Hot Topics
Survey Reports
April 10, 2001
Faith-Based Funding Backed, But Church-State Doubts Abound
Questionnaire
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS
2001 RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE SURVEY
FINAL TOPLINE
March 5-18, 2001
N = 2,041 (197 Oversample of African-Americans)
Q.1 All in all, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going
in this country today?
Satisfied Dissatisfied No Opinion
March, 2001 47 45 8=100
February, 2001 46 43 11=100
January, 2001 55 41 4=100
September, 2000 51 41 8=100
June, 2000 47 45 8=100
April, 2000 48 43 9=100
August, 1999 56 39 5=100
January, 1999 53 41 6=100
November, 1998 46 44 10=100
Early September, 1998 54 42 4=100
Late August, 1998 55 41 4=100
Early August, 1998 50 44 6=100
February, 1998 59 37 4=100
January, 1998 46 50 4=100
September, 1997 45 49 6=100
August, 1997 49 46 5=100
January, 1997 38 58 4=100
July, 1996 29 67 4=100
March, 1996 28 70 2=100
October, 1995 23 73 4=100
June, 1995 25 73 2=100
April, 1995 23 74 3=100
July, 1994 24 73 3=100
March, 1994 24 71 5=100
October, 1993 22 73 5=100
September, 1993 20 75 4=100
May, 1993 22 71 7=100
January, 1993 39 50 11=100
January, 1992 28 68 4=100
November, 1991 34 61 5=100
Late February, 1991 (Gallup) 66 31 3=100
August, 1990 47 48 5=100
May, 1990 41 54 5=100
January, 1989 45 50 5=100
September, 1988 (RVs) 50 45 5=100
May, 1988 41 54 5=100
January, 1988 39 55 6=100
Now, thinking about your personal life...
Q.2 When you need help, would you say that you can turn to many people for
support, just a few people, or hardly any people for support?
(VOL)
Many Hardly No One/
People Just A Few Any People None DK/Ref
March, 2001 43 43 11 2 1=100
November, 1998 43 41 14 1 1=100
June, 1997 41 45 12 1 1=100
February, 1997 39 51 8 1 1=100
Q.3 Next I would like to talk with you about volunteer activity.
By volunteer activity, I mean not just belonging to an organization,
but actually spending your time helping without being paid for it. In
the PAST YEAR have you volunteered your time to (INSERT FIRST ITEM.
RANDOMIZE ITEMS). How about (INSERT ITEMS)? (RECORD ANSWER, THEN FOR ITEMS
DONE IN PAST YEAR ASK Q.4.)
Q.4 In the past MONTH, on about how many days, if any, have you done this?
(PROBE FOR BEST GUESS) (RECORD NUMBER OF TIMES, THEN ASK NEXT ITEM IN Q.3)
Didn't Do In Number of Days Volunteered
The Past Year In the Past Month
0 1 2 3-5 6+ DK/Ref
a. Any church or religious group 60 6 5 6 13 9 1=100
February, 1997 61 6 5 5 14 8 1=100
b. Any political organizations or candidates 94 3 1 1 1 * *=100
February, 1997 92 5 * 1 1 1 0=100
c. Any child or youth development
programs, such as day care centers,
schools, tutoring, scouts or little league 69 6 4 4 9 8 *=100
February, 1997 74 8 3 2 6 7 *=100
d. Any arts or cultural organization, like
a theater or music group, museum,
or public TV station 90 3 1 2 2 2 *=100
February, 1997 89 2 2 3 2 2 0=100
e. Any neighborhood, civic or community
group such as a block association or a
neighborhood watch 82 4 3 3 4 3 1=100
February, 1997 77 5 4 4 5 5 *=100
f. Any organization to help the poor,
sick, elderly, or homeless 68 9 5 4 8 5 1=100
February, 1997 66 10 5 6 8 5 *=100
ASK ALL:
Q.5 Now I am going to read you a list of some programs and proposals that are
being discussed in this country today. For each one, please tell me whether
you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose it.
The first one is... (READ AND ROTATE).
