Belief in Hell among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who …in hell
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 76% | 17% | 7% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 75% | 19% | 6% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 67% | 25% | 8% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 46% | 45% | 9% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 63% | 19% | 19% | 108 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who identify as…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 43% | 19% | 38% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 16% | 45% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 41% | 16% | 43% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 30% | 20% | 50% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 25% | 37% | 38% | 108 |
Political ideology among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 53% | 25% | 15% | 7% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 41% | 32% | 22% | 6% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 40% | 34% | 20% | 6% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 28% | 35% | 31% | 6% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 39% | 24% | 14% | 22% | 108 |
Views about size of government among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who would rather have…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 52% | 41% | 3% | 4% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 44% | 4% | 3% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 52% | 42% | 3% | 4% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 49% | 42% | 4% | 4% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 32% | 41% | 8% | 19% | 108 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say government aid to the poor…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 46% | 46% | 5% | 3% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 45% | 49% | 5% | 1% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 44% | 50% | 4% | 2% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 39% | 55% | 4% | 2% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 37% | 42% | 6% | 15% | 108 |
Views about abortion among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say abortion should be…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 29% | 66% | 5% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 41% | 55% | 4% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 48% | 47% | 5% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 63% | 32% | 5% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 39% | 41% | 20% | 108 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say homosexuality…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 32% | 59% | 5% | 4% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 52% | 40% | 4% | 4% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 58% | 34% | 4% | 5% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 73% | 20% | 4% | 4% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 34% | 50% | 4% | 12% | 108 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who …same-sex marriage
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 23% | 69% | 8% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 43% | 49% | 8% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 46% | 46% | 8% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 64% | 27% | 9% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 30% | 45% | 25% | 108 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 44% | 48% | 3% | 4% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 55% | 2% | 3% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 39% | 56% | 1% | 3% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 31% | 62% | 3% | 3% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 37% | 36% | 7% | 20% | 108 |
Views about human evolution among adults who meditate at least once a week by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say humans…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 10% | 23% | 3% | 58% | 6% | 5,767 |
Once or twice a month | 18% | 30% | 3% | 44% | 4% | 1,455 |
Several times a year | 21% | 33% | 4% | 38% | 5% | 1,280 |
Seldom/never | 39% | 27% | 5% | 25% | 4% | 6,248 |
Don't know | 11% | 17% | 4% | 47% | 21% | 108 |