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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who are ages…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Conservative
13%
31%
32%
25%
2,721
Moderate
18%
34%
29%
19%
2,582
Liberal
22%
35%
26%
16%
1,453
Don't know
18%
39%
26%
17%
305
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who are…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Younger Millennial
Older Millennial
Generation X
Baby Boomer
Silent
Greatest
Sample size
Conservative
8%
9%
27%
38%
17%
2%
2,721
Moderate
12%
11%
29%
34%
12%
1%
2,582
Liberal
14%
14%
30%
31%
9%
2%
1,453
Don't know
9%
18%
31%
30%
11%
2%
305
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Men
Women
Sample size
Conservative
49%
51%
2,780
Moderate
45%
55%
2,619
Liberal
46%
54%
1,474
Don't know
43%
57%
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.
Racial and ethnic composition among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who identify as…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Conservative
64%
2%
3%
30%
2%
2,736
Moderate
63%
3%
3%
29%
2%
2,599
Liberal
48%
3%
3%
44%
2%
1,460
Don't know
39%
7%
1%
49%
3%
318
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Conservative
25%
13%
62%
2,755
Moderate
23%
17%
60%
2,604
Liberal
36%
16%
48%
1,461
Don't know
44%
8%
48%
307
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who have a household income of…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Less than $30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000 or more
Sample size
Conservative
33%
19%
28%
20%
2,348
Moderate
31%
20%
27%
21%
2,288
Liberal
46%
18%
20%
15%
1,303
Don't know
53%
21%
20%
6%
198
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who have completed…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Conservative
47%
28%
16%
9%
2,767
Moderate
41%
29%
18%
12%
2,612
Liberal
50%
24%
15%
11%
1,465
Don't know
61%
25%
9%
5%
313
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who are…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Married
Living with a partner
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Never married
Sample size
Conservative
57%
7%
12%
8%
17%
2,772
Moderate
52%
8%
11%
7%
22%
2,612
Liberal
43%
11%
15%
5%
26%
1,468
Don't know
46%
10%
12%
9%
23%
324
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Parents
Non-parents
Sample size
Conservative
30%
70%
2,765
Moderate
31%
69%
2,613
Liberal
32%
68%
1,470
Don't know
29%
71%
324
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 Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say they…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
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
Conservative
72%
22%
3%
1%
1%
1%
2,780
Moderate
64%
28%
5%
1%
1%
1%
2,619
Liberal
52%
35%
8%
2%
3%
1%
1,474
Don't know
64%
24%
6%
4%
< 1%
2%
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.
Importance of religion in one's life among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say religion is…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
67%
26%
5%
2%
< 1%
2,780
Moderate
52%
37%
9%
2%
< 1%
2,619
Liberal
50%
35%
10%
4%
1%
1,474
Don't know
62%
28%
6%
3%
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.
Attendance at religious services among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who attend religious services…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
At least once a week
Once or twice a month/a few times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
48%
35%
17%
< 1%
2,780
Moderate
36%
44%
19%
< 1%
2,619
Liberal
31%
43%
25%
< 1%
1,474
Don't know
34%
39%
24%
2%
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.
Frequency of prayer among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who pray…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
At least daily
Weekly
Monthly
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
66%
18%
5%
9%
1%
2,780
Moderate
55%
21%
9%
14%
1%
2,619
Liberal
51%
23%
8%
17%
< 1%
1,474
Don't know
61%
16%
6%
13%
3%
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.
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who attend prayer group…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
21%
10%
11%
57%
1%
2,780
Moderate
14%
9%
11%
67%
< 1%
2,619
Liberal
15%
9%
8%
68%
< 1%
1,474
Don't know
20%
11%
7%
59%
3%
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.
Frequency of meditation among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who meditate…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
43%
8%
3%
44%
1%
2,780
Moderate
39%
9%
5%
46%
< 1%
2,619
Liberal
38%
9%
6%
44%
2%
1,474
Don't know
37%
12%
4%
40%
7%
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.