Strongly Strongly DK/
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose Ref
a. The death penalty for persons
convicted of murder (Influence) 30 36 17 10 7=100
September, 1999 41 33 15 7 4=100
June, 1996 43 35 11 7 4=100
b. Allowing gays and lesbians to
marry legally (Influence) 8 27 23 34 8=100
June, 1996 6 21 24 41 8=100
c. Providing more generous government
assistance to the poor (Influence) 28 45 17 6 4=100
d. Allowing unrestricted scientific research
related to human cloning (Influence) 2 11 33 48 6=100
e. An across the board income tax cut 28 39 17 8 8=100
f. Making it legal for doctors to give
terminally ill patients the means to
end their lives (Influence) 19 34 22 18 7=100
FORM 1 [N=1,023]:
g.F1 Allowing churches and other houses
of worship to apply, along with other
organizations, for government funding
to provide social services such as job
training or drug treatment counseling
to people who need them 30 45 13 8 4=100
February, 2001 28 36 19 11 6=100
September, 2000 32 35 17 12 4=100
FORM 2 [N=1,018]:
h.F2 Giving government funding to churches
and other houses of worship so they
can provide social services such as job
training or drug treatment counseling
to people who need them 27 39 19 11 4=100
September, 2000 21 33 27 17 2=100
ASK ALL:
Now I'm going to read you a couple of statements. Please tell if you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly
DISagree, or completely disagree with each statement...
Q.7 People should do much more than they do now to help others who are in need,
even if it costs them their own time and money. (Influence)
34 Completely agree
52 Mostly agree
9 Mostly disagree
2 Completely disagree
3 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.8 Do you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly DISagree, or completely
disagree that, in the future, the U.S. and other Western powers have
a moral obligation to use military force if necessary, to prevent one
group of people from committing genocide against another. (Influence)
36 Completely agree
38 Mostly agree
11 Mostly disagree
6 Completely disagree
9 Don't know/Refused
100
--- INFLUENCE SUMMARY TABLE ---
INTERVIEWER NOTE: FOR Q.5 - Q.8, THE FOLLOWING FOLLOW-UP QUESTION WILL BE USED
WHERE THE DESIGNATION "Influence" IS LISTED:
Q.6 Which one of the following has had the biggest influence on your thinking
on this issue... a personal experience, the views of your friends and
family, what you have seen or read in the media, your religious beliefs,
your education, OR something else? (READ IN ORDER)
Friends/ Reli- Some-
Personal Family gious Edu- thing
Experience Views Media Belief cation Else DK (N)
a. The death penalty for persons
convicted of murder 12 5 25 23 14 17 4=100
Favor 14 6 30 15 14 19 2=100 (1,290)
Oppose 9 4 15 42 14 14 2=100 (609)
b. Allowing gays and lesbians to
marry legally 12 8 9 40 12 15 4=100
Favor 20 15 13 4 24 23 1=100 (732)
Oppose 7 3 6 65 6 11 2=100 (1,145)
c. Providing more generous government
assistance to the poor 28 8 19 12 16 14 3=100
Favor 27 8 20 15 16 12 2=100 (1,499)
Oppose 33 6 17 5 20 18 1=100 (461)
d. Allowing unrestricted scientific
research related to human cloning 6 2 21 35 19 13 4=100
Favor 10 3 27 6 36 16 2=100 (276)
Oppose 5 2 20 42 17 13 1=100 (1,655)
f. Making it legal for doctors to give
terminally ill patients the means to
end their lives 24 8 13 27 11 13 4=100
Favor 35 12 15 4 16 17 1=100 (1,063)
Oppose 11 4 10 59 6 9 1=100 (840)
aa.People should do much more
than they do now to help others
who are in need, even if it costs
them their own time and money 35 12 11 18 10 12 2=100
Agree 35 12 11 20 10 11 1=100 (1,753)
Disagree 35 13 14 4 10 20 4=100 (238)
bb.In the future, the U.S.
and other Western powers have a
moral obligation to use military
force if necessary, to prevent
one group of people from committing
genocide against another 12 4 34 13 18 12 7=100
Agree 12 4 37 12 21 12 2=100 (1,529)
Disagree 14 7 35 16 14 12 2=100 (344)
On another subject...
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1,023]:
Q.9F1 In your opinion, should the churches keep out of political matters or
should they express their views on day-to-day social and political
questions?
