Hot Topics
Survey Reports
June 25, 1996
THE DIMINISHING DIVIDE ... AMERICAN CHURCHES, AMERICAN POLITICS
Questionnaire
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE PRESS
MAY 1996 RELIGION AND POLITICS SURVEY
-- TOPLINE --
May 31 - June 9, 1996
N =1,975
Hello, I am _____ calling for Princeton Survey Research Associates in
Princeton, New Jersey. We are conducting a telephone opinion survey for
leading newspapers and TV stations around the country. I'd like to ask a few
questions of the youngest male, 18 years of age or older, who is now at home.
[IF NO MALE, ASK: May I please speak with the oldest female, 18 years of age
or older, who is now at home?]
Q.1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job
as president? (IF "DON'T KNOW," ENTER AS CODE 9. IF "DEPENDS," PROBE
ONCE WITH: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill
Clinton is handling his job as president?)
Approve DisapproveDon't Know
June, 1996 54 38 8=100
April, 1996 53 39 8=100
March, 1996 55 38 7=100
February, 1996 51 39 10=100
January, 1996 50 43 7=100
October, 1995 48 42 10=100
September, 1995 45 42 13=100
August, 1995 44 44 12=100
June, 1995 50 40 10=100
April, 1995 47 43 10=100
March, 1995 44 44 12=100
February, 1995 44 44 12=100
December, 1994 41 47 12=100
November, 1994 48 40 12=100
October, 1994 41 47 12=100
Early October, 1994 38 47 15=100
September, 1994 41 52 7=100
July, 1994 45 46 9=100
June, 1994 42 44 14=100
May, 1994 46 42 12=100
March, 1994 45 42 13=100
January, 1994 51 35 14=100
Early January, 1994 48 35 17=100
December, 1993 48 36 16=100
October, 1993 44 42 14=100
September, 1993 49 35 16=100
Early September, 199343 43 14=100
August, 1993 39 46 15=100
May, 1993 39 43 18=100
Early May, 1993 45 37 18=100
April, 1993 49 29 22=100
February, 1993 56 25 19=100
Q.1a Do you approve or disapprove of the policies and proposals of the
Republican leaders in Congress? (IF DON'T KNOW," ENTER AS CODE 9. IF
"DEPENDS," PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of
the policies and proposals of the Republican leaders in Congress?)
April March Feb Jan Oct Sept Aug June April March Dec
1996 1996 1996 1996 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1994
36 Approve 39 35 33 36 36 36 38 41 44 43 52
50 Disapprove 46 51 53 54 51 50 45 45 43 39 28
14 Dk/Refused 15 14 14 10 13 14 17 14 13 18 20
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.2 How much thought have you given to the coming Presidential election...
quite a lot or only a little?
43 Quite a lot
5 Some (VOL)
47 Only a little
4 None (VOL)
1 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.3 Suppose the 1996 presidential election were being held TODAY, and the
candidates were Bill Clinton, the Democrat and Bob Dole, the Republican.
Who would you vote for?
Q.3a Do you support (INSERT CHOICE FROM Q.3) strongly or only moderately?
IF "OTHER/UNDECIDED" IN Q.3, ASK:
Q.4 As of TODAY, do you LEAN more to Clinton, the Democrat, or Dole, the
Republican?
BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS: [N=1500]
55 Clinton/Lean Clinton
22 Strongly
29 Only moderately
1 Don't know
40 Dole/Lean Dole
13 Strongly
23 Only moderately
1 Don't know
5 Other/Don't know/Refused
100
Q.5 What's your opinion of the presidential candidates this year? Would you
say that you are very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not too satisfied, or
not at all satisfied with the choices?
Oct Aug June
1992 1992 1992
9 Very satisfied 10 11 6
37 Fairly satisfied 41 42 31
31 Not too satisfied 33 31 35
19 Not at all satisfied 14 15 26
4 Don't know/Refused 2 1 2
100 100 100 100
Q.6 These days, many people are so busy they can't find time to register to
vote, or move around so often they don't get a chance to re-register...
Are you NOW registered to vote in your precinct or election district, or
haven't you been able to register so far?
