Hot Topics
Survey Reports
July 24, 2003
Religion and Politics: Contention and Consensus
Questionnaire
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS
AND PEW FORUM ON RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE
2003 RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE SURVEY
FINAL TOPLINE
June 24 - July 8, 2003
N=2002
Q.1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job
as president? [IF DK ENTER AS DK. IF DEPENDS PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do
you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as
President? IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS DK]
Approve Disapprove Don't know
Mid-July, 2003 58 32 10=100
Early July, 2003 60 29 11=100
June, 2003 62 27 11=100
May, 2003 65 27 8=100
April 10-16, 2003 72 22 6=100
April 9, 2003 74 20 6=100
April 2-7, 2003 69 25 6=100
March 28-April 1, 2003 71 23 6=100
March 25-27, 2003 70 24 6=100
March 20-24, 2003 67 26 7=100
March 13-16, 2003 55 34 11=100
February, 2003 54 36 10=100
January, 2003 58 32 10=100
December, 2002 61 28 11=100
Late October, 2002 59 29 12=100
Early October, 2002 61 30 9=100
Mid-September, 2002 67 22 11=100
Early September, 2002 63 26 11=100
Late August, 2002 60 27 13=100
August, 2002 67 21 12=100
Late July, 2002 65 25 10=100
July, 2002 67 21 12=100
June, 2002 70 20 10=100
April, 2002 69 18 13=100
Early April, 2002 74 16 10=100
February, 2002 78 13 9=100
January, 2002 80 11 9=100
Mid-November, 2001 84 9 7=100
Early October, 2001 84 8 8=100
Late September, 2001 86 7 7=100
Mid-September, 2001 80 9 11=100
Early September, 2001 51 34 15=100
August, 2001 50 32 18=100
July, 2001 51 32 17=100
June, 2001 50 33 17=100
May, 2001 53 32 15=100
April, 2001 56 27 17=100
March, 2001 55 25 20=100
February, 2001 53 21 26=100
Q.2 I'd like to get your views on some issues that are being discussed in this
country today. All in all, do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or
strongly oppose [READ AND RANDOMIZE; OBSERVE FORM SPLITS] Do you strongly
favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose [NEXT ITEM]
Strongly Strongly DK/
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]: Favor Favor Oppose Oppose Ref
a.F1 The death penalty for
persons convicted of murder 28 36 20 10 6=100
March, 2002 33 34 17 9 7=100
March, 2001 30 36 17 10 7=100
September, 1999 41 33 15 7 4=100
June, 1996 43 35 11 7 4=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
b.F2 The death penalty for
persons convicted of
murder when they were
under the age of 18? 11 24 38 20 7=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
c.F1 Making it legal for doctors
to give terminally ill
patients the means to end
their lives 18 36 22 17 7=100
March, 2001 19 34 22 18 7=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
d.F2 Making it legal for doctors
to assist terminally ill
patients in committing suicide 14 29 24 24 9=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
e.F1 Allowing gays and lesbians
to marry legally 10 28 23 30 9=100
March, 2001 8 27 23 34 8=100
June, 1996 6 21 24 41 8=100
ASK ALL:
Q.3 Looking ahead, would you like to see George W. Bush re-elected President in 2004 or
would you prefer that a Democratic candidate win the election? [INTERVIEWER: IF R SAYS
"OTHER" OR "SOMEONE ELSE," PROBE ONCE BEFORE CODING AS OTHER]
------------ Total ------------- --------- Registered Voters --------
Bush Prefer Other/ Bush Prefer Other/
Re-elected Democrat DK Re-elected Democrat DK
Mid-July, 2003 45 37 18=100 47 37 16=100 (N=1546)
April, 2003 46 35 19=100 48 34 18=100
Late March, 2003 (Gallup) 51 36 13=100 51 36 13=100
Mid-March, 2003 (Gallup) 45 42 13=100 45 42 13=100
February, 1992 40 48 12=100 39 49 12=100
January, 1992 42 42 16=100 41 45 14=100
November, 1991 41 43 16=100 41 44 15=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.4F1 At the present time, do you think religion as a whole is increasing its influence on
American life or losing its influence?
Increasing Losing Same No
Influence Influence (VOL) Opinion
Mid-July, 2003 30 56 5 9=100
March, 2002 37 52 3 8=100
December, 2001 (Gallup) 71 24 2 3=100
Mid-November, 2001 78 12 3 7=100
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
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.5F2 At the present time, do you think religion as a whole is increasing its influence in
THE WORLD or losing its influence?
