May 7, 2014

U.S. Hispanics: Religious, Social and Political Differences

A major survey of U.S. Hispanics conducted by the Pew Research Center asked more than 5,000 respondents about their religious, social and political views. See how their responses compare to the U.S. general public, and note the differences within the Hispanic population among four major religious groups.

% who ... U.S. General Public Hispanic Population Hispanic Unaffiliated Hispanic Catholic Hispanic Mainline Protestant Hispanic Evangelical Protestant
Religious Views
Attend religious services at least weekly
37%
40%
6%
40%
35%
71%
Pray at least daily
55
59
29
61
60
84
Consider religion very important in their lives
56
60
20
65
56
85
Take literal view of the Bible or other Holy Book
34
43
21
45
39
63
Social Views
Political Views
Identify with or lean toward Democratic Party
48
56
64
58
54
48
Identify with or lean toward Republican Party
39
21
16
21
23
30
Think churches should express views on political/social issues
40
47
33
49
37
61
Prefer a bigger government with more services
40
67
63
72
62
62
Prefer a smaller government with fewer services
51
21
25
18
29
25

Source: Figures for Hispanic adults from Pew Research Center survey, May 24-July 28, 2013. Figures for the general public on views of the Bible and preferences for marriage from 2010 Pew Research Surveys; attending services, praying, religious importance and views about abortion, expectations for the future and size of government from 2013 Pew Research surveys; political party affiliation and views about same-sex marriage from aggregated 2013 Pew Research Center surveys.