Sept June Gallup
2000 1996 Feb 1968 March 1957
46 Should keep out 45 43 53 44
48 Should express views 51 54 40 48
6 No opinion 4 3 7 8
100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1,018]:
Q.10F2 In your opinion, should churches and other houses of worship keep out
of political matters or should they express their views on day-to-day
social and political questions?
43 Should keep out
51 Should express views
6 No opinion
100
ASK ALL:
Q.11 Do you think it is ever right for clergy to discuss political candidates
or issues from the pulpit?
Sept June Gallup
2000 1996 Nov 1965
28 Yes 32 29 22
65 No 64 66 68
7 Don't know/Refused 4 5 10
100 100 100 100
Q.12 Now I'd like your views on some groups and organizations. As I read from
a list, please tell me which category best describes your overall opinion
of what I name. (First,) would you say your overall opinion of...
(INSERT ITEM; ROTATE ITEMS IN BLOCKS(FIRST a. THRU f., THEN g. THRU o.,
ITEM p. SHOULD ALWAYS COME LAST) is very favorable, mostly favorable,
mostly UNfavorable, or very unfavorable?
(INTERVIEWERS: PROBE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN "NEVER HEARD OF" AND "CAN'T RATE.")
** OBSERVE FORM DIFFERENCES: ITEMS l. THRU o. ARE ASKED OF A QUARTER
SAMPLE.
Very Mostly Mostly Very Never
Favor- Favor- Unfavor- Unfavor- Heard Can't
FORM 1 [N=1,023]; FORM 2 [N=1,018]: able able able able Of Rate
a.F1 Congress 6 50 26 10 1 7=100
January, 2001 10 54 18 5 1 12=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 8 53 27 5 * 7=100
August, 1999 8 55 27 7 * 3=100
June, 1999 9 47 30 9 * 5=100
February, 1999 4 48 36 8 0 4=100
January, 1999 7 41 30 15 0 7=100
Early December, 1998 11 41 29 12 0 7=100
Early October, 1998 (RVs) 7 55 25 8 0 5=100
Early September, 1998 7 59 22 5 0 7=100
October, 1997 5 48 33 11 0 3=100
August 1997 6 44 33 11 0 6=100
June, 1997 4 48 34 8 0 6=100
May, 1997 5 44 32 10 * 9=100
February, 1997 6 46 31 9 * 8=100
January, 1997 6 50 32 8 * 4=100
June, 1996 6 39 38 12 * 5=100
April, 1996 6 39 37 13 0 5=100
January, 1996 4 38 38 16 * 4=100
October, 1995 4 38 42 13 0 3=100
August, 1995 5 40 34 13 * 7=100
June, 1995 8 45 31 11 * 5=100
February, 1995 10 44 27 10 0 9=100
July, 1994 7 46 34 9 * 4=100
May, 1993 8 35 35 13 0 9=100
November, 1991 7 44 34 9 0 6=100
March, 1991 16 50 19 7 0 8=100
May, 1990 6 53 25 9 1 6=100
May, 1988 8 56 23 5 0 8=100
January, 1988 6 58 25 4 0 7=100
May, 1987 10 64 16 4 * 6=100
January, 1987 7 52 23 8 0 10=100
June, 1985 9 58 21 5 * 7=100
b.F2 The Supreme Court 15 57 15 5 * 8=100
January, 2001 18 50 13 8 1 10=100
October, 1997 13 64 12 6 * 5=100
May, 1997 16 56 17 5 0 6=100
July, 1994 18 62 13 3 * 4=100
May, 1993 17 56 14 4 0 9=100
November, 1991 18 54 16 5 0 7=100
May, 1990 10 55 18 7 1 9=100
January, 1988 14 65 11 2 * 8=100
May, 1987 13 63 15 2 * 7=100
Roper, March 1985 17 47 21 7 8=100
c. The Christian conservative
movement 9 33 20 11 11 16=100
d.F1 Business Corporations 9 56 19 6 1 9=100
August, 1999 8 65 19 3 0 5=100
Early September, 1998 9 55 21 5 * 10=100
October, 1997 11 55 23 5 * 6=100
June, 1997 8 60 18 7 * 7=100
May, 1997 9 50 21 7 1 12=100
June, 1996 10 52 25 6 * 7=100
February, 1996 9 50 24 10 1 6=100
October, 1995 6 54 29 7 0 4=100
July, 1994 8 62 19 5 * 6=100
November, 1991 8 57 22 6 0 7=100
January, 1988 6 53 27 5 * 9=100
June, 1985 8 50 24 7 1 10=100
e.F2 Labor unions 16 47 21 7 1 8=100
August, 1999 12 47 27 9 * 5=100
Early September, 1998 12 40 25 13 * 10=100
June, 1997 15 43 25 10 * 7=100
May, 1997 15 34 26 13 * 12=100
