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 seldom or never by religious group
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …in heaven
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Table
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Religious tradition
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Buddhist
37%
57%
6%
107
Catholic
73%
19%
8%
1,326
Evangelical Protestant
87%
7%
6%
995
Historically Black Protestant
88%
6%
5%
181
Jewish
30%
61%
9%
270
Mainline Protestant
71%
18%
11%
1,340
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")
29%
61%
10%
5,580
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 adults who attend services seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are ages…
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Belief in Heaven
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Believe
22%
35%
27%
15%
4,524
Don't believe
30%
36%
20%
14%
4,832
Other/don't know
23%
32%
26%
18%
966
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…
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Belief in Heaven
Younger Millennial
Older Millennial
Generation X
Baby Boomer
Silent
Greatest
Sample size
Believe
13%
16%
29%
32%
9%
1%
4,524
Don't believe
19%
20%
27%
25%
8%
1%
4,832
Other/don't know
14%
16%
26%
32%
11%
1%
966
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…
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Belief in Heaven
Men
Women
Sample size
Believe
49%
51%
4,596
Don't believe
61%
39%
4,893
Other/don't know
58%
42%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who identify as…
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Belief in Heaven
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Believe
69%
9%
3%
14%
4%
4,541
Don't believe
76%
4%
6%
11%
4%
4,826
Other/don't know
74%
5%
2%
13%
5%
968
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…
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Belief in Heaven
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Believe
12%
9%
79%
4,520
Don't believe
13%
13%
74%
4,850
Other/don't know
11%
10%
78%
974
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who have a household income of…
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Belief in Heaven
Less than $30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000 or more
Sample size
Believe
44%
22%
22%
13%
4,008
Don't believe
25%
19%
30%
27%
4,434
Other/don't know
37%
22%
22%
18%
829
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who have completed…
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Belief in Heaven
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Believe
51%
32%
11%
6%
4,571
Don't believe
30%
31%
23%
16%
4,871
Other/don't know
41%
35%
17%
8%
989
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…
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Belief in Heaven
Married
Living with a partner
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Never married
Sample size
Believe
40%
10%
16%
7%
27%
4,576
Don't believe
41%
12%
12%
3%
32%
4,874
Other/don't know
39%
10%
13%
5%
32%
984
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…
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Belief in Heaven
Parents
Non-parents
Sample size
Believe
27%
73%
4,586
Don't believe
23%
77%
4,883
Other/don't know
21%
79%
991
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 adults who attend services seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say they…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
58%
30%
7%
1%
2%
1%
4,596
Don't believe
12%
17%
12%
1%
53%
5%
4,893
Other/don't know
32%
28%
13%
1%
8%
17%
996
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 adults who attend services seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say religion is…
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Belief in Heaven
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
34%
37%
19%
9%
1%
4,596
Don't believe
5%
12%
24%
58%
1%
4,893
Other/don't know
15%
27%
30%
24%
3%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who pray…
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Belief in Heaven
At least daily
Weekly
Monthly
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
43%
19%
9%
29%
1%
4,596
Don't believe
9%
6%
4%
80%
< 1%
4,893
Other/don't know
23%
14%
8%
52%
3%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who attend prayer group…
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
6%
3%
3%
89%
< 1%
4,596
Don't believe
1%
1%
1%
97%
< 1%
4,893
Other/don't know
3%
2%
2%
92%
1%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who meditate…
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
30%
7%
3%
59%
1%
4,596
Don't believe
25%
9%
6%
59%
1%
4,893
Other/don't know
29%
8%
4%
57%
2%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
47%
15%
12%
25%
1%
4,596
Don't believe
35%
15%
10%
37%
2%
4,893
Other/don't know
41%
13%
11%
32%
3%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
40%
14%
13%
32%
1%
4,596
Don't believe
48%
16%
13%
21%
1%
4,893
Other/don't know
48%
16%
11%
23%
2%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
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Belief in Heaven
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
19%
10%
60%
9%
2%
4,596
Don't believe
2%
20%
55%
21%
2%
4,893
Other/don't know
8%
17%
60%
12%
4%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
27%
71%
1%
1%
4,596
Don't believe
18%
80%
1%
1%
4,893
Other/don't know
22%
73%
3%
2%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who read scripture…
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Belief in Heaven
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
15%
7%
7%
70%
< 1%
4,596
Don't believe
3%
3%
4%
89%
< 1%
4,893
Other/don't know
8%
5%
7%
79%
1%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say the holy scripture is…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
24%
28%
2%
38%
8%
4,596
Don't believe
2%
3%
< 1%
90%
4%
4,893
Other/don't know
5%
11%
2%
61%
21%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …in hell
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Belief in Heaven
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Believe
70%
24%
6%
4,596
Don't believe
3%
96%
1%
4,893
Other/don't know
12%
28%
60%
996
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 adults who attend services seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who identify as…
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Belief in Heaven
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Believe
35%
22%
44%
4,596
Don't believe
21%
18%
60%
4,893
Other/don't know
29%
28%
43%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…
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Table
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Belief in Heaven
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
30%
35%
26%
9%
4,596
Don't believe
14%
33%
48%
5%
4,893
Other/don't know
26%
35%
27%
13%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who would rather have…
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Belief in Heaven
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
50%
43%
2%
5%
4,596
Don't believe
48%
45%
4%
3%
4,893
Other/don't know
49%
35%
6%
10%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say government aid to the poor…
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Belief in Heaven
Does more harm than good
Does more good than harm
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
45%
49%
4%
2%
4,596
Don't believe
32%
63%
4%
1%
4,893
Other/don't know
41%
48%
7%
4%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say abortion should be…
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Belief in Heaven
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
60%
35%
5%
4,596
Don't believe
84%
13%
3%
4,893
Other/don't know
68%
22%
10%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say homosexuality…
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Belief in Heaven
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
70%
23%
3%
4%
4,596
Don't believe
89%
8%
2%
2%
4,893
Other/don't know
75%
14%
6%
5%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …same-sex marriage
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Belief in Heaven
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
61%
31%
8%
4,596
Don't believe
86%
10%
4%
4,893
Other/don't know
68%
19%
13%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
39%
55%
2%
3%
4,596
Don't believe
22%
74%
2%
2%
4,893
Other/don't know
33%
57%
5%
6%
996
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 seldom or never by belief in heaven
% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say humans…
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Belief in Heaven
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
Believe
34%
29%
5%
28%
5%
4,596
Don't believe
80%
7%
3%
8%
1%
4,893
Other/don't know
51%
15%
13%
12%
9%
996
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.