IF REGISTERED, ASK:
Q.6a Are you absolutely certain you are registered to vote, or is there a
chance your registration has lapsed because you moved or for some other
reason?
Early
Oct April Nov Oct Oct July June
1995 1995 1994 1994 1994 1994 1992
79 Yes, registered 76 76 73 77 76 79 76
75 Abolutely sure 73 74 70 74 72 75 73
4 Chance 3 2 2 3 4 4 3
0 Don't know * 0 1 0 * 0 0
21 No 23 23 26 22 23 20 23
* Not sure/Dk 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.7 Do you yourself plan to vote in the election this November?
IF YES, ASK:
Q.7a How certain are you that you will vote? Are you absolutely certain,
fairly certain, or not certain?
IF NO, ASK:
Q.7b How certain are you that you will NOT vote? Are you absolutely certain,
fairly certain, or not certain?
-- Based on Registered Voters --
Oct Sept Aug June
1992 1992 1992 1992
88 Yes -- GO TO Q.7a 98 98 97 89
71 Absolutely certain 91 85 89 75
15 Fairly certain 6 11 8 12
2 Not certain 1 2 * 2
8 No -- GO TO Q.7b 1 1 1 7
5 Absolutely certain n/a n/a n/a 1
2 Fairly certain n/a n/a n/a 1
1 Not certain n/a n/a n/a 5
4 Dk/Refused -- GO TO Q.8 1 1 2 4
100 100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.8 How often would you say you vote... (READ)
FebOctApril NovOctJulyJuneMay Nov MayFeb Jan May
19961995 19951994 1994199419921992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
41 Always 32 41 42 43 43 40 47 41 38 33 45 39 34
30 Nearly always 34 32 29 24 28 30 26 32 37 35 30 33 37
12 Part of the time 15 12 12 11 13 14 10 13 13 12 10
12 11
12 Seldom 11 11 11 13 10 11 11 11 9 10 8 8 6
1 (VOL) Other 1 * * 1 5 * 1 * 0 1 1 1 2
4 (VOL) Never vote 6 3 6 8 1 5 5 3 3 8 6
6 9
* Don't know 1 1 * * * * * * * 1 * 1 1
100 100100 100100100 100100 100 100 100100
100 100
Q.9 Are you more interested or less interested in politics this year than
you were in 1992?
June March
1992 1992
41 More 55 57
35 Less 24 27
22 Same (VOL) 19 14
2 Don't know/Refused 2 2
100 100 100
Q.10 Suppose the 1996 elections for U.S. Congress were being held TODAY,
would you vote for the Republican Party's candidate or the Democratic
Party's candidate for Congress in your district?
Q.11 As of TODAY, do you LEAN more to the Republican or the Democrat?
BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS: [N=1500]
Early
March Jan OctAug Nov Oct OctSeptJuly
1996 19961995199519941994 1994 1994 1994
44 Republican/Lean Republican 44 46 48 50 45 47 52
48 45
50 Democrat/Lean Democrat 49 47 48 43 43 44 40 46 47
6 Other candidate/Undecided (VOL.) 7 7 4 7 12 9
8 6 8
100 100 100 100100 100 100 100100 100
(NO QUESTION 12)
Q.13 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
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose DK
a. The death penalty for persons
convicted of murder (Influence) 43 35
11 7 4=100
b. Restricting the sale of handguns 29 24
26 19 2=100
July, 1994 35 23 19 21 2=100
May, 1993 28 27 26 17 2=100
May, 1990 38 27 20 13 2=100
c. President Clinton's decision to send
20,000 U.S. troops to Bosnia as part
of an international peacekeeping force
(Influence) 8 35 32 20 5=100
d. Allowing gays and lesbians to
marry legally (Influence) 6 21
24 41 8=100
e. Denying welfare benefits to unwed
teenagers who have children 11 25 40
16 8=100
September, 1995 39
53 8=100
f. Allowing Christmas nativity scenes
and Christmas carols in public schools
during the holidays 45 45 5
3 2=100
Q.13 con't ...