April, 1996 10 37 28 17 * 8=100
February, 1996 17 37 27 14 * 5=100
July, 1994 14 43 28 10 * 5=100
January, 1988 10 42 29 10 * 9=100
July, 1985 9 37 30 17 * 7=100
f. The motion picture and
entertainment television
industry 8 42 31 15 * 4=100
June, 1999 12 48 26 12 0 2=100
g. Catholics 19 55 10 3 1 12=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 29 49 6 3 * 13=100
h. Jews 16 56 8 2 * 18=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 27 50 5 3 * 15=100
June, 1997 26 56 7 2 1 8=100
i. Evangelical Christians 13 42 12 4 8 21=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 21 42 13 3 3 18=100
February, 1996 13 26 23 15 11 12=100
July, 1994 10 33 22 10 11 14=100
May, 1990 12 31 19 19 7 12=100
j. Muslim Americans 7 38 16 8 4 27=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 11 39 13 8 2 27=100
k. American Buddhists 6 31 14 11 7 31=100
FORM 1a [N=490]; FORM 1b [N=533]:
l.F1a Methodists 16 57 6 2 2 17=100
m.F1b Episcopalians 10 44 6 3 9 28=100
FORM 2a [N=491]; FORM 2b N=527]:
n.F2a Lutherans 13 51 9 2 4 21=100
o.F2b Presbyterians 12 55 6 3 3 21=100
p. Atheists, that is, people who
don't believe in God 4 25 22 35 * 14=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 8 24 20 32 * 16=100
On another subject...
Q.13 At the present time, do you think religion as a whole is increasing its
influence on American life or losing its influence?
Increasing Losin (VOL) No
Influence Influence Same Opinion
March, 2001 37 55 4 4=100
March, 2000 (Gallup) 37 58 0 5=100
June, 1998 (Gallup) 37 56 4 3=100
March, 1994 (Gallup) 27 69 2 2=100
March, 1988 (Gallup) 36 49 6 9=100
June, 1984 (Gallup) 42 39 14 6=100
December, 1978 (Gallup) 37 48 10 5=100
December, 1974 (Gallup) 31 56 8 5=100
April, 1968 (Gallup) 19 67 8 7=100
February, 1965 (Gallup) 33 45 13 8=100
February, 1962 (Gallup) 45 32 17 7=100
March, 1957 (Gallup) 69 14 10 6=100
Q.14 In general, who do you think can do the best job of providing services
to people in need... (READ AND ROTATE)
37 Religious organizations
27 Non-religious, community-based organizations [OR]
28 Federal and state government agencies
2 None of the above (VOL)
6 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.15 These days, how much do you think churches, synagogues and other houses
of worship contribute to solving important social problems... a great
deal, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Sept 2000
23 A great deal 28
52 Some 44
18 Not much 21
4 Nothing at all 4
3 Don't know/Refused 3
100 100
Q.16 Now, thinking about some specific problem areas. For each item that
I read, please tell me WHO you think could do the best job of
providing services to people in need. (First,) (INSERT ITEM; ROTATE)...
who could do the best job providing these types of services: a religious
organization, a non-religious community-based group, or a federal or
state government agency?
OBSERVE FORM DIFFERENCES.
Non- Federal/
religious State (VOL)
Religious Community- Govt. None of
FORM 1 [N=1,023]; FORM 2 [N=1,018]: Organization Based Group Agency the Above DK/Ref
a.F1 Treatment for drug and
alcohol addiction 27 36 31 2 4=100
b.F2 Literacy training 12 31 49 2 6=100
c.F1 Mentoring programs for young
people 40 39 15 2 4=100
d.F2 Feeding the homeless 40 25 28 2 5=100
e.F1 Counseling teens about
pregnancy 39 42 12 3 4=100
f.F2 Child care 29 32 29 4 6=100
g.F1 Health care 9 28 56 2 5=100
h.F2 Job training 5 28 61 1 5=100
i.F1 Counseling and educating
prisoners 40 18 35 2 5=100
Q.17 I'm going to read the names of some specific religious groups.
