Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never pray
% of adults who seldom or never pray who …in hell
Chart
Trends
Table
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Survey year
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
2014
24%
68%
8%
8,123
2007
29%
61%
11%
6,160
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 seldom or never pray by religious group
% of adults who seldom or never pray who …in hell
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Religious tradition
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Catholic
46%
45%
9%
893
Evangelical Protestant
61%
30%
9%
326
Jewish
8%
87%
5%
408
Mainline Protestant
44%
46%
10%
903
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")
15%
78%
7%
4,941
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who are ages…
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Belief in Hell
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Believe
37%
34%
20%
9%
1,617
Don't believe
32%
35%
19%
14%
5,792
Other/don't know
31%
33%
22%
13%
589
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…
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Belief in Hell
Younger Millennial
Older Millennial
Generation X
Baby Boomer
Silent
Greatest
Sample size
Believe
25%
19%
27%
23%
6%
< 1%
1,617
Don't believe
21%
20%
26%
23%
9%
1%
5,792
Other/don't know
20%
19%
26%
28%
8%
1%
589
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…
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Belief in Hell
Men
Women
Sample size
Believe
67%
33%
1,637
Don't believe
63%
37%
5,880
Other/don't know
64%
36%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who identify as…
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Belief in Hell
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Believe
67%
8%
6%
17%
3%
1,623
Don't believe
77%
3%
6%
10%
3%
5,810
Other/don't know
74%
4%
6%
11%
5%
588
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…
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Belief in Hell
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Believe
14%
12%
75%
1,606
Don't believe
13%
13%
73%
5,828
Other/don't know
15%
12%
73%
590
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who have a household income of…
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Belief in Hell
Less than $30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000 or more
Sample size
Believe
37%
24%
25%
14%
1,437
Don't believe
23%
19%
30%
28%
5,324
Other/don't know
32%
22%
22%
23%
509
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who have completed…
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Belief in Hell
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Believe
51%
31%
13%
5%
1,627
Don't believe
30%
29%
24%
17%
5,862
Other/don't know
39%
35%
15%
11%
603
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…
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Belief in Hell
Married
Living with a partner
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Never married
Sample size
Believe
38%
9%
11%
3%
39%
1,631
Don't believe
42%
11%
10%
3%
34%
5,860
Other/don't know
40%
9%
11%
4%
36%
595
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…
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Belief in Hell
Parents
Non-parents
Sample size
Believe
27%
73%
1,630
Don't believe
23%
77%
5,862
Other/don't know
23%
77%
603
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say they…
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Belief in Hell
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
37%
40%
14%
1%
6%
2%
1,637
Don't believe
10%
19%
13%
1%
52%
6%
5,880
Other/don't know
14%
28%
19%
3%
13%
23%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say religion is…
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Belief in Hell
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
15%
42%
31%
12%
< 1%
1,637
Don't believe
4%
15%
29%
51%
< 1%
5,880
Other/don't know
6%
31%
33%
27%
3%
606
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 adults who seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who attend religious services…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month/a few times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
8%
34%
58%
< 1%
1,637
Don't believe
3%
22%
75%
< 1%
5,880
Other/don't know
4%
24%
71%
1%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who attend prayer group…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
3%
3%
4%
91%
< 1%
1,637
Don't believe
1%
1%
2%
96%
< 1%
5,880
Other/don't know
1%
2%
2%
94%
1%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who meditate…
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
12%
7%
4%
77%
1%
1,637
Don't believe
19%
9%
6%
66%
< 1%
5,880
Other/don't know
14%
7%
6%
70%
3%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
26%
17%
16%
41%
1%
1,637
Don't believe
31%
16%
11%
40%
2%
5,880
Other/don't know
32%
12%
14%
39%
3%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
30%
13%
15%
41%
1%
1,637
Don't believe
44%
17%
15%
24%
1%
5,880
Other/don't know
38%
17%
15%
27%
3%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
11%
10%
63%
14%
2%
1,637
Don't believe
2%
20%
56%
21%
1%
5,880
Other/don't know
4%
14%
62%
13%
7%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say…
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Belief in Hell
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
24%
74%
1%
1%
1,637
Don't believe
18%
81%
1%
1%
5,880
Other/don't know
19%
76%
3%
2%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who read scripture…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
4%
3%
5%
87%
< 1%
1,637
Don't believe
2%
3%
5%
90%
< 1%
5,880
Other/don't know
4%
3%
6%
87%
1%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say the holy scripture is…
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Belief in Hell
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
17%
27%
1%
47%
7%
1,637
Don't believe
2%
5%
< 1%
88%
5%
5,880
Other/don't know
7%
8%
1%
63%
21%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who …in heaven
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Believe
91%
6%
3%
1,637
Don't believe
13%
83%
4%
5,880
Other/don't know
20%
5%
75%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who identify as…
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Belief in Hell
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Believe
35%
22%
44%
1,637
Don't believe
22%
18%
60%
5,880
Other/don't know
29%
31%
40%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…
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Belief in Hell
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
28%
40%
24%
8%
1,637
Don't believe
15%
35%
45%
5%
5,880
Other/don't know
24%
35%
27%
13%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who would rather have…
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Belief in Hell
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
48%
48%
1%
3%
1,637
Don't believe
48%
46%
3%
3%
5,880
Other/don't know
51%
34%
5%
10%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say government aid to the poor…
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Belief in Hell
Does more harm than good
Does more good than harm
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
49%
47%
3%
1%
1,637
Don't believe
33%
62%
3%
1%
5,880
Other/don't know
40%
50%
6%
4%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say abortion should be…
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Belief in Hell
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
62%
34%
4%
1,637
Don't believe
83%
14%
3%
5,880
Other/don't know
72%
21%
7%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say homosexuality…
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Belief in Hell
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
75%
19%
4%
2%
1,637
Don't believe
89%
8%
2%
1%
5,880
Other/don't know
76%
13%
6%
6%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who …same-sex marriage
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Belief in Hell
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
66%
27%
7%
1,637
Don't believe
86%
10%
4%
5,880
Other/don't know
68%
20%
12%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say…
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Belief in Hell
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
41%
54%
2%
3%
1,637
Don't believe
22%
74%
2%
2%
5,880
Other/don't know
32%
56%
5%
7%
606
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 seldom or never pray by belief in hell
% of adults who seldom or never pray who say humans…
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Belief in Hell
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
46%
26%
5%
21%
3%
1,637
Don't believe
80%
7%
3%
8%
1%
5,880
Other/don't know
59%
10%
12%
9%
10%
606
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.