Strongly Strongly
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose DK
g. Allowing public schools to provide
students with information on birth
control methods 37 39 13
9 2=100
Q.14 Which comes closer to your view?... Abortion should be generally
available to those who want it; Abortion should be available but under
stricter limits than it is now; Abortion should be against the law
except in cases of rape, incest, and to save the woman's life; Abortion
should not be permitted at all. (Influence)
--- CBS/NYT ---
Feb 1996
32 Generally available 36
24 Available, but under stricter limits 22
33 Against law except rape/incest/save life 34
9 Abortion should not be permitted at all 7
2 Don't know/Refused 1
100 100
NOW, ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT...
Q.15 I am going to read you some pairs of statements that will help us
understand how you feel about a number of things. As I read each pair,
tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement comes
closer to your own views -- even if neither is exactly right. The first
is ...(READ AND ROTATE)
April Oct April Oct July
1996 1995 1995 1994 1994
a. The government should do more to help needy
48 Americans, even if it means going deeper into debt 49 47
46 50 48
The government today can't afford to do much
47 more to help the needy (Influence) 44 47 47 43 47
5 Neither/Don't know 7 6 7 7 5
100 100 100 100 100 100
Oct April Oct July
1995 1994 1994 1994
b. Racial discrimination is the main reason why many black
31 people can't get ahead these days 37 34 34 32
Blacks who can't get ahead in this country are mostly
57 responsible for their own condition 53 56 54 59
12 Neither/Don't know 10 10 12 9
100 100 100 100 100
c. This country should do whatever it takes to protect
77 the environment 77 74 77 78
This country has gone too far in its efforts to protect
19 the environment (Influence) 20 22 19 19
4 Neither/Don't know 3 4 4 3
100 100 100 100 100
d. 76 Society has been improved because women are now represented
in the work place
19 Society made a mistake in encouraging so many women with families
to work (Influence)
5 Neither/Don't know
100
July
1994
e. 37 Immigrants today strengthen our country because of their hard work
and talents 31
Immigrants today are a burden on our country because they take our
jobs,
54 housing and health care 63
9 Neither/Don't know 6
100 100
--- INFLUENCE SUMMARY TABLE ---
INTERVIEWER NOTE: FOR QUESTIONS 13-15, THE FOLLOWING FOLLOW-UP
QUESTION WILL
BE USED WHERE THE DESIGNATION "Influence" IS LISTED.
Which one of the following has had the biggest influence on your
thinking on this issue... (READ AND ROTATE): 1) A personal experience,
2) The views of your friends and family, 3) What you have seen or read
in the media, 4) Your religious beliefs, 5)Your education, 6) OR
Something else (ALWAYS END WITH THIS), 9) Don't know/Refused.
Friends/ Some-
PersonalFamily Religious thing
ExperienceViewsMediaBeliefEducationElse DK
13a. The death penalty for persons
convicted of murder 13 6 21 18 21 18 3=100
13c. President Clinton's decision to send
20,000 U.S. troops to Bosnia as part
of an international peacekeeping force 15 7 35 6
18 16 3=100
13d. Allowing gays and lesbians to
marry legally 10 7 9 37 17
17 3=100
14. Which comes closer to your view?...
Abortion should be generally available, ...
available but under stricter limits, ...
against the law except in cases of rape,
incest, and to save the woman's life, ...
not permitted at all. 18 7 7 28 22 16 2=100
15a. The government should do more to
help needy Americans, even if it means
going deeper into debt
The government today can't afford to
do much more to help the needy26 7 22 6 24
13 2=100
15c. This country should do whatever
it takes to protect the environment
This country has gone too far in its
efforts to protect the environment 22 3 24 3 36
10 2=100
15d. Society has been improved because
women are now represented in the
work place,
Society made a mistake in encouraging
so many women with families to work45 8 7 4 23
11 2=100
ON ANOTHER SUBJECT...
Q.16 Now I'd like your views on some people and things in the news. As I
read from a list, please tell me which category best describes your
overall opinion of who or what I name. (First,) would you say your
overall opinion of... (INSERT ITEM. ROTATE ITEMS a.-h.; i.-k.) is very
favorable, mostly favorable, mostly UNfavorable, or very unfavorable?
