Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201448%45%3%4%8,123
200744%45%5%6%6,160
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never pray by religious group

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

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Catholic47%48%2%3%893
Evangelical Protestant55%38%3%4%326
Jewish39%54%4%3%408
Mainline Protestant58%36%3%4%903
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")48%45%3%4%4,941
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services30%35%21%14%3,844
Bigger government; more services37%34%19%11%3,583
Depends24%38%20%19%269
Don't know32%31%20%17%302
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services20%18%27%25%9%1%3,844
Bigger government; more services24%21%26%22%6%1%3,583
Depends14%19%28%25%11%2%269
Don't know17%22%23%24%11%2%302
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services73%27%3,906
Bigger government; more services55%45%3,634
Depends67%33%275
Don't know60%40%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services80%3%5%9%3%3,847
Bigger government; more services68%6%7%16%3%3,602
Depends77%4%5%7%6%270
Don't know79%5%3%9%4%302
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services10%13%77%3,864
Bigger government; more services18%13%69%3,585
Depends12%10%78%271
Don't know10%11%79%304
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services22%22%30%27%3,508
Bigger government; more services32%19%26%22%3,270
Depends29%15%33%24%236
Don't know31%25%26%18%256
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services37%32%20%11%3,895
Bigger government; more services35%28%21%16%3,615
Depends29%33%24%14%274
Don't know36%33%21%10%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services44%10%10%4%33%3,888
Bigger government; more services37%11%11%3%38%3,616
Depends45%10%8%7%31%275
Don't know37%14%12%6%32%307
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services23%77%3,894
Bigger government; more services25%75%3,620
Depends26%74%273
Don't know21%79%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services16%28%14%1%34%7%3,906
Bigger government; more services16%22%13%1%42%5%3,634
Depends16%14%13%2%39%15%275
Don't know19%18%13%2%34%14%308
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 seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services5%23%33%38%< 1%3,906
Bigger government; more services8%22%28%41%< 1%3,634
Depends5%23%25%45%2%275
Don't know6%29%27%35%3%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services3%25%72%< 1%3,906
Bigger government; more services5%26%69%< 1%3,634
Depends1%21%77%< 1%275
Don't know5%20%74%1%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services1%1%2%95%< 1%3,906
Bigger government; more services2%2%3%94%< 1%3,634
Depends1%3%1%94%1%275
Don't know2%1%4%91%2%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services16%8%5%71%1%3,906
Bigger government; more services16%9%6%67%1%3,634
Depends25%7%5%62%1%275
Don't know19%8%7%64%2%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services28%15%13%43%1%3,906
Bigger government; more services31%16%13%38%1%3,634
Depends38%14%13%31%5%275
Don't know32%13%12%37%6%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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%16%15%28%1%3,906
Bigger government; more services41%16%15%28%1%3,634
Depends51%14%14%20%2%275
Don't know43%16%9%30%2%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services4%16%63%16%1%3,906
Bigger government; more services6%18%52%22%2%3,634
Depends3%18%52%23%5%275
Don't know2%16%58%14%10%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services24%75%1%1%3,906
Bigger government; more services16%83%< 1%1%3,634
Depends12%81%5%2%275
Don't know13%80%5%2%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services2%2%5%90%< 1%3,906
Bigger government; more services2%3%5%89%< 1%3,634
Depends3%5%5%86%1%275
Don't know3%4%3%88%1%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services5%12%< 1%77%6%3,906
Bigger government; more services8%10%1%76%5%3,634
Depends1%2%< 1%79%17%275
Don't know3%9%2%66%21%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services34%57%9%3,906
Bigger government; more services32%60%8%3,634
Depends15%70%15%275
Don't know32%49%20%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services24%68%8%3,906
Bigger government; more services25%69%6%3,634
Depends11%75%14%275
Don't know21%58%21%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services42%22%36%3,906
Bigger government; more services11%16%73%3,634
Depends11%25%64%275
Don't know7%34%58%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services28%44%22%6%3,906
Bigger government; more services10%28%57%6%3,634
Depends9%35%46%10%275
Don't know6%36%34%23%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services56%40%3%1%3,906
Bigger government; more services20%77%2%1%3,634
Depends17%60%20%3%275
Don't know17%62%11%10%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services76%20%3%3,906
Bigger government; more services79%19%2%3,634
Depends80%11%9%275
Don't know70%16%14%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services80%14%4%2%3,906
Bigger government; more services89%8%1%1%3,634
Depends85%7%6%2%275
Don't know81%7%4%7%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services74%21%6%3,906
Bigger government; more services86%10%3%3,634
Depends80%8%12%275
Don't know78%8%14%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services40%56%2%2%3,906
Bigger government; more services17%80%1%2%3,634
Depends10%77%7%6%275
Don't know16%61%8%14%308
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never pray by views about size of government

% of adults who seldom or never pray 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 services69%12%5%12%2%3,906
Bigger government; more services73%11%3%11%2%3,634
Depends76%8%7%4%5%275
Don't know60%7%15%6%11%308
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.