Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 23% | 9% | 8% | 60% | 1% | 8,498 |
2007 | 21% | 8% | 7% | 63% | 1% | 7,279 |
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 in the West by religious group
% of adults in the West 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 | 19% | 13% | 15% | 53% | < 1% | 113 |
Catholic | 18% | 11% | 11% | 59% | < 1% | 1,660 |
Evangelical Protestant | 43% | 14% | 9% | 34% | < 1% | 1,819 |
Historically Black Protestant | 38% | 16% | 13% | 31% | 1% | 143 |
Jewish | 8% | 10% | 12% | 69% | < 1% | 181 |
Mainline Protestant | 16% | 11% | 9% | 63% | < 1% | 1,141 |
Mormon | 75% | 7% | 3% | 15% | < 1% | 480 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 4% | 2% | 4% | 91% | < 1% | 2,388 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: religious group among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 18% | 36% | 28% | 19% | 1,889 |
Once or twice a month | 27% | 37% | 23% | 13% | 621 |
Several times a year | 21% | 38% | 24% | 17% | 624 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 34% | 25% | 16% | 5,148 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by age group
Generational cohort among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 12% | 12% | 30% | 32% | 13% | 1% | 1,889 |
Once or twice a month | 19% | 14% | 32% | 28% | 7% | 1% | 621 |
Several times a year | 14% | 16% | 29% | 29% | 11% | 1% | 624 |
Seldom/never | 15% | 17% | 27% | 30% | 10% | 1% | 5,148 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by generational group
Gender composition among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 41% | 59% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 61% | 636 |
Several times a year | 49% | 51% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 54% | 46% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 51% | 7% | 6% | 31% | 6% | 1,911 |
Once or twice a month | 43% | 6% | 11% | 37% | 4% | 629 |
Several times a year | 46% | 5% | 15% | 29% | 5% | 626 |
Seldom/never | 61% | 3% | 9% | 22% | 5% | 5,144 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 26% | 12% | 62% | 1,915 |
Once or twice a month | 32% | 12% | 56% | 623 |
Several times a year | 34% | 13% | 53% | 627 |
Seldom/never | 19% | 15% | 66% | 5,171 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by immigrant status
Income distribution among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 38% | 21% | 27% | 14% | 1,664 |
Once or twice a month | 44% | 16% | 25% | 15% | 565 |
Several times a year | 34% | 23% | 22% | 21% | 573 |
Seldom/never | 31% | 21% | 25% | 24% | 4,639 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by household income
Educational distribution among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 41% | 34% | 16% | 8% | 1,935 |
Once or twice a month | 43% | 35% | 13% | 9% | 631 |
Several times a year | 39% | 32% | 17% | 11% | 625 |
Seldom/never | 36% | 34% | 19% | 12% | 5,206 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by educational group
Marital status among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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% | 5% | 13% | 7% | 20% | 1,933 |
Once or twice a month | 50% | 11% | 13% | 4% | 21% | 633 |
Several times a year | 51% | 9% | 12% | 5% | 23% | 631 |
Seldom/never | 44% | 10% | 13% | 5% | 28% | 5,206 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 32% | 68% | 1,933 |
Once or twice a month | 41% | 59% | 635 |
Several times a year | 34% | 66% | 631 |
Seldom/never | 26% | 74% | 5,207 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 87% | 10% | 1% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 71% | 23% | 4% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 63% | 26% | 5% | 1% | 4% | 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 41% | 25% | 10% | 1% | 18% | 4% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 90% | 8% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 71% | 26% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 57% | 35% | 6% | 2% | < 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 26% | 31% | 20% | 22% | 1% | 5,228 |
Attendance at religious services among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 84% | 12% | 4% | < 1% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 50% | 44% | 6% | < 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 28% | 67% | 5% | 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 10% | 35% | 54% | < 1% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 89% | 8% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 73% | 17% | 5% | 4% | 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 63% | 19% | 7% | 10% | 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 32% | 16% | 8% | 44% | 1% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by frequency of prayer
Frequency of meditation among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West who meditate…
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 | 68% | 6% | 1% | 22% | 3% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 16% | 3% | 31% | 2% | 636 |