(INTERVIEWERS: PROBE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN "NEVER HEARD OF" AND
"CAN'T
RATE")
Very MostlyMostly Very Never
Favor- Favor-Unfavor-Unfavor- HeardCan't
able able able able of Rate
a. Bill Clinton 16 45 23 14 * 2=100
April, 1996 16 41 24 16 0 3=100
February, 1996 20 35 22 21 0 2=100
January, 1996 13 43 27 15 0 2=100
August, 1995 13 36 29 20 0 2=100
February, 1995 14 41 25 17 0 3=100
December, 1994 17 34 24 22 0 3=100
July, 1994 15 43 25 16 * 1=100
May, 1993 18 42 23 12 0 5=100
July, 1992 17 42 25 9 0 7=100
June, 1992 10 36 33 14 1 6=100
May, 1992 11 42 32 10 * 5=100
March, 1992 10 43 29 11 1 6=100
February, 1992 15 44 24 7 2 8=100
January, 1992 9 28 11 4 27 21=100
November, 1991 5 25 8 2 39 21=100
b. Hillary Clinton 13 40 26 17 * 4=100
April, 1996 12 37 27 19 0 5=100
February, 1996 14 28 27 27 0 4=100
January, 1996 10 32 28 26 0 4=100
October, 1995 14 44 24 14 - 4=100
August, 1995 16 33 25 22 * 4=100
July, 1994 19 38 22 18 1 2=100
May, 1993 19 41 18 11 1 10=100
c. Louis Farrakhan 3 13 25 30 21 8=100
July, 1994 2 8 14 24 44 8=100
d. Bob Dole 10 42 27 15 * 6=100
April, 1996 10 38 29 15 1 7=100
February, 1996 12 43 24 15 1 5=100
January, 1996 8 44 28 15 * 5=100
August, 1995 12 37 26 12 2 11=100
February, 1995 17 41 18 10 4 10=100
December, 1994 17 41 18 10 5 9=100
July, 1994 14 45 19 9 6 7=100
May, 1993 11 37 20 8 11 13=100
May, 1990 7 45 15 5 13 15=100
May, 1987 9 51 11 3 9 17=100 Q.16 con't ...
Very MostlyMostly Very Never
Favor- Favor-Unfavor-Unfavor- HeardCan't
able able able able of Rate
e. Pope John Paul II 28 48 9 4 1 10=100
May, 1990 31 48 7 4 1 9=100
May, 1987 28 48 10 4 1 9=100
f. Pat Robertson 5 24 30 18 15 8=100
September, 1987 5 22 24 18 11 20=100
g. The Congress 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
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
h. The Christian Coalition 10 35 23 12 6 14=100
i. Business Corporations 10 52 25 6 * 7=100
February, 1996 9 50 24 10 1 6=100
October, 1995 6 54 29 7 - 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
ASK Q.17 OF FORM 1 ONLY: [N=998]
Q.17F1 Thinking about the two major political parties in this country,
which one would you say is most concerned with protecting
religious values... the Republicans or the Democrats? (ROTATE
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS)
45 The Republicans
34 The Democrats
8 Neither (VOL)
3 Both equally (VOL)
10 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK Q.18 OF FORM 2 ONLY: [N=977]
Q.18F2 In your opinion, is either the Democratic party or the Republican
party too closely tied to religious leaders these days, or not?
IF YES, ASK: Which party would you say is too closely tied to
religious leaders these days?
19 Republican
4 Democrat
5 Both equally (VOL)
62 Neither is too closely tied
10 Don't know/Refused
100
ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT...
Q.19 Are you now employed full-time, part-time or not employed?
Feb March
1995 1994
57 Full-time 55 53
13 Part-time 11 14
30 Not employed 34 32
* Don't Know/Refused * 1
100 100 100
IF EMPLOYED, ASK: [ N=1440]
Q.20 Do you now earn enough money to lead the kind of life you want, or not?
-- U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT --
Feb March Oct Aug May Jan
1995 1994 1992 1992 1992 1992
44 Yes 41 44 3633
34 39
56 No 58 56 6366 65 61
* Don't know 1 * 1 1 1 *
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
(N=816)
IF EMPLOYED, ASK:
Q.21 Do you think you will be able to earn enough money in the future to lead
the kind of life you want, or not?