For each one that I name, please tell me whether you would favor or
oppose this group applying for government funds to provide social
services to people who need them. (First,) (INSERT ITEM; ROTATE IN
BLOCKS: a./b. AND c. THRU k.; ITEM l. SHOULD ALWAYS COME LAST)
OBSERVE FORM DIFFERENCES.
FORM 1 [N=1,023]; FORM 2 [N=1,018]: Favor Oppose DK/Ref
a. Individual churches, synagogues
and other houses of worship 60 35 5=100
b. Charitable organizations that
have a religious affiliation 69 26 5=100
c.F1 Catholic churches 62 32 6=100
d.F2 Protestant churches 61 31 8=100
e.F1 Muslim mosques 38 46 16=100
f.F2 Jewish synagogues 58 34 8=100
g.F1 The Church of Scientology 26 52 22=100
h.F2 Louis Farrakhan's Nation of
Islam 29 53 18=100
i.F1 Buddhist temples 38 46 16=100
j.F2 The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, or
Mormon churches 51 41 8=100
k.F1 Evangelical Christian churches 52 35 13=100
l. Groups that encourage religious
conversion as part of the
services they provide 32 59 9=100
ROTATE Q.18 AND Q.19
Q.18 I'm going to read a few reasons why some people OPPOSE the idea of
allowing churches and other houses of worship to use government money
to provide social services. Please tell me whether each one is an
important concern of yours, or not. (First,) (READ AND ROTATE; ITEM
a. SHOULD ALWAYS COME FIRST)... Is this an important concern of
yours, or not?
Not
Important Important Don't know/
Concern Concern Refused
a. This would interfere with the
separation between church and state 52 45 3=100
b. The people who receive these services
might be forced to take part in
religious practices 60 38 2=100
c. The programs may not meet the same
standards as government-based
programs 47 48 5=100
d. This might increase religious
divisions within this country 48 48 4=100
e. Government might get too involved in
what religious organizations do 68 30 2=100
Q.19 I'm going to read a few reasons why some people FAVOR the idea of allowing
churches and other houses of worship to use government money to provide
social services. Please tell me whether you think each one is an important
reason to favor this, or not? (First,) (READ AND ROTATE)... Do you think this
is an important reason, or not?
Not
Important Important Don't know/
Reason Reason Refused
a. Religious groups could do a better
job because the power of religion can
change people's lives 62 35 3=100
b. The people who provide the services
would be more caring and compassionate 72 25 3=100
c. Religious groups could provide services
more efficiently than government
programs 60 36 4=100
d. People who need social services should
have a variety of options to pick from 77 20 3=100
Q.20 If religious organizations do use government funds to provide social
services, do you think these organizations should be allowed to ONLY
hire people who share their religious beliefs, or should they not be
allowed to do this?
18 Should be allowed to only hire people who share their religious beliefs
78 Shouldn't be allowed to do this
4 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.R1 AND Q.R2 WERE ASKED OF AN INDEPENDENT SAMPLE MARCH 23-25, 2001:
Q.R1 If religious organizations do use government funds to provide social
services, do you think these organizations should be allowed to hire
people on the basis of their religious beliefs, or should they not be
allowed to do this?
23 Should be allowed to hire people on the basis of their religious beliefs
69 Should not be allowed to do this
8 Don't know/Refused
100
(N=418)
Q.R2 If religious organizations do use government funds to provide social
services, do you think these organizations should be allowed to ONLY
hire people who share their moral values, or should they not be allowed
to do this?
25 Should be allowed to only hire people who share their moral values
62 Should not be allowed to do this
13 Don't know/Refused
100
(N=397)
Now, a few questions about your religious affiliation.
Q.21 What is your religious preference do you consider yourself Christian,
Jewish, Muslim, other non-Christian such as Buddhist or Hindu, atheist,
agnostic, something else, or don't you have a religious preference?
