Views about size of government among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who would rather have…

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201448%46%3%3%6,792
200742%49%5%5%5,816
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by religious group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who would rather have…

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Catholic41%54%2%3%1,854
Evangelical Protestant52%41%3%4%827
Historically Black Protestant22%69%2%7%175
Jewish46%49%3%3%231
Mainline Protestant58%35%4%3%1,550
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")49%46%2%3%1,614
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are ages…

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services21%35%27%17%3,443
Bigger government; more services28%38%22%12%2,812
Depends12%33%30%25%196
Don't know25%29%30%17%223
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services13%14%28%32%11%1%3,443
Bigger government; more services17%19%30%26%8%1%2,812
Depends5%16%24%35%19%1%196
Don't know12%19%22%34%12%< 1%223
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services61%39%3,508
Bigger government; more services43%57%2,852
Depends49%51%199
Don't know46%54%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services81%4%4%8%3%3,474
Bigger government; more services50%10%5%32%3%2,834
Depends70%3%3%15%9%196
Don't know63%11%2%17%6%227
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services10%10%80%3,477
Bigger government; more services31%10%59%2,803
Depends19%8%73%196
Don't know15%7%78%228
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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%21%31%26%3,120
Bigger government; more services46%18%21%15%2,522
Depends36%20%23%21%163
Don't know38%24%21%16%179
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who have completed…

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services35%33%19%13%3,495
Bigger government; more services50%25%14%11%2,835
Depends37%36%14%13%198
Don't know37%36%19%8%232
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services53%8%11%5%23%3,496
Bigger government; more services40%13%13%4%30%2,841
Depends53%8%13%8%17%198
Don't know43%10%14%6%27%231
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services27%73%3,499
Bigger government; more services34%66%2,846
Depends27%73%198
Don't know24%76%231
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

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say religion is…

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services20%50%23%7%< 1%3,508
Bigger government; more services34%43%16%7%< 1%2,852
Depends36%39%13%8%3%199
Don't know26%49%18%6%2%233
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who attend religious services…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services16%43%41%< 1%3,508
Bigger government; more services24%42%34%< 1%2,852
Depends19%42%38%< 1%199
Don't know20%36%43%1%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who pray…

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services28%26%13%32%1%3,508
Bigger government; more services40%23%11%25%< 1%2,852
Depends46%26%9%19%1%199
Don't know37%25%11%23%4%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services8%6%7%79%< 1%3,508
Bigger government; more services14%10%9%67%1%2,852
Depends8%10%11%71%< 1%199
Don't know10%3%6%80%2%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services26%12%6%56%1%3,508
Bigger government; more services35%12%5%47%1%2,852
Depends41%9%5%43%2%199
Don't know37%7%6%47%3%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services37%21%16%25%1%3,508
Bigger government; more services48%18%14%18%1%2,852
Depends50%17%16%16%< 1%199
Don't know44%21%11%19%6%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services39%17%18%25%1%3,508
Bigger government; more services44%17%15%22%2%2,852
Depends52%13%16%14%4%199
Don't know43%12%16%29%1%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services11%14%65%10%1%3,508
Bigger government; more services18%15%50%15%2%2,852
Depends20%10%56%6%9%199
Don't know17%11%56%6%9%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services30%68%1%1%3,508
Bigger government; more services19%79%1%1%2,852
Depends19%74%6%< 1%199
Don't know24%69%4%4%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services12%9%10%69%< 1%3,508
Bigger government; more services19%12%10%59%1%2,852
Depends13%14%10%63%< 1%199
Don't know15%8%7%68%2%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services8%31%1%52%8%3,508
Bigger government; more services23%25%1%43%7%2,852
Depends12%14%3%45%25%199
Don't know14%17%5%45%19%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in heaven

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services69%22%8%3,508
Bigger government; more services72%20%8%2,852
Depends58%26%17%199
Don't know60%21%19%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in hell

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services48%43%9%3,508
Bigger government; more services51%41%8%2,852
Depends37%43%20%199
Don't know43%40%17%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services50%17%33%3,508
Bigger government; more services16%20%64%2,852
Depends22%26%52%199
Don't know16%29%55%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services35%44%17%4%3,508
Bigger government; more services19%33%43%6%2,852
Depends14%44%31%11%199
Don't know14%45%28%13%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services60%36%3%1%3,508
Bigger government; more services26%69%2%2%2,852
Depends24%57%15%4%199
Don't know25%58%8%9%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say abortion should be…

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%32%4%3,508
Bigger government; more services63%34%3%2,852
Depends68%24%8%199
Don't know62%24%14%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say homosexuality…

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services74%20%3%2%3,508
Bigger government; more services81%14%2%2%2,852
Depends74%11%8%6%199
Don't know75%14%5%7%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …same-sex marriage

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%27%8%3,508
Bigger government; more services73%21%6%2,852
Depends65%20%15%199
Don't know71%17%12%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services43%53%2%2%3,508
Bigger government; more services25%70%1%3%2,852
Depends18%65%11%6%199
Don't know22%63%7%7%233
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 believe in God and are fairly certain by views about size of government

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain 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 services45%27%6%19%3%3,508
Bigger government; more services47%24%4%22%3%2,852
Depends45%23%10%14%9%199
Don't know44%18%14%14%11%233
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.