Increasing Losing Same No
Influence Influence (VOL) Opinion
Mid-July, 2003 36 51 4 9=100
March, 2002 38 50 3 9=100
ASK ALL:
Q.6 Now thinking about some specific religious groups... Is your overall opinion of
[INSERT FIRST ITEM,RANDOMIZE; ITEM g/h SHOULD ALWAYS COME LAST. OBSERVE FORM SPLITS] very
favorable, mostly favorable, mostly UNfavorable, or very unfavorable? [INTERVIEWERS:
PROBE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN "NEVER HEARD OF" AND "CAN'T RATE."]
Very Mostly Mostly Very Never
Favor- Favor- Unfavor- Unfavor- Heard Can't
able able able able Of Rate
a. Catholics 21 48 12 6 * 13=100
March, 2002 19 55 9 4 * 13=100
Mid-November, 2001 29 49 5 3 * 14=100
March, 2001 19 55 10 3 1 12=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 29 49 6 3 * 13=100
Q.6 CONTINUED... Very Mostly Mostly Very Never
Favor- Favor- Unfavor- Unfavor- Heard Can't
able able able able Of Rate
b. Jews 20 52 6 3 1 18=100
March, 2002 18 56 7 2 * 17=100
Mid-November, 2001 24 51 5 2 * 18=100
March, 2001 16 56 8 2 * 18=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 27 50 5 3 * 15=100
June, 1997 26 56 7 2 1 8=100
c. Evangelical Christians 18 40 12 6 3 21=100
March, 2002 13 42 13 5 7 20=100
March, 2001 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
d. Protestants 20 50 7 3 2 18=100
March, 2002 20 54 6 2 1 17=100
Mid-November, 2001 28 49 3 2 1 17=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
e.F1 Muslim Americans 10 41 15 9 1 24=100
March, 2002 8 46 14 8 2 22=100
Mid-November, 2001 15 44 12 5 1 23=100
March, 2001 7 38 16 8 4 27=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 11 39 13 8 2 27=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
f.F2 Muslims 9 38 19 12 12 1=100
March, 2002 7 40 18 11 1 23=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
g.F1 Atheists, that is, people who don't
believe in God 7 27 19 33 * 14=100
March, 2002 5 29 23 31 * 12=100
Mid-November, 2001 7 25 21 28 * 19=100
March, 2001 4 25 22 35 * 14=100
September, 2000 (RVs) 8 24 20 32 * 16=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
h.F2 People who are not religious 9 41 19 14 * 17=100
March, 2002 9 42 19 11 * 19=100
ASK ALL:
On another subject...
Q.7 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?
March Sept June Gallup
2001 2000 1996 Feb 1968 March 1957
44 Should keep out 43 45 43 53 44
52 Should express views 51 51 54 40 48
4 No opinion 6 4 3 7 8
100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.8 If clergy DO speak out on issues, should they reflect the views of the members of their
congregation, or should they express their own views, even if most members disagree?
36 Reflect views of members
52 Express their own views
4 Should not give views (VOL.)
8 No opinion (VOL.)
100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.9F1 Do you think there has been too much, too little or the right amount of expressions of
religious faith and prayer by political leaders?
March Early Oct
2002 2001
21 Too much 16 12
41 Too little 24 22
29 Right amount 53 60
9 Don't know/Refused 7 6
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.10F2 Do you think George W. Bush mentions his religious faith and prayer too much, too little,
or about the right amount?
14 Too much
11 Too little
62 About the right amount
13 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
ASK ALL:
Q.11 How much do you think George W. Bush relies on his own religious beliefs in making policy
decisions a great deal, a fair amount, or not very much?
20 A great deal
40 A fair amount
31 Not very much
9 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Q.12 In making policy decisions, do you think he relies on his religious beliefs too much,
too little or about the right amount?
10 Too much
21 Too little
58 About the right amount
11 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Q.13 In the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, which side do you sympathize with more,
Israel or the Palestinians?