June 1996
82 Christian 84
1 Jewish 1
1 Muslim *
2 Other non-Christian 3
1 Atheist *
2 Agnostic *
1 Something else (SPECIFY) *
8 No preference 11
2 Don't Know/Refused 1
100 100
IF CHRISTIAN, ASK:
Q.22 Are you Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Orthodox such as Greek or Russian
Orthodox, or something else?
June 1996
53 Protestant 53
23 Catholic GO TO Q.24 23
2 Mormon GO TO Q.24 2
1 Orthodox GO TO Q.24 1
0 Non-Denominational 1
* Something else (SPECIFY) 1
0 Not practicing any religion (VOL) 1
3 Don't know/Refused GO TO Q.24 2
82% Christian 84%
IF 1 "PROTESTANT" OR 5 "SOMETHING ELSE", ASK:
Q.23 As I read a list, tell me which if any of these denominations you are
affiliated with. (READ LIST)
June 1996
17 Baptist 18
8 Methodist 10
5 Lutheran 6
3 Presbyterian 4
3 Congregational or United
Church of Christ 3
6 Nondenominational or Independent
Church 5
5 Pentecostal 3
2 Episcopalian 2
* Reformed, or *
3 Something else (SPECIFY) 2
1 Nothing in particular (DO NOT READ) 1
1 Don't Know/Refused (DO NOT READ) *
54% Protestant/Something else 54%
ASK ONLY THOSE WHO ANSWERED 1 "CHRISTIAN" OR 6 "SOMETHING ELSE" IN Q. 21
Q.24 Would you describe yourself as a "born-again" or evangelical
Christian, or not?
June 1996
36 Yes 34
43 No 47
4 Don't Know/Refused 3
83% Christian/Something else 84%
IF PROTESTANT (Q.22=1), ASK:
Q.25 As I read from a list, please tell me which if any of the following
descriptions apply to you. (First,)(INSERT, ROTATE)... does this apply
to you, or not?
Yes, Does Not Undesig-
Applies Apply nated DK/Ref
a. Fundamentalist Christian 11 23 14 5 53% Protestant
b. Pentecostal or Charismatic
Christian 7 31 13 2 53% Protestant
c. Liberal Christian 16 20 14 3 53% Protestant
IF CATHOLIC (Q.22=2), ASK:
Q.26 As I read from a list, please tell me which if any of the following
descriptions apply to you. (First,)(READ, ROTATE)... does this apply
to you, or not?
Yes, Does Not Undesig-
Applies Apply nated DK/Ref
a. Traditional Catholic 13 7 2 1 23% Catholic
b. Liberal Catholic 11 8 2 2 23% Catholic
IF RESPONDENT ANSWERED 'YES, APPLIES,' TO ITEMS a. AND b., ASK [N=101]:
Q.27 If you had to choose, which better describes you...
(READ IN SAME ORDER AS PREVIOUS QUESTION)?
41 Traditional Catholic
57 Liberal Catholic
2 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.28 Aside from weddings and funerals how often do you attend religious
services... more than once a week, once a week, once or twice a month,
a few times a year, seldom, or never?
Sept June June
2000 1997 1996
17 More than once a week 17 12 14
26 Once a week 28 26 25
17 Once or twice a month 16 17 17
17 A few times a year 17 20 21
15 Seldom 13 15 13
7 Never 8 10 9
1 Don't know/Refused 1 * 1
100 100 100 100
Q.29 Did you yourself happen to attend church, synagogue or any other place
of worship in the last seven days?
June 1996
46 Yes 42
53 No 58
1 Don't know/Refused *
100 100
Q.30 How important would you say religion is in your own life very important,
fairly important, or not very important?
Very Fairly Not very Don't Know/
Important Important Important Refused
March, 2001 64 23 12 1=100
March, 2000 (Gallup) 61 27 12 *=100
June, 1998 (Gallup) 62 25 12 1=100
June, 1996 59 26 15 *=100
March, 1994 (Gallup) 59 29 11 1=100
March, 1988 (Gallup) 54 31 14 1=100
March, 1984 (Gallup) 56 30 13 1=100
April, 1978 (Gallup) 52 32 14 2=100
November, 1965 (Gallup) 70 22 7 1=100
IF RESPONDENT ATTENDS CHURCH AT LEAST A FEW TIMES A YEAR (Q.28=1-4),
ASK [N=1,604]:
Q.31 Aside from attending religious services, how involved are you in activities at your
church or house of worship... would you say you're very involved, somewhat involved,
not too involved, or not at all involved?
