Political ideology among adults who attend services seldom or never

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201423%34%36%8%10,485
200724%37%30%8%8,946
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: Conservative, Moderate, Liberal

Political ideology among adults who attend services seldom or never by religious group

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Religious traditionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Buddhist17%33%47%3%107
Catholic32%34%28%6%1,326
Evangelical Protestant40%32%20%8%995
Historically Black Protestant32%28%30%10%181
Jewish18%26%52%3%270
Mainline Protestant32%36%24%8%1,340
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")16%34%42%8%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.

Learn More: Conservative, Moderate, Liberal

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who attend services seldom or never by political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are ages…

Political ideology18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Conservative19%32%29%20%2,343
Moderate25%37%24%14%3,477
Liberal30%35%22%13%3,857
Don't know28%39%20%13%645
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Political ideologyYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Conservative12%11%27%34%13%2%2,343
Moderate15%18%29%28%8%1%3,477
Liberal18%21%27%27%8%1%3,857
Don't know15%22%30%24%8%1%645
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Political ideologyMenWomenSample size
Conservative63%37%2,379
Moderate57%43%3,524
Liberal49%51%3,902
Don't know51%49%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who identify as…

Political ideologyWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Conservative75%7%2%12%4%2,342
Moderate74%6%4%12%4%3,477
Liberal71%6%5%13%4%3,863
Don't know69%9%2%14%5%653
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Political ideologyImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Conservative10%9%81%2,353
Moderate11%10%79%3,490
Liberal15%14%72%3,858
Don't know13%9%78%643
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who have a household income of…

Political ideologyLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Conservative36%21%26%17%2,081
Moderate32%22%27%20%3,131
Liberal34%19%25%22%3,561
Don't know56%18%16%10%498
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who have completed…

Political ideologyHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Conservative52%31%12%5%2,372
Moderate39%33%17%10%3,515
Liberal32%31%21%15%3,884
Don't know59%30%7%4%660
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Political ideologyMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Conservative47%9%15%6%23%2,363
Moderate41%11%13%5%30%3,514
Liberal38%12%14%4%32%3,885
Don't know31%10%16%7%36%672
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who are…

Political ideologyParentsNon-parentsSample size
Conservative24%76%2,374
Moderate25%75%3,514
Liberal24%76%3,896
Don't know28%72%676
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who attend services seldom or never by political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say they…

Political ideologyBelieve 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
Conservative51%24%8%1%14%3%2,379
Moderate35%27%11%1%22%5%3,524
Liberal26%23%11%1%35%5%3,902
Don't know44%20%8%2%19%7%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say religion is…

Political ideologyVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Conservative30%31%20%19%1%2,379
Moderate18%27%26%29%1%3,524
Liberal13%21%22%42%1%3,902
Don't know28%25%17%29%2%680
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 political ideology

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

Political ideologyAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative38%15%7%40%1%2,379
Moderate24%14%7%54%1%3,524
Liberal21%11%6%62%< 1%3,902
Don't know34%13%5%46%2%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who attend prayer group…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative6%2%2%89%< 1%2,379
Moderate2%2%2%94%< 1%3,524
Liberal3%1%2%94%< 1%3,902
Don't know5%3%3%89%1%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who meditate…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative28%6%3%62%1%2,379
Moderate26%9%5%60%1%3,524
Liberal30%9%5%55%1%3,902
Don't know29%5%3%60%2%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative44%14%10%31%1%2,379
Moderate40%15%12%31%1%3,524
Liberal42%16%11%30%1%3,902
Don't know37%12%9%36%6%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative42%14%11%32%1%2,379
Moderate42%16%15%26%1%3,524
Liberal49%16%13%21%1%3,902
Don't know39%11%10%36%4%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Political ideologyReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Conservative19%9%60%10%2%2,379
Moderate8%15%61%14%2%3,524
Liberal6%20%52%19%2%3,902
Don't know15%9%63%8%5%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say…

Political ideologyThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative35%62%2%1%2,379
Moderate22%76%1%1%3,524
Liberal16%83%1%1%3,902
Don't know22%69%5%3%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who read scripture…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative15%6%7%71%1%2,379
Moderate8%5%6%81%< 1%3,524
Liberal7%5%5%83%< 1%3,902
Don't know13%5%5%76%1%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say the holy scripture is…

Political ideologyWord 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
Conservative23%22%2%45%9%2,379
Moderate9%19%1%63%7%3,524
Liberal8%10%1%77%5%3,902
Don't know18%15%3%47%17%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …in heaven

Political ideologyBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Conservative63%27%11%2,379
Moderate49%41%10%3,524
Liberal36%58%7%3,902
Don't know55%30%15%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who …in hell

Political ideologyBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Conservative50%40%10%2,379
Moderate37%55%9%3,524
Liberal25%68%6%3,902
Don't know44%40%16%680
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who attend services seldom or never by political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who identify as…

Political ideologyRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Conservative60%16%24%2,379
Moderate31%21%48%3,524
Liberal9%16%75%3,902
Don't know12%62%26%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who would rather have…

Political ideologySmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Conservative69%26%2%3%2,379
Moderate56%35%3%5%3,524
Liberal31%62%3%4%3,902
Don't know43%36%8%12%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say government aid to the poor…

Political ideologyDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative61%33%5%2%2,379
Moderate41%53%4%2%3,524
Liberal23%73%3%1%3,902
Don't know40%46%8%6%680
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 political ideology

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

Political ideologyLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Conservative54%40%5%2,379
Moderate75%22%3%3,524
Liberal82%15%3%3,902
Don't know55%30%15%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say homosexuality…

Political ideologyShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative60%31%5%5%2,379
Moderate83%12%3%3%3,524
Liberal88%8%2%2%3,902
Don't know68%19%7%7%680
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 political ideology

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

Political ideologyStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Conservative49%40%10%2,379
Moderate77%18%6%3,524
Liberal86%10%3%3,902
Don't know58%24%18%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say…

Political ideologyStricter 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
Conservative53%41%3%3%2,379
Moderate30%64%3%3%3,524
Liberal17%79%2%2%3,902
Don't know34%51%4%11%680
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 political ideology

% of adults who attend services seldom or never who say humans…

Political ideologyEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Conservative38%23%4%30%5%2,379
Moderate57%20%4%16%2%3,524
Liberal68%14%4%11%3%3,902
Don't know36%17%10%23%14%680
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.