Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201455%38%3%4%13,155
200744%44%5%7%14,919
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

Views about size of government among adults who attend services weekly or more by religious group

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who would rather have…

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Catholic50%44%3%3%3,092
Evangelical Protestant67%27%3%3%5,177
Historically Black Protestant22%72%3%3%1,070
Jehovah's Witness31%51%2%16%207
Jewish47%45%5%4%148
Mainline Protestant59%34%4%4%2,192
Mormon80%18%1%2%514
Muslim13%83%4%1%105
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")41%49%5%5%284
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are ages…

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services14%31%29%27%7,771
Bigger government; more services22%33%27%18%4,190
Depends12%32%30%26%400
Don't know14%24%25%37%482
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services9%9%26%35%19%2%7,771
Bigger government; more services14%14%28%31%12%1%4,190
Depends6%11%27%34%19%3%400
Don't know7%11%20%32%26%4%482
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services48%52%7,956
Bigger government; more services36%64%4,277
Depends42%58%418
Don't know33%67%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who identify as…

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services81%6%2%8%3%7,828
Bigger government; more services36%28%4%28%4%4,235
Depends52%17%2%21%8%413
Don't know67%14%1%12%7%482
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services8%8%84%7,889
Bigger government; more services29%10%62%4,193
Depends21%9%70%413
Don't know15%6%79%493
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who have a household income of…

Views about size of governmentLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Smaller government; fewer services23%22%34%21%6,805
Bigger government; more services51%19%19%10%3,666
Depends37%21%32%10%321
Don't know45%19%27%9%359
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who have completed…

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services34%33%21%12%7,915
Bigger government; more services53%26%12%9%4,250
Depends39%33%16%12%411
Don't know50%30%12%8%498
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services66%2%9%8%15%7,925
Bigger government; more services45%6%15%8%26%4,259
Depends60%2%11%13%14%414
Don't know56%2%11%15%15%496
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services30%70%7,919
Bigger government; more services33%67%4,264
Depends29%71%413
Don't know27%73%501
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say they…

Views about size of governmentBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Smaller government; fewer services91%7%1%< 1%< 1%< 1%7,956
Bigger government; more services81%16%1%1%1%< 1%4,277
Depends84%10%3%2%< 1%1%418
Don't know86%10%1%2%< 1%1%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say religion is…

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services90%8%< 1%< 1%1%7,956
Bigger government; more services88%10%1%1%< 1%4,277
Depends89%7%2%1%1%418
Don't know85%11%1%1%1%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who pray…

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services86%11%1%2%1%7,956
Bigger government; more services81%13%2%4%< 1%4,277
Depends85%12%1%1%2%418
Don't know84%8%1%3%4%504
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 attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who attend prayer group…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services59%12%9%19%< 1%7,956
Bigger government; more services56%15%7%21%1%4,277
Depends53%14%8%25%1%418
Don't know57%8%8%24%3%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who meditate…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services56%6%3%33%2%7,956
Bigger government; more services60%8%3%27%2%4,277
Depends65%7%4%21%3%418
Don't know62%7%2%25%4%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services82%10%4%3%1%7,956
Bigger government; more services77%12%4%6%1%4,277
Depends81%9%3%5%2%418
Don't know80%8%5%5%4%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services49%17%11%21%2%7,956
Bigger government; more services51%16%10%22%2%4,277
Depends53%11%10%20%6%418
Don't know54%11%10%21%4%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about size of governmentReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services66%5%24%3%2%7,956
Bigger government; more services55%7%31%6%2%4,277
Depends56%7%26%1%10%418
Don't know54%3%26%5%12%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say…

Views about size of governmentThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services57%40%1%1%7,956
Bigger government; more services30%67%1%1%4,277
Depends33%58%8%2%418
Don't know40%53%3%4%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who read scripture…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services72%10%5%13%1%7,956
Bigger government; more services66%11%6%16%1%4,277
Depends66%8%5%19%2%418
Don't know69%10%5%15%2%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say the holy scripture is…

Views about size of governmentWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services50%35%4%7%4%7,956
Bigger government; more services56%27%3%10%5%4,277
Depends38%28%10%10%14%418
Don't know40%26%12%11%11%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who …in heaven

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services87%6%7%7,956
Bigger government; more services88%8%4%4,277
Depends80%6%14%418
Don't know82%6%12%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who …in hell

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services78%15%7%7,956
Bigger government; more services73%20%7%4,277
Depends65%20%16%418
Don't know65%23%13%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who identify as…

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services67%13%20%7,956
Bigger government; more services21%20%59%4,277
Depends23%27%50%418
Don't know22%38%40%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%25%7%3%7,956
Bigger government; more services33%33%26%8%4,277
Depends31%35%20%14%418
Don't know31%29%15%24%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say government aid to the poor…

Views about size of governmentDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services67%28%4%2%7,956
Bigger government; more services27%68%3%2%4,277
Depends28%46%21%5%418
Don't know31%47%10%12%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say abortion should be…

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services25%72%3%7,956
Bigger government; more services42%53%5%4,277
Depends37%50%13%418
Don't know31%55%14%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say homosexuality…

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services32%59%5%4%7,956
Bigger government; more services53%40%4%3%4,277
Depends42%36%16%6%418
Don't know34%45%9%12%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who …same-sex marriage

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services23%70%6%7,956
Bigger government; more services42%51%8%4,277
Depends32%50%18%418
Don't know29%54%17%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say…

Views about size of governmentStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services55%39%3%3%7,956
Bigger government; more services31%63%2%4%4,277
Depends19%63%9%9%418
Don't know25%53%9%13%504
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who attend services weekly or more by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services weekly or more who say humans…

Views about size of governmentEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services9%26%2%58%5%7,956
Bigger government; more services18%29%2%45%5%4,277
Depends12%23%8%47%10%418
Don't know12%16%9%46%16%504
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.