-- U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT --
Feb March Oct Aug May Jan
1995 1994 1992 1992 1992 1992
34 Yes 35 33 35 36 34 34
20 No 20 20 2325 28 22
2 Don't know/Refused 3 3 5 5 3 5
56% 58% 54% 63% 66% 65% 61%
(N=1440) (N=816)(N=2001)(N=817) (N=777)
(N=852) (N=1002)
ASK ALL:
NOW A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.
Q.22 What is your religious preference -- do you consider yourself Christian,
Jewish, Muslim, other non-Christian, or don't you have a religious
preference?
84 Christian
1 Jewish
* Muslim
3 Other non-Christian
11 No preference
* Something else [SPECIFY] (VOL)
* Agnostic (VOL)
* Atheist (VOL)
1 Don't Know/Refused
100
IF CHRISTIAN, ASK:
Q.22a Are you Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Orthodox -- such as Greek or
Russian Orthodox, or something else?
53 Protestant
23 Catholic -- GO TO Q.23
2 Mormon -- GO TO Q.23
1 Orthodox -- GO TO Q.23
1 Non-Denominational
1 Something else [SPECIFY]
1 Not practicing any religion (VOL)
2 Don't know/Refused -- GO TO Q.23
84% Christian
IF 1 "PROTESTANT" OR 5 "SOMETHING ELSE", ASK:
Q.22b As I read a list, tell me which if any of these denominations you are
affiliated with. (READ LIST)
18 Baptist
10 Methodist
6 Lutheran
4 Presbyterian
3 Congregational or United Church of Christ
5 Nondenominational or Independent Church
3 Pentecostal
2 Episcopalian
* Reformed
2 Other [SPECIFY] (DO NOT READ)
1 Nothing in particular (DO NOT READ)
* Don't Know/Refused (DO NOT READ)
54% Protestant/Something else
ASK ONLY THOSE WHO ANSWERED 1 "CHRISTIAN" OR 6 "SOMETHING ELSE" IN Q.
22
Q.23 Would you describe yourself as a "born-again" or evangelical Christian,
or not?
34 Yes
47 No
3 Don't Know/Refused
84% Christian/Something else
IF "YES", ASK:
Q.23a By "born again" do you mean a specific, one-time conversion experience
or a gradual development of faith over time?
38 Specific experience
55 Gradual over time
7 Don't know/Refused
100 IF PROTESTANT (Q.22a=1), ASK:
Q.24 As I read from a list, please tell me which if any of the following
descriptions apply to you. (READ ALL ITEMS)
10 Fundamentalist Christian
5 Pentecostal or Charismatic Christian, OR
14 Progressive Christian
9 None of the above (DO NOT READ)
4 Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ)
42% Protestant
IF CATHOLIC (Q.22a=2), ASK:
Q.24a As I read from a list, please tell me which if any of the following
descriptions apply to you. (READ ALL ITEMS)
11 Traditional Catholic, OR
10 Progressive Catholic
1 None of the above (DO NOT READ)
1 Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ)
23% Catholic
ASK ALL:
Q.25 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?
14 More than once a week
25 Once a week
17 Once or twice a month
21 A few times a year
13 Seldom
9 Never
1 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.26 Did you yourself happen to attend church, synagogue or any other
place of worship in the last seven days?
42 Yes
58 No
* Don't know/Refused
100
Q.27 When you were growing up, were you and your family active members of a
church, synagogue, or other place of religious worship?
82 Yes
18 No -- GO TO Q.29
0 Don't remember (VOL) -- GO TO Q.29
* Don't know/Refused -- GO TO Q.29
100
IF "YES", ASK:
Q.28 What faith or denomination did you and your family belong to? (open-end)
(IF RESPONDENT GIVES A GENERAL RESPONSE SUCH AS PROTESTANT OR
CHRISTIAN,
PROBE FOR DENOMINATION)
24 Catholic
19 Baptist
9 Methodist
6 Lutheran
4 Presbyterian
4 Protestant
3 Congregational or United Church of Christ
2 Pentecostal
2 Episcopalian
1 Mormon
1 Nondenominational or Independent Church
1 Jewish
* Assemblies of God
* Reformed
* Orthodox
* Seventh Day Adventist
* Muslim
1 Other non-Christian
4 Other [SPECIFY] (DO NOT READ)
* Can't remember (DO NOT READ)
1 Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ)
82%
ASK ALL:
Q.29 How important would you say religion is in your own life -- very
important, fairly important, or not very important?
