Views about government aid to the poor among adults who attend services seldom or never

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

Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201439%55%4%2%10,485
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: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who attend services seldom or never by religious group

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

Religious traditionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Buddhist17%73%6%4%107
Catholic46%49%4%1%1,326
Evangelical Protestant51%42%4%3%995
Historically Black Protestant26%64%5%4%181
Jewish27%69%3%1%270
Mainline Protestant46%47%5%2%1,340
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")35%59%4%2%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: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who attend services seldom or never by views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poor18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Does more harm than good24%37%24%16%3,862
Does more good than harm27%34%24%14%5,866
Neither/both equally21%40%27%13%395
Don't know18%31%30%22%199
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Does more harm than good14%17%29%28%10%1%3,862
Does more good than harm17%18%27%29%8%1%5,866
Neither/both equally12%15%34%31%8%1%395
Don't know8%18%22%32%17%3%199
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorMenWomenSample size
Does more harm than good60%40%3,924
Does more good than harm52%48%5,944
Neither/both equally58%42%406
Don't know54%46%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Does more harm than good76%5%3%12%3%3,871
Does more good than harm71%7%4%13%5%5,870
Neither/both equally68%8%4%16%4%393
Don't know65%8%6%15%6%201
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Does more harm than good11%10%79%3,873
Does more good than harm13%12%75%5,869
Neither/both equally12%13%75%399
Don't know20%10%70%203
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Does more harm than good29%22%30%19%3,440
Does more good than harm38%19%23%20%5,333
Neither/both equally38%24%23%15%344
Don't know47%21%16%16%154
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Does more harm than good45%33%14%7%3,906
Does more good than harm37%31%19%13%5,913
Neither/both equally44%31%16%9%402
Don't know54%24%13%9%210
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Does more harm than good45%10%13%6%27%3,901
Does more good than harm38%12%15%5%31%5,921
Neither/both equally38%11%16%6%28%404
Don't know34%8%16%12%30%208
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorParentsNon-parentsSample size
Does more harm than good25%75%3,912
Does more good than harm24%76%5,933
Neither/both equally25%75%405
Don't know16%84%210
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorBelieve 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
Does more harm than good41%26%10%1%18%4%3,924
Does more good than harm32%24%10%1%29%4%5,944
Neither/both equally43%18%8%2%21%8%406
Don't know42%18%10%4%17%8%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good21%29%22%26%1%3,924
Does more good than harm18%23%23%36%1%5,944
Neither/both equally22%28%22%25%3%406
Don't know29%27%16%22%6%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good28%14%7%50%1%3,924
Does more good than harm25%12%6%56%1%5,944
Neither/both equally30%15%6%47%2%406
Don't know40%14%7%38%2%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good4%1%2%93%< 1%3,924
Does more good than harm3%2%2%92%< 1%5,944
Neither/both equally3%2%2%92%1%406
Don't know8%2%1%89%< 1%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good24%7%4%64%1%3,924
Does more good than harm30%9%5%56%1%5,944
Neither/both equally31%8%7%53%1%406
Don't know39%5%6%45%4%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good40%15%11%33%1%3,924
Does more good than harm41%15%12%30%1%5,944
Neither/both equally46%14%9%27%4%406
Don't know43%16%9%28%4%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good41%15%12%32%1%3,924
Does more good than harm47%15%14%23%1%5,944
Neither/both equally44%15%10%27%4%406
Don't know42%14%13%28%4%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good12%12%63%11%1%3,924
Does more good than harm9%18%54%17%2%5,944
Neither/both equally11%13%60%11%5%406
Don't know14%13%55%8%9%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good30%68%1%1%3,924
Does more good than harm18%80%1%1%5,944
Neither/both equally18%72%7%3%406
Don't know19%69%2%10%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good10%5%6%78%< 1%3,924
Does more good than harm9%5%6%80%< 1%5,944
Neither/both equally11%6%5%77%1%406
Don't know20%4%3%71%2%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorWord 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
Does more harm than good15%20%2%57%7%3,924
Does more good than harm11%14%1%68%6%5,944
Neither/both equally10%11%3%55%21%406
Don't know12%12%4%46%26%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Does more harm than good55%36%10%3,924
Does more good than harm43%49%8%5,944
Neither/both equally47%38%15%406
Don't know51%29%20%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Does more harm than good43%48%9%3,924
Does more good than harm31%62%8%5,944
Neither/both equally38%48%14%406
Don't know39%39%22%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Does more harm than good48%22%29%3,924
Does more good than harm15%19%67%5,944
Neither/both equally26%30%44%406
Don't know21%41%38%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good36%35%21%8%3,924
Does more good than harm14%33%47%6%5,944
Neither/both equally25%35%25%14%406
Don't know18%33%25%24%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good72%24%2%2%3,924
Does more good than harm34%58%3%5%5,944
Neither/both equally42%29%18%10%406
Don't know41%24%7%28%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good64%32%4%3,924
Does more good than harm78%19%3%5,944
Neither/both equally63%23%14%406
Don't know52%23%25%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good71%22%4%3%3,924
Does more good than harm85%11%2%2%5,944
Neither/both equally74%13%10%3%406
Don't know62%16%8%15%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good62%30%8%3,924
Does more good than harm81%14%5%5,944
Neither/both equally67%19%14%406
Don't know57%20%23%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorStricter 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
Does more harm than good48%48%2%2%3,924
Does more good than harm20%75%2%3%5,944
Neither/both equally24%56%14%7%406
Don't know22%51%5%22%211
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 views about government aid to the poor

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

Views about government aid to the poorEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good48%22%4%23%4%3,924
Does more good than harm62%16%4%15%3%5,944
Neither/both equally44%16%13%15%12%406
Don't know30%19%10%17%25%211
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.