Sept 2000
23 Very involved 25
31 Somewhat involved 34
26 Not too involved 25
20 Not at all involved 16
* Don't know/Refused *
100 100
Now a different kind of question...
Q.32 If you had to describe God in your OWN words, what would you say?
(ACCEPT MULTIPLE RESPONSES; IF ONLY ONE RESPONSE PROBE FOR ADDITIONAL
RESPONSES) (Open-end)
38 POWER AND MIGHT (NET)
10 Creator/Maker/Architect of the universe
9 Almighty/All powerful/Omnipotent
7 Higher power/Supreme Being/Divine Power
5 Everything/In everything/Everyone
4 Omnipresent/Everywhere/All seeing/All knowing/Omniscient
3 Magnificent/Awesome/Amazing
2 First/First above everything/One and only
2 The Lord/Lord and Master/Ruler
1 Beginning and end/Alpha and Omega
1 Infallible/Perfect
1 Everlasting/Eternal/Always was and always will be/Infinite
25 WHAT GOD DOES FOR US (NET)
6 Important/Most important part of my life/Can't do anything
without him
5 Savior/Redeemer
4 Protector/Provider/Takes care of/Watches over/Helps me/Who I
depend upon
4 Forgiving/Merciful
3 Guiding force/Way to live your life
3 Friend/always here for me/hears my prayers
2 Faith/A belief/Someone/Something to believe in/Gives meaning
1 Peace/Peace of mind/Comforting presence
1 The Word/The Way/Way to salvation/heaven
* Hope
12 LOVING, CARING, COMPASSIONATE (NET)
10 Love/All loving/Unconditional love
4 All caring/kind/understanding/compassionate
6 GOOD/GREAT (NET)
3 Great/Terrific/Wonderful
2 Good/All good things/Spirit of good
5 GOD THE FATHER (NET)
4 Father
1 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit/The Trinity
3 NOT SURE THERE IS A GOD (NET)
1 I'm not sure there is a God/May or may not exist
1 A social construct/designed for humans to have a moral
guide/a metaphor for human kindness
1 Don't believe in God/Don't care/Nothing
5 I believe/God is real/He exists
3 Beyond comprehensive/Indescribable/Can't be expressed in
words/Mysterious
3 A spirit/Spirit we carry within us/Soul/Spiritual/Holy
2 God/Allah/Buddha/"I Am"/Jesus
1 Personal/Different things to different people
1 "The man"/guy above/the good guy
1 Demanding/Judgmental/To be feared
8 Other
2 Don't know/No idea
13 No answer/Refused
Q.32a Which of these statements comes closest to describing your
feelings about the Bible?
June 1996
36 The Bible is the actual word of God and is
to be taken literally, word for word, 35
OR
The Bible is the word of God, but not everything
43 in it should be taken literally, word for word, 47
OR
14 The Bible is a book written by men and is not
the word of God. 14
3 Other (VOL) 2
4 Don't know/Refused 2
100 100
Q.33 People practice their religion in different ways...
Outside of attending religious services, do you pray
several times a day, once a day, a few times a week,
once a week or less, or never?
June 1996
37 Several times a day 29
22 Once a day 22
17 A few times a week 19
14 Once a week or less 18
8 Never 10
2 Don't know/Refused 2
100 100
Q.34 As I read a list of activities, please tell me how often, if ever,
you do each one. (First,) How often do you(READ, ROTATE)... frequently,
sometimes, hardly ever or never?
(VOL)
Freq- Some- Hardly Does Not DK/
uently times Ever Never Apply Ref
a. Attend prayer group meetings or
Bible or scripture study groups 18 20 15 46 * 1=100
b. Receive child care services at your
place of worship or some other
church-based organization 5 6 6 76 5 2=100
c. Watch religious TV programs or
listen to religious radio shows 20 29 16 34 * 1=100
ITEMS d-h ASKED OF CHURCH ATTENDERS ONLY (Q.28=1-3):
d. Work with children or youth at your
place of worship 12 16 9 22 40 1=100
e. Participate in religious education
programs at your place of worship 15 18 9 17 40 1=100
f. Participate in sports leagues
through your place of worship 3 8 7 40 41 1=100
g. Do community volunteer work
through your place of worship 11 21 9 18 40 1=100
h. Participate in a church choir or
other musical program 10 7 6 36 41 *=100
On a different subject...
