Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never pray

% of adults who seldom or never pray who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
20147%23%30%40%1%8,123
200711%29%29%30%1%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.

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

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never pray by religious group

% of adults who seldom or never pray who say religion is…

Religious traditionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Catholic14%41%32%12%< 1%893
Evangelical Protestant21%52%21%5%< 1%326
Jewish8%38%36%18%< 1%408
Mainline Protestant10%46%34%10%< 1%903
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")2%12%29%55%1%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.

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

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who seldom or never pray by importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are ages…

Importance of religion in one's life18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Very important21%38%23%17%469
Somewhat important32%32%22%14%1,778
Not too important36%33%19%12%2,426
Not at all important34%36%18%12%3,276
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Very important12%17%31%28%11%1%469
Somewhat important21%18%25%27%9%1%1,778
Not too important23%20%26%23%7%1%2,426
Not at all important22%20%28%22%7%1%3,276
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMenWomenSample size
Very important66%34%481
Somewhat important65%35%1,812
Not too important63%37%2,454
Not at all important65%35%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Very important50%14%5%28%3%478
Somewhat important71%6%5%15%3%1,788
Not too important76%3%8%9%3%2,426
Not at all important79%3%5%9%3%3,280
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Very important27%13%60%468
Somewhat important15%12%73%1,789
Not too important13%13%74%2,428
Not at all important12%13%75%3,285
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important50%20%19%11%410
Somewhat important30%23%26%21%1,591
Not too important24%22%29%26%2,204
Not at all important24%18%30%27%3,022
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who have completed…

Importance of religion in one's lifeHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Very important62%19%11%7%474
Somewhat important43%30%17%11%1,805
Not too important31%32%23%14%2,448
Not at all important30%31%23%16%3,314
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Very important39%7%15%7%31%475
Somewhat important42%11%11%4%33%1,802
Not too important42%9%8%3%37%2,444
Not at all important39%12%10%3%36%3,313
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never pray by importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeParentsNon-parentsSample size
Very important27%73%479
Somewhat important26%74%1,804
Not too important23%77%2,448
Not at all important23%77%3,310
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 seldom or never pray by importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important58%24%4%3%8%2%481
Somewhat important31%42%12%1%10%4%1,812
Not too important10%30%22%1%28%8%2,454
Not at all important6%10%10%1%66%7%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who attend religious services…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important27%32%41%1%481
Somewhat important6%45%48%< 1%1,812
Not too important2%31%67%< 1%2,454
Not at all important< 1%8%91%< 1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important11%6%7%74%1%481
Somewhat important2%3%6%89%< 1%1,812
Not too important1%1%1%97%< 1%2,454
Not at all important< 1%< 1%1%99%< 1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important25%10%4%59%2%481
Somewhat important15%8%6%70%1%1,812
Not too important14%10%6%70%1%2,454
Not at all important18%8%5%69%< 1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important45%15%8%29%2%481
Somewhat important29%17%17%36%1%1,812
Not too important25%17%15%42%1%2,454
Not at all important31%14%9%43%2%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important40%12%13%34%2%481
Somewhat important38%14%16%32%1%1,812
Not too important36%20%17%27%1%2,454
Not at all important45%16%13%26%1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important30%11%45%11%3%481
Somewhat important7%15%63%13%2%1,812
Not too important2%18%62%17%1%2,454
Not at all important1%18%54%25%2%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important24%73%1%2%481
Somewhat important22%75%1%1%1,812
Not too important19%79%1%< 1%2,454
Not at all important17%82%1%1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important16%9%9%65%1%481
Somewhat important2%4%9%85%< 1%1,812
Not too important1%2%4%92%< 1%2,454
Not at all important1%2%3%94%< 1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important36%21%2%33%8%481
Somewhat important11%24%1%56%8%1,812
Not too important3%9%< 1%80%8%2,454
Not at all important1%2%< 1%93%4%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who …in heaven

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important70%24%6%481
Somewhat important60%30%10%1,812
Not too important32%56%12%2,454
Not at all important11%83%6%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who …in hell

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important53%40%7%481
Somewhat important44%46%10%1,812
Not too important24%67%9%2,454
Not at all important7%88%5%3,321
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 seldom or never pray by importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Very important27%26%47%481
Somewhat important30%23%47%1,812
Not too important29%17%54%2,454
Not at all important20%19%61%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Very important27%30%33%10%481
Somewhat important25%38%30%7%1,812
Not too important18%41%36%5%2,454
Not at all important13%32%48%7%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who would rather have…

Importance of religion in one's lifeSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Very important36%58%2%3%481
Somewhat important49%43%3%5%1,812
Not too important52%42%3%3%2,454
Not at all important47%47%3%3%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important37%57%3%3%481
Somewhat important42%52%4%2%1,812
Not too important39%56%3%1%2,454
Not at all important33%63%3%1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who say abortion should be…

Importance of religion in one's lifeLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Very important48%46%6%481
Somewhat important69%27%4%1,812
Not too important80%17%3%2,454
Not at all important85%12%3%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who say homosexuality…

Importance of religion in one's lifeShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important64%26%7%4%481
Somewhat important79%15%3%2%1,812
Not too important86%10%2%2%2,454
Not at all important90%6%2%1%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray who …same-sex marriage

Importance of religion in one's lifeStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Very important50%38%13%481
Somewhat important72%22%6%1,812
Not too important82%14%4%2,454
Not at all important88%8%4%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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%51%2%6%481
Somewhat important34%61%3%2%1,812
Not too important27%69%2%2%2,454
Not at all important22%74%2%2%3,321
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 importance of religion

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 important33%26%8%29%4%481
Somewhat important54%20%6%17%3%1,812
Not too important75%10%5%9%2%2,454
Not at all important84%6%3%6%2%3,321
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.