Survey year | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 58% | 21% | 9% | 11% | 1% | 16,514 |
2007 | 62% | 22% | 8% | 7% | 1% | 14,353 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by religious group
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say religion is…
Religious tradition | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 42% | 32% | 10% | 13% | 4% | 168 |
Catholic | 66% | 26% | 6% | 2% | < 1% | 3,061 |
Evangelical Protestant | 83% | 13% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 4,247 |
Historically Black Protestant | 87% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 812 |
Jehovah's Witness | 95% | 4% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 160 |
Jewish | 44% | 35% | 14% | 7% | < 1% | 362 |
Mainline Protestant | 60% | 29% | 8% | 2% | 1% | 2,762 |
Mormon | 87% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 337 |
Muslim | 62% | 29% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 129 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 14% | 21% | 24% | 40% | 1% | 3,631 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who are ages…
Importance of religion in one's life | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 16% | 31% | 31% | 23% | 9,367 |
Somewhat important | 31% | 33% | 25% | 12% | 3,231 |
Not too important | 38% | 33% | 20% | 9% | 1,531 |
Not at all important | 34% | 34% | 20% | 11% | 1,920 |
Don't know | 22% | 29% | 26% | 23% | 132 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 10% | 11% | 26% | 37% | 15% | 2% | 9,367 |
Somewhat important | 20% | 17% | 26% | 29% | 7% | 1% | 3,231 |
Not too important | 26% | 20% | 25% | 24% | 5% | < 1% | 1,531 |
Not at all important | 22% | 21% | 25% | 25% | 6% | < 1% | 1,920 |
Don't know | 9% | 17% | 24% | 34% | 15% | 1% | 132 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 57% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 54% | 46% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 56% | 44% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 65% | 35% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 55% | 45% | 146 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 60% | 15% | 2% | 18% | 4% | 9,438 |
Somewhat important | 67% | 8% | 4% | 16% | 4% | 3,230 |
Not too important | 74% | 5% | 3% | 12% | 5% | 1,531 |
Not at all important | 77% | 4% | 3% | 11% | 4% | 1,910 |
Don't know | 64% | 7% | 2% | 21% | 6% | 132 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 18% | 8% | 74% | 9,473 |
Somewhat important | 14% | 13% | 73% | 3,235 |
Not too important | 10% | 14% | 76% | 1,535 |
Not at all important | 10% | 13% | 77% | 1,926 |
Don't know | 20% | 16% | 64% | 142 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who have a household income of…
Importance of religion in one's life | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 41% | 21% | 24% | 15% | 8,196 |
Somewhat important | 35% | 19% | 27% | 19% | 2,934 |
Not too important | 28% | 20% | 28% | 24% | 1,395 |
Not at all important | 26% | 19% | 29% | 27% | 1,781 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who have completed…
Importance of religion in one's life | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 31% | 15% | 10% | 9,539 |
Somewhat important | 37% | 34% | 17% | 11% | 3,262 |
Not too important | 28% | 36% | 22% | 14% | 1,544 |
Not at all important | 28% | 34% | 23% | 15% | 1,941 |
Don't know | 31% | 38% | 18% | 13% | 140 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 53% | 5% | 14% | 8% | 19% | 9,542 |
Somewhat important | 40% | 11% | 12% | 5% | 32% | 3,266 |
Not too important | 37% | 10% | 10% | 2% | 41% | 1,542 |
Not at all important | 36% | 12% | 13% | 3% | 36% | 1,940 |
Don't know | 47% | 3% | 16% | 10% | 25% | 135 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 29% | 71% | 9,545 |
Somewhat important | 27% | 73% | 3,268 |
Not too important | 22% | 78% | 1,548 |
Not at all important | 21% | 79% | 1,943 |
Don't know | 26% | 74% | 143 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say they…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 87% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 50% | 35% | 9% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 22% | 32% | 18% | < 1% | 20% | 7% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 16% | 12% | 9% | 1% | 55% | 7% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 57% | 15% | 3% | 6% | 10% | 8% | 146 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who attend religious services…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 62% | 26% | 12% | < 1% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 13% | 54% | 33% | 1% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 3% | 34% | 63% | < 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 3% | 11% | 86% | < 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 30% | 21% | 38% | 11% | 146 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who pray…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 85% | 10% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 26% | 10% | 21% | 1% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 18% | 15% | 10% | 57% | < 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 12% | 5% | 3% | 79% | 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 54% | 10% | 5% | 18% | 14% | 146 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who attend prayer group…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 47% | 12% | 9% | 31% | 1% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 8% | 9% | 9% | 74% | < 1% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 2% | 3% | 4% | 91% | < 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 3% | 1% | 2% | 94% | 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 20% | 11% | 9% | 53% | 7% | 146 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who meditate…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 64% | 6% | 2% | 25% | 2% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 40% | 12% | 5% | 42% | 1% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 34% | 13% | 5% | 47% | 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 35% | 10% | 5% | 49% | < 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 59% | 9% | 2% | 22% | 9% | 146 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 85% | 9% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 58% | 20% | 9% | 13% | < 1% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 49% | 19% | 12% | 20% | 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 51% | 15% | 7% | 25% | 2% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 