Q.35 Do you think of yourself as a member of a minority because of your
religious beliefs, or not?
19 Yes
78 No
3 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1,023]:
Q.36F1 Do you think Hollywood and the entertainment industry are fair in their
portrayal of people who share your religious faith, or not?
35 Yes
49 No
16 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1,018]:
Q.37F2 Do you think the news media is fair in its portrayal of people who
share your religious faith, or not?
45 Yes
41 No
14 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK ALL:
Q.38 Do you think the number of people in the U.S. who practice religions
other than Christianity and Judaism is increasing, decreasing or
staying about the same?
IF INCREASING, ASK:
Q.39 Does this sometimes bother you, or not?
44 Increasing
13 Yes
31 No
* Don't know/Refused
11 Decreasing
34 Staying about the same
11 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1,023]:
Q.40F1 Do you think the number of people in the U.S. who are atheists or who
don't believe in God is increasing, decreasing or staying about the
same?
IF INCREASING, ASK:
Q.41F1 Does this sometimes bother you, or not?
34 Increasing
23 Yes
11 No
* Don't know/Refused
11 Decreasing
41 Staying about the same
14 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1,018]:
Q.42F2 Do you think the number of people in the U.S. who are fundamentalist
Christians is increasing, decreasing or staying about the same?
IF INCREASING, ASK:
Q.43F2 Does this sometimes bother you, or not?
27 Increasing
9 Yes
18 No
* Don't know/Refused
11 Decreasing
44 Staying about the same
18 Don't know/Refused
100
On another subject...
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1,023]:
Q.44F1 Would you object to public schools making facilities available after
school hours for use by student religious groups or organizations,
or wouldn't you object to this?
Gallup
1986
17 Would object 21
81 Would not object 74
2 Don't know/Refused 5
100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1,018]:
Q.45F2 Would you object to public schools making facilities available after
school hours for use by religious groups or organizations, or wouldn't
you object to this?
22 Would object
75 Would not object
3 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK ALL:
Q.46 Some people seem to follow what's going on in government and public affairs
most of the time, whether there's an election or not. Others aren't that
interested. Would you say you follow what's going on in government and
public affairs... (READ)
Most of Some of Only Now Hardly (Vol)
The Time the Time and Then at All DK/Ref
March, 2001 49 27 13 10 1=100
Early November, 2000 (RVs) 51 32 12 5 *=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 51 34 10 4 1=100
June, 2000 38 32 19 11 *=100
Late September, 1999 39 32 20 9 *=100
August, 1999 40 35 17 8 *=100
November, 1998 46 27 14 13 *=100
October, 1998 (RVs) 57 29 10 4 *=100
Early October, 1998 (RVs) 51 33 11 5 *=100
Early September, 1998 45 34 15 6 *=100
June, 1998 36 34 21 9 *=100
November, 1997 41 36 16 7 *=100
November, 1996 (RVs) 52 32 12 4 *=100
October, 1996 (RVs) 43 37 13 6 1=100
June, 1996 41 34 17 8 *=100
October, 1995 46 35 14 5 *=100
April, 1995 43 35 16 6 *=100
November, 1994 49 30 13 7 1=100
October, 1994 45 35 14 6 *=100
July, 1994 46 33 15 6 *=100
May, 1990 39 34 18 9 *=100
February, 1989 47 34 14 4 1=100
October, 1988 52 33 11 4 *=100
September, 1988 58 32 8 2 *=100
May, 1988 37 37 17 6 3=100
January, 1988 37 35 18 8 2=100
November, 1987 49 32 14 4 1=100
May, 1987 41 35 15 7 2=100
July, 1985 36 33 18 12 1=100
Next >>
Table of Contents
- Questionnaire
Email Updates
Sign up to receive the Pew Research Center newsletter, a regular email update with new analysis on politics, the media and more. The newsletter also offers a round-up of recent releases from all seven projects of the Center.