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
61%
16%
9%
12%
1%
2,780
Moderate
55%
18%
13%
13%
1%
2,619
Liberal
53%
16%
12%
18%
1%
1,474
Don't know
54%
13%
9%
16%
9%
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.
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
43%
14%
14%
28%
1%
2,780
Moderate
40%
17%
17%
26%
1%
2,619
Liberal
46%
15%
13%
25%
1%
1,474
Don't know
37%
11%
11%
33%
7%
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.
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
40%
8%
43%
8%
2%
2,780
Moderate
23%
11%
53%
10%
2%
2,619
Liberal
25%
13%
48%
14%
2%
1,474
Don't know
28%
6%
48%
9%
9%
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.
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
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
Conservative
39%
58%
1%
2%
2,780
Moderate
27%
72%
1%
1%
2,619
Liberal
21%
76%
1%
1%
1,474
Don't know
26%
66%
3%
5%
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.
Frequency of reading scripture among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who read scripture…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
31%
12%
10%
47%
1%
2,780
Moderate
22%
11%
12%
55%
1%
2,619
Liberal
22%
10%
9%
58%
< 1%
1,474
Don't know
25%
12%
8%
50%
4%
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.
Interpreting scripture among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say the holy scripture is…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
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
Conservative
31%
41%
3%
17%
7%
2,780
Moderate
19%
39%
2%
32%
8%
2,619
Liberal
26%
26%
2%
40%
7%
1,474
Don't know
31%
20%
10%
24%
14%
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.
Belief in Heaven among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who …in heaven
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Conservative
89%
7%
5%
2,780
Moderate
85%
10%
4%
2,619
Liberal
79%
16%
6%
1,474
Don't know
80%
9%
11%
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.
Belief in Hell among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who …in hell
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Conservative
71%
22%
7%
2,780
Moderate
61%
31%
8%
2,619
Liberal
56%
36%
7%
1,474
Don't know
57%
26%
17%
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.
Party affiliation among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who identify as…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Conservative
59%
15%
26%
2,780
Moderate
33%
16%
50%
2,619
Liberal
15%
19%
65%
1,474
Don't know
10%
57%
34%
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.
Views about size of government among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who would rather have…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
62%
35%
1%
2%
2,780
Moderate
48%
45%
3%
4%
2,619
Liberal
26%
67%
3%
3%
1,474
Don't know
31%
54%
7%
8%
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.
Views about government aid to the poor among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say government aid to the poor…
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Does more harm than good
Does more good than harm
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
60%
35%
3%
1%
2,780
Moderate
42%
52%
4%
2%
2,619
Liberal
31%
65%
3%
1%
1,474
Don't know
41%
46%
7%
6%
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.
Views about abortion among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say abortion should be…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
35%
61%
4%
2,780
Moderate
55%
41%
4%
2,619
Liberal
59%
36%
4%
1,474
Don't know
47%
42%
11%
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.
Views about homosexuality among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say homosexuality…
Chart
Table
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Political ideology
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
57%
34%
5%
4%
2,780
Moderate
77%
16%
3%
3%
2,619
Liberal
81%
14%
2%
3%
1,474
Don't know
60%
24%
7%
9%
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.
Views about same-sex marriage among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who …same-sex marriage
Chart
Table
Share
Political ideology
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Conservative
40%
50%
10%
2,780
Moderate
65%
27%
8%
2,619
Liberal
72%
21%
6%
1,474
Don't know
52%
27%
21%
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.
Views about environmental regulation among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say…
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Table
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Political ideology
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
Conservative
52%
42%
2%
4%
2,780
Moderate
34%
62%
2%
2%
2,619
Liberal
26%
70%
1%
3%
1,474
Don't know
41%
45%
5%
9%
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.
Views about human evolution among Catholics by political ideology
% of Catholics who say humans…
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Political ideology
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
Conservative
23%
33%
4%
35%
6%
2,780
Moderate
32%
34%
4%
26%
3%
2,619
Liberal
43%
27%
3%
23%
4%
1,474
Don't know
25%
21%
11%
30%
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.