Views about size of government among adults who attend services monthly or yearly

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who would rather have…

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201449%45%3%3%11,214
200742%48%4%5%11,431
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: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

Views about size of government among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by religious group

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who would rather have…

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Buddhist39%52%3%5%105
Catholic45%49%3%3%2,747
Evangelical Protestant61%34%3%3%2,367
Hindu42%54%4%< 1%111
Historically Black Protestant23%72%2%4%652
Jewish38%54%4%3%428
Mainline Protestant60%33%3%3%2,517
Orthodox Christian55%44%1%< 1%102
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")45%50%3%3%1,668
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: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are ages…

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services20%36%29%15%5,837
Bigger government; more services30%36%23%11%4,488
Depends14%38%33%15%346
Don't know24%27%28%21%336
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services13%14%30%34%9%1%5,837
Bigger government; more services20%18%28%27%7%< 1%4,488
Depends5%17%30%39%8%2%346
Don't know12%16%22%35%12%2%336
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services57%43%5,945
Bigger government; more services40%60%4,566
Depends49%51%353
Don't know41%59%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who identify as…

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services78%6%4%9%3%5,865
Bigger government; more services48%20%6%23%4%4,522
Depends68%9%2%15%5%345
Don't know65%12%4%13%6%344
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services9%10%81%5,896
Bigger government; more services22%12%66%4,479
Depends14%12%74%348
Don't know12%8%80%343
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who have a household income of…

Views about size of governmentLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Smaller government; fewer services23%20%31%25%5,290
Bigger government; more services44%20%21%16%4,080
Depends36%19%22%23%301
Don't know38%19%27%16%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.

Educational distribution among adults who attend services monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who have completed…

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services34%37%19%10%5,920
Bigger government; more services46%28%14%11%4,545
Depends34%38%16%13%353
Don't know39%37%17%8%347
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services53%7%13%5%22%5,923
Bigger government; more services37%10%14%5%34%4,555
Depends48%10%14%7%21%348
Don't know45%7%15%9%25%343
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services30%70%5,927
Bigger government; more services33%67%4,546
Depends29%71%353
Don't know24%76%347
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say they…

Views about size of governmentBelieve 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
Smaller government; fewer services64%25%5%< 1%4%2%5,945
Bigger government; more services60%26%6%1%6%2%4,566
Depends62%22%7%2%2%4%353
Don't know61%23%6%4%3%3%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say religion is…

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services43%42%11%3%< 1%5,945
Bigger government; more services47%38%11%4%< 1%4,566
Depends47%37%10%3%2%353
Don't know49%36%9%3%2%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who pray…

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services50%23%10%17%1%5,945
Bigger government; more services50%22%9%18%1%4,566
Depends57%19%8%15%2%353
Don't know54%16%10%17%3%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who attend prayer group…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services6%11%13%69%< 1%5,945
Bigger government; more services10%12%15%63%< 1%4,566
Depends9%9%11%69%2%353
Don't know7%12%12%66%3%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who meditate…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services32%9%5%52%1%5,945
Bigger government; more services34%11%6%47%1%4,566
Depends43%10%4%43%1%353
Don't know37%8%6%43%6%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services51%21%13%14%1%5,945
Bigger government; more services52%19%13%14%1%4,566
Depends63%12%13%12%1%353
Don't know60%13%10%13%4%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services42%16%16%25%1%5,945
Bigger government; more services41%17%15%26%1%4,566
Depends50%15%10%21%4%353
Don't know44%14%13%24%4%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about size of governmentReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services25%11%55%7%2%5,945
Bigger government; more services23%13%49%12%2%4,566
Depends22%12%51%7%8%353
Don't know21%12%51%5%10%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say…

Views about size of governmentThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services36%62%1%1%5,945
Bigger government; more services21%77%1%1%4,566
Depends30%61%7%2%353
Don't know22%74%1%2%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who read scripture…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services22%14%14%49%< 1%5,945
Bigger government; more services23%16%14%48%1%4,566
Depends25%17%10%47%< 1%353
Don't know25%12%10%49%4%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say the holy scripture is…

Views about size of governmentWord 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
Smaller government; fewer services21%36%2%32%8%5,945
Bigger government; more services29%29%2%33%7%4,566
Depends18%18%5%35%23%353
Don't know24%18%5%32%22%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …in heaven

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services79%15%6%5,945
Bigger government; more services76%18%5%4,566
Depends66%21%13%353
Don't know68%14%17%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …in hell

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services62%30%8%5,945
Bigger government; more services58%36%7%4,566
Depends45%36%19%353
Don't know51%31%18%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who identify as…

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services55%16%30%5,945
Bigger government; more services17%17%66%4,566
Depends19%30%50%353
Don't know15%34%51%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services43%39%13%4%5,945
Bigger government; more services22%35%37%6%4,566
Depends16%48%27%9%353
Don't know20%36%25%19%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say government aid to the poor…

Views about size of governmentDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services63%32%3%1%5,945
Bigger government; more services26%70%2%2%4,566
Depends26%55%17%3%353
Don't know27%51%10%12%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say abortion should be…

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services56%41%3%5,945
Bigger government; more services63%34%3%4,566
Depends62%25%13%353
Don't know58%27%15%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say homosexuality…

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%28%5%3%5,945
Bigger government; more services76%19%2%2%4,566
Depends69%17%10%5%353
Don't know66%15%6%13%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who …same-sex marriage

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services54%38%8%5,945
Bigger government; more services68%26%6%4,566
Depends60%21%18%353
Don't know57%24%19%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say…

Views about size of governmentStricter 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
Smaller government; fewer services48%48%2%2%5,945
Bigger government; more services27%70%1%2%4,566
Depends19%63%11%6%353
Don't know20%61%5%14%350
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 monthly or yearly by views about size of government

% of adults who attend services monthly or yearly who say humans…

Views about size of governmentEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services30%32%4%31%3%5,945
Bigger government; more services38%27%3%28%3%4,566
Depends32%28%9%22%10%353
Don't know29%27%14%19%11%350
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.