Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201445%40%11%3%< 1%11,214
200744%44%9%2%1%11,431
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.

Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by religious group

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say religion is…

Religious traditionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Buddhist25%53%16%4%2%105
Catholic45%45%8%1%< 1%2,747
Evangelical Protestant62%34%3%1%< 1%2,367
Hindu18%60%18%4%< 1%111
Historically Black Protestant77%20%2%1%< 1%652
Jewish30%48%19%3%< 1%428
Mainline Protestant42%47%9%1%< 1%2,517
Orthodox Christian36%45%14%5%< 1%102
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")20%37%29%13%1%1,668
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.

Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are ages…

Importance of religion in one's life18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Very important19%36%30%15%4,841
Somewhat important27%36%24%12%4,458
Not too important37%33%19%11%1,277
Not at all important39%34%19%9%375
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Very important11%14%30%35%9%1%4,841
Somewhat important18%16%29%29%7%1%4,458
Not too important25%19%26%22%6%1%1,277
Not at all important27%20%26%21%6%1%375
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMenWomenSample size
Very important44%56%4,940
Somewhat important50%50%4,536
Not too important59%41%1,296
Not at all important61%39%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Very important57%19%3%17%4%4,874
Somewhat important69%7%6%14%3%4,489
Not too important72%6%8%11%3%1,282
Not at all important64%8%7%15%6%375
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Very important16%8%76%4,866
Somewhat important14%12%74%4,480
Not too important15%14%71%1,285
Not at all important16%17%67%378
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who have a household income of…

Importance of religion in one's lifeLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Very important40%21%23%16%4,306
Somewhat important29%19%29%23%4,082
Not too important23%20%28%30%1,174
Not at all important26%19%29%26%352
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who have completed…

Importance of religion in one's lifeHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Very important46%33%13%7%4,917
Somewhat important36%33%18%12%4,517
Not too important30%31%22%17%1,290
Not at all important30%32%22%16%383
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Very important47%8%16%7%23%4,916
Somewhat important47%9%12%4%28%4,523
Not too important43%9%9%3%36%1,289
Not at all important33%10%13%2%41%383
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeParentsNon-parentsSample size
Very important33%67%4,922
Somewhat important31%69%4,521
Not too important25%75%1,290
Not at all important25%75%382
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.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say they…

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Very important85%12%1%1%< 1%< 1%4,940
Somewhat important51%37%7%1%3%2%4,536
Not too important19%36%20%< 1%19%6%1,296
Not at all important24%15%11%1%43%6%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who pray…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important74%18%4%3%1%4,940
Somewhat important36%30%15%18%1%4,536
Not too important15%14%13%58%< 1%1,296
Not at all important16%7%6%69%1%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who attend prayer group…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important14%16%17%52%1%4,940
Somewhat important4%9%13%74%< 1%4,536
Not too important1%4%6%89%< 1%1,296
Not at all important4%2%7%85%2%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who meditate…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important43%10%4%42%2%4,940
Somewhat important26%10%7%56%1%4,536
Not too important20%12%7%60%1%1,296
Not at all important33%11%5%50%2%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important67%16%8%7%1%4,940
Somewhat important41%24%18%17%1%4,536
Not too important32%22%17%29%1%1,296
Not at all important45%14%11%29%1%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important45%15%13%25%2%4,940
Somewhat important38%18%17%27%1%4,536
Not too important40%18%17%24%1%1,296
Not at all important52%15%13%19%1%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Importance of religion in one's lifeReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Very important40%8%43%6%3%4,940
Somewhat important13%14%61%10%2%4,536
Not too important4%18%60%17%1%1,296
Not at all important5%24%47%23%2%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say…

Importance of religion in one's lifeThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important34%63%2%1%4,940
Somewhat important27%72%1%< 1%4,536
Not too important19%79%1%< 1%1,296
Not at all important17%82%1%< 1%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who read scripture…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important37%19%14%30%1%4,940
Somewhat important11%14%16%58%< 1%4,536
Not too important5%6%8%81%< 1%1,296
Not at all important9%4%8%78%1%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say the holy scripture is…

Importance of religion in one's lifeWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Very important41%33%4%15%8%4,940
Somewhat important14%37%1%39%9%4,536
Not too important5%16%< 1%71%8%1,296
Not at all important6%8%< 1%80%5%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …in heaven

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important89%7%5%4,940
Somewhat important77%16%7%4,536
Not too important45%45%10%1,296
Not at all important33%61%6%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …in hell

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important72%20%8%4,940
Somewhat important56%36%8%4,536
Not too important29%62%9%1,296
Not at all important24%72%4%384
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.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Very important38%18%44%4,940
Somewhat important37%16%47%4,536
Not too important31%15%54%1,296
Not at all important19%19%62%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Very important40%33%20%6%4,940
Somewhat important29%41%25%4%4,536
Not too important19%42%35%5%1,296
Not at all important15%39%38%8%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who would rather have…

Importance of religion in one's lifeSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Very important47%47%3%3%4,940
Somewhat important53%42%3%3%4,536
Not too important51%44%3%2%1,296
Not at all important43%51%3%3%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say government aid to the poor…

Importance of religion in one's lifeDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important46%48%4%2%4,940
Somewhat important45%51%3%1%4,536
Not too important39%57%3%1%1,296
Not at all important38%57%3%2%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say abortion should be…

Importance of religion in one's lifeLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Very important47%48%5%4,940
Somewhat important66%31%3%4,536
Not too important78%20%2%1,296
Not at all important77%20%3%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say homosexuality…

Importance of religion in one's lifeShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important58%33%5%4%4,940
Somewhat important78%16%4%2%4,536
Not too important83%13%2%2%1,296
Not at all important85%11%2%2%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …same-sex marriage

Importance of religion in one's lifeStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Very important48%42%10%4,940
Somewhat important68%25%7%4,536
Not too important79%16%5%1,296
Not at all important79%16%5%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say…

Importance of religion in one's lifeStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important41%55%2%3%4,940
Somewhat important36%60%2%2%4,536
Not too important29%67%2%2%1,296
Not at all important24%73%2%1%384
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 attend services monthly or yearly by importance of religion

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say humans…

Importance of religion in one's lifeEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Very important19%33%4%40%5%4,940
Somewhat important40%31%4%23%2%4,536
Not too important65%15%6%12%2%1,296
Not at all important64%16%3%14%3%384
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.