-- Gallup --
1965
59 Very important 70
26 Fairly important 22
15 Not very important 7
* Don't know/Refused *
100 100
ON ANOTHER SUBJECT...
Q.30 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?
-- Gallup --
1968
43 Should keep out 53
54 Should express views 40
3 No opinion 7
100 100
Q.31 Do you think it is ever right for clergymen to discuss political
candidates or issues from the pulpit?
-- Gallup --
1965
29 Yes 22
66 No 68
5 Don't know/Refused 10
100 100
ASK ONLY THOSE WHO ATTEND CHURCH AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH
(Q.25=1,2,3),
[N=1138]
Q.32 As I read a list of issues, please tell me whether or not the clergy at
your place of worship speaks out on this issue... First, (READ AND
ROTATE)
Yes No DK
a. Abortion 60 39 1=100
b. Hunger and poverty 87 12 1=100
c. World trouble spots ... such as Bosnia or Rwanda 59 39
2=100
d. Prayer in public schools 56 41 3=100
e. Pornography laws 41 56 3=100
f. The death penalty 27 70 3=100
g. Right to die laws 29 66 5=100
h. Health care reform 26 71 3=100
i. Candidates and elections 21 77 2=100
j. Laws regarding homosexuals 36 62 2=100
--- FOLLOW-UP SUMMARY TABLE ---
INTERVIEWER NOTE: FOR ITEMS d., i., j. IN Q.32, IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS "YES,"
ASK THIS FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:
Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that your clergy speaks
out on this issue?
Good BadNeither DK
32d. Prayer in public schools 92 5 2 1=100
32i. Candidates and elections 78 14 6 2=100
32j. Laws regarding homosexuals 83 10 3 4=100
ASK ALL:
ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT...
Q.33 Do you consider the United States a Christian nation, or not?
60 Yes
34 No
6 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK Q.34-35 ONLY THOSE WHO ATTEND CHURCH AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A
MONTH
(Q.25=1,2,3), [N=1138]
Q.34 Now, thinking back to the 1994 congressional elections in your state,
did the clergy at your place of worship or any other religious groups
urge you to vote a particular way?
7 Yes
91 No
2 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.35 Was information on candidates or parties made available in your place of
worship before the election?
14 Yes
83 No
3 Don't know/Refused
100
(NO QUESTION 36)
ASK ALL:
ON ANOTHER SUBJECT...
Q.37 Do you believe in a God? IF "YES" ASK: How strong would you say this
belief is? Are you absolutely certain there is a God, fairly sure there
is, not quite sure but like to think there is, OR not at all sure but
not sure there isn't?
-- Gallup --
1965
72 Believe in God absolutely certain 81
14 Believe in a God fairly sure 12
8 Believe in a God not quite sure 3
1 Believe in God not at all sure 1
4 Do not believe 2
1 Don't know/Refused 1
100 100
Q.38 Which of these statements comes closest to describing your feelings
about the Bible?
35 The Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally,
word for word,
OR
The Bible is the word of God, but not everything in it should be
taken literally,
47 word for word,
OR
14 The Bible is a book written by men and is not the word of God.
2 Other (VOL)
2 Don't Know/Refused
100
Q.39 Do you think your soul will live on after death?
-- Gallup --
1965
80 Yes 75
10 No -- GO TO Q.41 10
10 Don't know -- GO TO Q.41 15
100 100
IF "YES" IN Q.39, ASK:
Q.40 Do you think there is a heaven, where people who have led good lives are
eternally rewarded?
-- Gallup --
1965
70 Yes ,Believe in heaven 68
7 No, Don't believe in heaven 3
3 Don't know if believe in heaven/Refused 4
80% 75%
Q.40a Do you think there is a hell, to which people who have led bad lives and
die without being sorry are eternally damned?
