Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201420%40%35%6%3,790
200721%42%31%6%3,114
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Conservative, Moderate, Liberal

Political ideology among adults who say religion is not too important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…

Religious traditionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Catholic26%40%30%4%569
Evangelical Protestant33%43%20%4%174
Jewish10%31%58%1%166
Mainline Protestant27%40%27%7%596
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")17%40%37%6%1,924
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Conservative, Moderate, Liberal

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who are ages…

Political ideology18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Conservative26%34%25%15%723
Moderate34%36%20%11%1,472
Liberal34%36%20%10%1,377
Don't know35%34%22%10%171
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…

Political ideologyYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Conservative19%13%29%29%10%1%723
Moderate20%21%28%24%6%1%1,472
Liberal24%19%28%24%6%1%1,377
Don't know19%26%24%26%6%< 1%171
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…

Political ideologyMenWomenSample size
Conservative68%32%731
Moderate60%40%1,493
Liberal46%54%1,388
Don't know56%44%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who identify as…

Political ideologyWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Conservative80%2%4%11%2%719
Moderate76%5%7%9%3%1,480
Liberal72%6%7%10%4%1,377
Don't know69%4%13%8%6%173
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…

Political ideologyImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Conservative9%12%79%726
Moderate12%11%77%1,477
Liberal14%15%71%1,374
Don't know17%9%74%169
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who have a household income of…

Political ideologyLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Conservative26%21%31%22%643
Moderate26%20%29%25%1,349
Liberal26%20%28%27%1,268
Don't know48%14%25%12%137
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who have completed…

Political ideologyHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Conservative46%32%15%7%727
Moderate30%34%22%14%1,491
Liberal24%31%25%19%1,384
Don't know45%38%11%7%173
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…

Political ideologyMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Conservative51%9%10%3%27%723
Moderate42%9%10%4%36%1,489
Liberal40%10%10%2%38%1,386
Don't know31%10%14%4%41%174
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who are…

Political ideologyParentsNon-parentsSample size
Conservative25%75%729
Moderate26%74%1,488
Liberal23%77%1,385
Don't know23%77%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say they…

Political ideologyBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Conservative24%42%13%1%14%6%731
Moderate19%36%21%< 1%18%6%1,493
Liberal15%31%21%< 1%26%7%1,388
Don't know28%26%22%2%15%7%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who attend religious services…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative2%33%65%< 1%731
Moderate2%36%62%< 1%1,493
Liberal2%34%64%< 1%1,388
Don't know6%29%64%2%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who pray…

Political ideologyAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative16%13%11%60%1%731
Moderate12%12%11%65%< 1%1,493
Liberal12%13%9%65%< 1%1,388
Don't know19%11%12%58%< 1%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who attend prayer group…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative2%2%3%93%< 1%731
Moderate1%2%3%95%< 1%1,493
Liberal2%2%3%93%< 1%1,388
Don't know2%2%5%92%< 1%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who meditate…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative18%8%4%70%1%731
Moderate21%11%7%61%1%1,493
Liberal24%11%6%58%1%1,388
Don't know18%12%3%65%2%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative27%16%15%42%1%731
Moderate32%17%16%33%1%1,493
Liberal35%19%15%30%1%1,388
Don't know26%15%11%45%4%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative34%14%16%35%1%731
Moderate40%20%15%24%1%1,493
Liberal45%19%16%19%1%1,388
Don't know31%12%17%36%4%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Political ideologyReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Conservative4%11%70%12%2%731
Moderate2%19%64%14%2%1,493
Liberal3%23%56%18%1%1,388
Don't know12%13%61%13%2%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say…

Political ideologyThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative34%64%1%1%731
Moderate18%80%1%< 1%1,493
Liberal15%84%1%< 1%1,388
Don't know20%75%5%1%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who read scripture…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative5%4%4%87%< 1%731
Moderate4%5%6%85%< 1%1,493
Liberal3%5%6%86%< 1%1,388
Don't know6%4%6%84%< 1%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say the holy scripture is…

Political ideologyWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Conservative7%20%1%62%10%731
Moderate4%14%< 1%74%7%1,493
Liberal3%9%< 1%82%5%1,388
Don't know10%12%1%57%20%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who …in heaven

Political ideologyBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Conservative53%35%12%731
Moderate44%44%12%1,493
Liberal34%56%10%1,388
Don't know42%39%19%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who …in hell

Political ideologyBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Conservative39%51%11%731
Moderate32%59%9%1,493
Liberal20%73%7%1,388
Don't know36%46%18%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who identify as…

Political ideologyRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Conservative65%14%21%731
Moderate32%19%49%1,493
Liberal10%12%79%1,388
Don't know17%56%27%178
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who would rather have…

Political ideologySmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Conservative78%19%1%1%731
Moderate59%34%3%4%1,493
Liberal29%65%3%4%1,388
Don't know40%42%9%8%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say government aid to the poor…

Political ideologyDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative65%29%4%1%731
Moderate41%53%4%2%1,493
Liberal21%76%2%1%1,388
Don't know41%44%9%6%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say abortion should be…

Political ideologyLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Conservative64%32%4%731
Moderate81%18%2%1,493
Liberal87%11%2%1,388
Don't know62%23%14%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say homosexuality…

Political ideologyShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative69%25%3%3%731
Moderate88%8%2%2%1,493
Liberal90%7%1%1%1,388
Don't know72%11%5%11%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who …same-sex marriage

Political ideologyStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Conservative57%34%9%731
Moderate84%13%4%1,493
Liberal91%7%2%1,388
Don't know67%20%13%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say…

Political ideologyStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative51%44%2%3%731
Moderate29%67%2%2%1,493
Liberal15%83%1%1%1,388
Don't know36%56%2%7%178
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 say religion is not too important by political ideology

% of adults who say religion is not too important who say humans…

Political ideologyEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Conservative55%19%6%16%3%731
Moderate68%14%5%11%2%1,493
Liberal76%12%4%7%1%1,388
Don't know44%16%10%22%8%178
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.