81% | 4% | 2% | 8% | 5% | 146 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Importance of religion in one's life | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 56% | 7% | 29% | 4% | 3% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 12% | 18% | 56% | 11% | 2% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 4% | 25% | 55% | 15% | 2% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 2% | 21% | 49% | 26% | 2% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 28% | 13% | 34% | 5% | 19% | 146 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 44% | 53% | 2% | 1% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 26% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 18% | 80% | 2% | < 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 15% | 82% | 1% | 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 30% | 62% | 3% | 5% | 146 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who read scripture…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 65% | 11% | 6% | 17% | 1% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 18% | 12% | 14% | 56% | < 1% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 7% | 6% | 7% | 79% | < 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 6% | 4% | 5% | 85% | 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 36% | 10% | 9% | 37% | 7% | 146 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say the holy scripture is…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 48% | 30% | 4% | 12% | 7% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 13% | 28% | 1% | 48% | 9% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 4% | 10% | < 1% | 79% | 7% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 3% | 4% | < 1% | 89% | 4% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 20% | 12% | 5% | 41% | 22% | 146 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who …in heaven
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 85% | 8% | 7% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 69% | 21% | 10% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 36% | 51% | 12% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 14% | 78% | 8% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 42% | 27% | 31% | 146 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who …in hell
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 72% | 20% | 8% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 51% | 40% | 9% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 24% | 68% | 9% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 10% | 84% | 7% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 31% | 44% | 25% | 146 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 19% | 38% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 33% | 18% | 49% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 26% | 19% | 55% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 17% | 19% | 63% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 22% | 40% | 39% | 146 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 48% | 28% | 18% | 7% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 27% | 39% | 30% | 5% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 17% | 39% | 39% | 4% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 12% | 30% | 52% | 6% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 22% | 31% | 30% | 18% | 146 |
Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who would rather have…
Importance of religion in one's life | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 52% | 40% | 3% | 4% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 51% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 50% | 42% | 3% | 4% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 45% | 46% | 5% | 4% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 43% | 32% | 9% | 16% | 146 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say government aid to the poor…
Importance of religion in one's life | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 46% | 47% | 4% | 2% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 41% | 54% | 3% | 2% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 35% | 59% | 4% | 1% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 29% | 65% | 4% | 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 26% | 51% | 7% | 16% | 146 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say abortion should be…
Importance of religion in one's life | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 36% | 59% | 5% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 65% | 30% | 4% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 81% | 17% | 2% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 82% | 15% | 4% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 50% | 32% | 19% | 146 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say homosexuality…
Importance of religion in one's life | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 46% | 5% | 4% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 78% | 16% | 3% | 3% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 87% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 89% | 7% | 3% | 1% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 54% | 19% | 14% | 13% | 146 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who …same-sex marriage
Importance of religion in one's life | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 36% | 55% | 9% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 70% | 23% | 7% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 84% | 12% | 4% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 87% | 10% | 4% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 50% | 34% | 16% | 146 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 43% | 50% | 3% | 4% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 34% | 62% | 2% | 2% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 25% | 72% | 1% | 2% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 19% | 76% | 3% | 2% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 23% | 56% | 5% | 16% | 146 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week by importance of religion
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once a week who say humans…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 14% | 29% | 4% | 48% | 5% | 9,590 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 29% | 6% | 20% | 3% | 3,276 |
Not too important | 69% | 15% | 6% | 8% | 2% | 1,552 |
Not at all important | 78% | 9% | 3% | 8% | 2% | 1,950 |
Don't know | 31% | 20% | 15% | 21% | 14% | 146 |