Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is not too important
% of adults who say religion is not too important who …in hell
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Trends
Table
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Survey year
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
2014
30%
61%
9%
3,790
2007
31%
57%
13%
3,114
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is not too important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is not too important who …in hell
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Religious tradition
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Catholic
40%
51%
9%
569
Evangelical Protestant
59%
35%
6%
174
Jewish
10%
84%
6%
166
Mainline Protestant
40%
49%
11%
596
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")
23%
67%
9%
1,924
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.
Age distribution among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who are ages…
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Belief in Hell
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Believe
36%
36%
20%
8%
969
Don't believe
32%
34%
21%
13%
2,445
Other/don't know
27%
39%
21%
13%
329
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Generational cohort among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…
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Belief in Hell
Younger Millennial
Older Millennial
Generation X
Baby Boomer
Silent
Greatest
Sample size
Believe
23%
20%
28%
23%
5%
< 1%
969
Don't believe
21%
18%
27%
26%
7%
1%
2,445
Other/don't know
18%
19%
30%
27%
7%
1%
329
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Gender composition among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…
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Belief in Hell
Men
Women
Sample size
Believe
56%
44%
977
Don't believe
56%
44%
2,477
Other/don't know
56%
44%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who identify as…
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Belief in Hell
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Believe
74%
7%
6%
9%
3%
971
Don't believe
75%
4%
7%
10%
4%
2,447
Other/don't know
75%
2%
5%
12%
5%
331
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Immigrant status among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…
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Belief in Hell
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Believe
9%
11%
80%
959
Don't believe
14%
14%
72%
2,459
Other/don't know
12%
14%
75%
328
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Income distribution among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who have a household income of…
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Belief in Hell
Less than $30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000 or more
Sample size
Believe
35%
21%
29%
16%
863
Don't believe
23%
20%
29%
28%
2,245
Other/don't know
30%
16%
30%
24%
289
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Educational distribution among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who have completed…
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Belief in Hell
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Believe
42%
36%
14%
7%
975
Don't believe
27%
31%
25%
17%
2,466
Other/don't know
32%
36%
18%
13%
334
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Marital status among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…
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Belief in Hell
Married
Living with a partner
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Never married
Sample size
Believe
43%
10%
9%
2%
36%
975
Don't believe
42%
9%
10%
4%
35%
2,465
Other/don't know
47%
7%
11%
3%
33%
332
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…
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Belief in Hell
Parents
Non-parents
Sample size
Believe
29%
71%
975
Don't believe
23%
77%
2,469
Other/don't know
25%
75%
336
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 God among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say they…
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Belief in Hell
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
Believe
31%
45%
17%
1%
4%
2%
977
Don't believe
14%
30%
20%
< 1%
29%
7%
2,477
Other/don't know
15%
34%
22%
1%
8%
20%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Attendance at religious services among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who attend religious services…
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month/a few times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
2%
33%
64%
< 1%
977
Don't believe
3%
35%
63%
< 1%
2,477
Other/don't know
2%
32%
66%
< 1%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of prayer among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who pray…
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Belief in Hell
At least daily
Weekly
Monthly
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
17%
17%
12%
53%
< 1%
977
Don't believe
11%
10%
9%
70%
< 1%
2,477
Other/don't know
12%
16%
12%
60%
1%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who attend prayer group…
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
3%
2%
4%
91%
< 1%
977
Don't believe
1%
2%
3%
94%
< 1%
2,477
Other/don't know
1%
1%
3%
94%
< 1%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of meditation among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who meditate…
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
16%
8%
4%
71%
1%
977
Don't believe
24%
12%
6%
58%
< 1%
2,477
Other/don't know
22%
10%
6%
60%
2%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
28%
18%
16%
36%
2%
977
Don't believe
33%
18%
14%
33%
1%
2,477
Other/don't know
34%
15%
17%
32%
1%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
32%
16%
16%
35%
1%
977
Don't believe
44%
19%
16%
21%
< 1%
2,477
Other/don't know
38%
19%
17%
23%
4%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
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Belief in Hell
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
6%
13%
68%
12%
1%
977
Don't believe
3%
21%
59%
16%
1%
2,477
Other/don't know
2%
17%
62%
14%
4%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say…
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Belief in Hell
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
Believe
24%
74%
1%
< 1%
977
Don't believe
18%
80%
1%
1%
2,477
Other/don't know
24%
73%
3%
< 1%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who read scripture…
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
6%
6%
6%
82%
< 1%
977
Don't believe
4%
4%
6%
86%
< 1%
2,477
Other/don't know
2%
3%
6%
89%
< 1%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Interpreting scripture among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say the holy scripture is…
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Belief in Hell
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
Believe
11%
27%
1%
53%
9%
977
Don't believe
2%
7%
< 1%
85%
6%
2,477
Other/don't know
3%
10%
1%
68%
19%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Belief in Heaven among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who …in heaven
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Belief in Hell
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Believe
90%
5%
4%
977
Don't believe
22%
72%
6%
2,477
Other/don't know
20%
4%
76%
336
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.
Party affiliation among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who identify as…
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Belief in Hell
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Believe
37%
19%
43%
977
Don't believe
26%
16%
58%
2,477
Other/don't know
28%
26%
45%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Political ideology among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…
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Belief in Hell
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
26%
43%
24%
7%
977
Don't believe
16%
38%
42%
4%
2,477
Other/don't know
23%
40%
27%
11%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Views about size of government among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who would rather have…
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Belief in Hell
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
52%
43%
2%
3%
977
Don't believe
51%
43%
3%
3%
2,477
Other/don't know
49%
36%
8%
8%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say government aid to the poor…
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Belief in Hell
Does more harm than good
Does more good than harm
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
48%
47%
3%
1%
977
Don't believe
35%
61%
3%
1%
2,477
Other/don't know
38%
52%
7%
3%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Views about abortion among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say abortion should be…
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Belief in Hell
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
69%
28%
3%
977
Don't believe
84%
14%
2%
2,477
Other/don't know
75%
19%
5%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Views about homosexuality among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say homosexuality…
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Belief in Hell
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
79%
17%
2%
2%
977
Don't believe
88%
9%
1%
2%
2,477
Other/don't know
81%
12%
4%
4%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who …same-sex marriage
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Belief in Hell
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
71%
23%
6%
977
Don't believe
84%
11%
4%
2,477
Other/don't know
76%
17%
7%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say…
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Belief in Hell
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
Believe
38%
58%
1%
2%
977
Don't believe
25%
72%
1%
2%
2,477
Other/don't know
29%
63%
4%
4%
336
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Views about human evolution among adults who say religion is not too important by belief in hell
% of adults who say religion is not too important who say humans…
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Belief in Hell
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
Believe
51%
23%
5%
19%
2%
977
Don't believe
75%
10%
4%
8%
2%
2,477
Other/don't know
63%
12%
10%
8%
7%
336
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.