Several times a year | 39% | 14% | 9% | 36% | 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 30% | 9% | 5% | 55% | 1% | 5,228 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 85% | 8% | 2% | 3% | 1% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 68% | 17% | 8% | 5% | 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 58% | 17% | 16% | 7% | 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 45% | 17% | 12% | 24% | 1% | 5,228 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 60% | 14% | 7% | 16% | 2% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 50% | 17% | 13% | 18% | 2% | 636 |
Several times a year | 45% | 18% | 21% | 16% | 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 44% | 16% | 15% | 24% | 1% | 5,228 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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% | 6% | 21% | 4% | 3% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 43% | 10% | 34% | 9% | 3% | 636 |
Several times a year | 31% | 10% | 46% | 11% | 2% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 14% | 16% | 54% | 14% | 3% | 5,228 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 50% | 46% | 2% | 2% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 38% | 60% | 1% | 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 29% | 68% | 2% | 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 25% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 5,228 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 83% | 6% | 2% | 9% | 1% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 47% | 30% | 8% | 15% | 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 27% | 18% | 27% | 28% | < 1% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 11% | 7% | 8% | 74% | < 1% | 5,228 |
Interpreting scripture among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 51% | 32% | 5% | 8% | 4% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 42% | 34% | 2% | 15% | 7% | 636 |
Several times a year | 29% | 33% | 3% | 27% | 8% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 13% | 21% | 1% | 56% | 9% | 5,228 |
Belief in Heaven among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 84% | 9% | 7% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 84% | 10% | 5% | 636 |
Several times a year | 78% | 16% | 6% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 54% | 37% | 9% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 67% | 25% | 8% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 71% | 23% | 5% | 636 |
Several times a year | 62% | 30% | 8% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 39% | 52% | 9% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 46% | 22% | 31% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 19% | 42% | 636 |
Several times a year | 34% | 21% | 45% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 29% | 19% | 52% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by political party
Political ideology among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 52% | 26% | 15% | 7% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 33% | 23% | 5% | 636 |
Several times a year | 35% | 39% | 22% | 4% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 24% | 37% | 34% | 6% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by political ideology
Views about size of government among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 56% | 38% | 3% | 4% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 45% | 48% | 4% | 3% | 636 |
Several times a year | 46% | 49% | 2% | 3% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 49% | 44% | 4% | 3% | 5,228 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 49% | 44% | 4% | 3% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 48% | 47% | 4% | 1% | 636 |
Several times a year | 41% | 52% | 4% | 3% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 38% | 57% | 3% | 2% | 5,228 |
Views about abortion among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 27% | 68% | 5% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 44% | 53% | 3% | 636 |
Several times a year | 57% | 40% | 3% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 70% | 26% | 4% | 5,228 |
Switch Display To: attendance at prayer groups among adults in the West by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 37% | 55% | 5% | 3% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 61% | 31% | 3% | 4% | 636 |
Several times a year | 65% | 26% | 4% | 5% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 79% | 14% | 4% | 3% | 5,228 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 30% | 63% | 7% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 43% | 8% | 636 |
Several times a year | 53% | 39% | 8% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 73% | 21% | 6% | 5,228 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 45% | 46% | 4% | 5% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 40% | 53% | 2% | 5% | 636 |
Several times a year | 39% | 56% | 3% | 3% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 31% | 64% | 2% | 3% | 5,228 |
Views about human evolution among adults in the West by attendance at prayer groups
% of adults in the West 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 | 12% | 24% | 2% | 55% | 6% | 1,944 |
Once or twice a month | 21% | 30% | 5% | 40% | 4% | 636 |
Several times a year | 31% | 28% | 4% | 33% | 4% | 633 |
Seldom/never | 52% | 21% | 5% | 19% | 3% | 5,228 |