-- Gallup --
1965
57 Yes, Believe in hell 54
18 No, Don't believe in hell 13
5 Don't know if believe in hell/Refused 8
80% 75%
ASK ALL:
Q.41 Which do you think is most important for the church to do -- to convert
people to a spiritual belief so that they can earn a happy life after
death, or to teach people how to live better every day with all other
people?
14 Convert to spiritual belief
73 Teach people how to live better
10 Both (VOL)
1 Neither (VOL)
2 Undecided
100
ON ANOTHER SUBJECT...
Q.42 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?
29 Several times a day
22 Once a day
19 A few times a week
18 Once a week or less
10 Never
2 Don't know/Refused
100
(NO QUESTION 43)
Q.44 At your family meals at home, does anyone say grace, or give thanks to
God aloud, before the meal?
-- Gallup --
July 1962
60 Yes 60
39 No 36
1 Don't know/Refused 4
100 100
(NO QUESTION 45 OR 46)
Q.47 Now I am going to read you a list of some political figures. For each
name that I read, please tell me how religious you think that person is
-- very religious, somewhat religious, not too religious, or not at all
religious. First, (INSERT NAME; ROTATE).
ASK ITEMS a., c., e. OF FORM 1 ONLY: [N=998]; ASK ITEMS b., d., f. OF
FORM 2 ONLY: [N=977].
Some- NotNot atDon't
Very what too all know
a.F1 Bill Clinton 16 52 14 7 11=100
b.F2 Ronald Reagan 18 50 11 5 16=100
c.F1 Bob Dole 11 51 12 5 21=100
d.F2 Hillary Clinton 11 45 18 7 19=100
e.F1 Newt Gingrich 5 30 22 13 30=100
f.F2 Jimmy Carter 48 30 5 2 15=100
ASK ALL:
Q.48 Now I'm going to mention certain groups and organizations. Please tell
me whether you would like to see them have MORE influence in government
and political matters than they have now, or LESS influence than they
have now. (READ AND ROTATE)
(VOL)
About
More Less Right DK
1. The Protestants 33 44 7 16=100
2. The Roman Catholics 27 53 7 13=100
3. The Jews 27 49 8 16=100
4. Evangelical Christians 27 51 5 17=100
Q.49 Which of the following, if any, do you personally do... (First,) do
you... (INSERT ITEM; ROTATE)
Yes No DK
a. Watch religious TV programs or
listen to religious radio shows 45 55 *=100
b. Listen to Christian music on radio,
CD, or cassette 45 55 *=100 Q.49 con't ...
Yes No DK
c. Attend prayer group meetings or
Bible study groups 31 69 *=100
d. Send a son or daughter to a religious school 15 84 1=100
FILTER ITEM e. BASED ON CHURCH
ATTENDANCE (Q.25=1,2,3), [N=1138]
e. Do community volunteer work
through your place of worship 55 45 0=100
ASK ALL:
NOW ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SUBJECT...
Q.50 In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or
Independent?
Early
FebOctApril MarFebDecNovOctOctJuly JuneMayFebMay Jan May
19961995 19951995 19951994 19941994 19941994 1992 1990 1989 1988
1988
1987
30 Republican 30 30 30 35 33 35 28 31 33 29 28 28 31 28 27 25
33 Democrat 32 30 29 28 30 31 31 32 3033 32 33 38 38 39 37
34 Independent 32 35 37 32 33 30 35 33 32 35 36 28 23 26 26 28
2 No preference 3 3 3 - - - 4 3 - 2 1 9 7 6
6 8
* Other party 1 * * 2 2 2 * * 2 * * * * * * *
1 Don't know 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 1 3 1 3 2 1 2 2 2
100 100100100 100100100100100100100100 100100100100100
(NO QUESTION 51 OR 52)
Q.53 As of TODAY, do you LEAN more to the Republican Party or the Democratic
Party?
Feb OctApril Nov OctJulyJuneMay Feb May Jan May
1996199519951994199419941992 1990198919881988 1987
11 Republican 13 14 18 13 14 17 14 13 9 12
11 13
17 Democratic 13 16 14 13 12 14 13 13 11 12
13 13
9 Neither 12 10 9 15 8 7 13 13 11 10 10 12
37% 38 40 41 41 34 38 40 39 31 34 34 38 ASK ALL:
Q.54 In general, would you describe your political views as...(READ)
April July
1996 1994
7 Very conservative 7 7
32 Conservative 31 32
38 Moderate 39 39
14 Liberal, OR 14 15
6 Very liberal? 5 4
3 Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 4 3
100 100 100
Q.54a Do you consider yourself a member of the Religious Right political
movement, or not?
7 Yes
88 No
5 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.55 How often, if ever, do you listen to radio shows that invite listeners
to call in to discuss current events, public issues and politics...
(READ)
AprilMarch Oct April Nov July Dec April
1996 1996 1995 1995 1994 1994 1993 1993
17 Regularly 13 18 18 19 16 17 23 23
25 Sometimes 23 28 33 30 31 29 22 32
26 Rarely 25 24 25 24 26 24 25 23
31 Never 39 30 24 27 26 30 30 22
1 Don't know/Refused * * * * 1 *
0 *
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
(NO QUESTION 56)
Q.57 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)
OctApril Nov OctJulyMay Feb MayJan May
1995199519941994 199419901989198819881987
41 Most of the time 46 43 49 45 46 39 47 37 37 41
34 Some of the time 35 35 30 35 33 34 34 37 35 35
17 Only now and then14 16 13 14 15 18 14 17 18 15
8 Hardly at all 5 6 7 6 6 9 4 6 8 7
* Don't know * * 1 * * * 1 3 2 2
100 100100 100 100 100100 100 100 100100
Q.58 In the 1992 Presidential election, did things come up which kept you
from voting, or did you happen to vote? IF VOTED, ASK: Did you vote
for Clinton, Bush or Perot?
July
1994
33 Yes, Clinton 35
25 Yes, Bush 25
11 Yes, Perot 11
* Yes, other candidate 1
1 Yes, don't remember which candidate 1
27 No, didn't vote/Too young22
0 Don't remember if voted 1
3 Refused 4
100 100
Q.59 In the 1994 elections for Congress last November, did things come up
which kept you from voting, or did you happen to vote?
Oct April
1995 1995
58 Yes, voted 62 62
38 No, didn't vote/Too young 35 37
4 Don't Remember if voted/Refused 3 1
100 100 100
IF RESPONDENT ANSWERED "YES" IN Q.59, ASK:
Q.59a Are you absolutely certain you voted, or is there a chance you may not
have?
Oct April
1995 1995
53 Absolutely certain 57 58
5 Didn't vote/may not have voted 5 4
58% 62% 62%
IF RESPONDENT ANSWERED "YES, CERTAIN" IN Q.59a, ASK:
Q.59b Did you happen to vote for a Republican candidate or a Democratic
candidate for U.S. Congress in your district?
Oct April
1995 1995
45 Republican 47 50
46 Democrat 43 40
1 Other/Independent candidate 1 2
* Didn't vote for Congress * 1
7 Don't Remember which candidate 6 5
1 Refused 3 2
100 100 100
(N=2262) (N=1219) (N=1101)
(NO QUESTION 60)
ASK ALL:
Q.61 In 1994, did you go to any political meetings, rallies, speeches,
dinners, or things like that in support of a particular candidate?
8 Yes
91 No
1 Don't know/Refused
100
(NO QUESTION 62)
ASK Q.63 OF FORM 1 ONLY: [N=998]
Q.63F1 Sometimes the media are accused of being biased for or against
certain people or groups of people. For example, do you think
television and the newspapers and magazines and radio are fair in
their treatment of fundamentalist Christians or do you think they
make them look better than they are, or make them look worse than
they are?
18 Better
29 Fair
36 Worse
17 DK/Refused
100
ASK Q.64 OF FORM 2 ONLY:[ N=977]
Q.64F2 Sometimes the media are accused of being biased for or against
certain people or groups of people. For example, do you think
television and the newspapers and magazines and radio are fair in
their treatment of very religious people, or do you think they
make them look better than they are, or make them look worse than
they are?
19 Better
29 Fair
35 Worse
17 DK/Refused
100
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