Both Neither
Israel Palestinians (VOL) (VOL) DK/Ref
Mid-July, 2003 41 13 8 18 20=100
June, 2002 46 12 6 19 17=100
Early April, 2002 41 13 6 21 19=100
Mid-October, 2001 47 10 8 18 17=100
Early September, 2001 40 17 6 23 14=100
September, 1997 48 13 5 16 18=100
September, 1993 45 21 3 18 12=100
Chicago CFR: 1990 34 13 7 26 20=100
Chicago CFR: 1982 41 17 8 19 16=100
Chicago CFR: 1978 39 12 8 15 13=100
IF ANSWER GIVEN (1-4 IN Q.13), ASK [N=1610]:
Q.14 Which one of the following has had the biggest influence on your thinking on this issue
(The dispute between Israel and the Palestinians)... (READ; RANDOMIZE OPTIONS 1 THRU 5)
Sympathize more with...
Israel Palestinians
8 A personal experience 7 10
4 The views of your friends and family 6 2
33 What you have seen or read in the media 34 37
20 Your religious beliefs 26 11
21 Your education 18 30
10 OR Something else (ALWAYS END WITH THIS) 7 9
4 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 2 1
100 100 100
(N=819) (N=266)
ASK ALL:
Q.15 Some people believe God gave the land that is now Israel to the Jewish people. Other people
do not believe this is literally true. Which comes closer to your own view?
44 Believe Israel given to the Jewish people by God
36 Don't believe this is literally true
20 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Q.16 Some people say that the state of Israel is a fulfillment of the biblical prophesy about
the second coming of Jesus. Do you believe that this is true, or not?
36 Yes, true
46 No, not true
18 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Now, a few questions about your religious affiliation.
Q.17 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?
March March June
2002 2001 1996
81 Christian 82 82 84
2 Jewish 1 1 1
* Muslim * 1 *
4 Other non-Christian 1 2 3
2 Atheist 1 1 n/a
3 Agnostic 2 2 n/a
1 Something else (SPECIFY) 2 1 n/a
6 No preference 10 8 11
1 Don't know/Refused 1 2 1
100 100 100 100
IF 1 'CHRISTIAN' IN Q.17, ASK:
Q.18 Are you Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Orthodox such as Greek or Russian Orthodox,
or something else?
March March June
2002 2001 1996
52 Protestant 52 53 54
23 Catholic 24 23 23
1 Mormon 2 2 2
* Orthodox * 1 1
1 Something else (SPECIFY) 2 * 1
- Not practicing any religion - - 1
4 Don't know/Refused 2 3 2
81% Christian 82% 82% 84%
IF 1 'CHRISTIAN' OR 7 'SOMETHING ELSE' IN Q.17, ASK:
Q.19 Would you describe yourself as a "born again" or evangelical Christian, or not?
March March June
2002 2001 1996
37 Yes 35 36 34
41 No 44 43 47
4 Don't Know/Refused 5 4 3
82% Christian/Something else 84% 83% 84%
IF CATHOLIC (Q.18=2), ASK:
Q.20 Please tell me which if any of the following descriptions apply to you:
traditional Catholic, or progressive Catholic?
June
1996
13 Traditional Catholic, OR 11
8 Progressive Catholic 10
1 Neither (VOL) 1
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL) 1
23% Catholic 23%
ASK ALL:
Q.21 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?
March March Mid-Nov March Sept June June
2003 2002 2001 2001 2000 1997 1996
16 More than once a week 15 15 16 17 17 12 14
27 Once a week 24 25 26 26 28 26 25
15 Once or twice a month 15 17 14 17 16 17 17
18 A few times a year 21 18 17 17 17 20 21
14 Seldom 15 15 16 15 13 15 13
10 Never 9 9 10 7 8 10 9
* Don't know/Refused 1 1 1 1 1 * 1
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.22 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
Mid-July, 2003 61 24 14 1=100
December, 2002 60 27 12 1=100
March, 2002 63 24 12 1=100
Mid-November, 2001 61 24 14 1=100
March, 2001 64 23 12 1=100
March, 2000 (Gallup) 61 27 12 *=100
Q.22 CONTINUED... Very Fairly Not very Don't know/
Important Important Important Refused
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
Q.23 In recent years do you attend religious services more often, less often, or has there been
no change?
New York Times
Dec 1995
24 More often 20
19 Less often 21
56 No change 58
1 Don't know/No answer (VOL.) 1
100 100
Q.24F1/
Q.25F2 Which of these statements comes closest to describing your feelings about the Bible?
Standard Reverse March June
Total Order Order 2001 1996
35 32 38 The Bible is the actual word of God and is 36 35
to be taken literally, word for word, OR
43 42 44 The Bible is the word of God, but not everything 43 47
in it should be taken literally, word for word, OR
16 19 13 The Bible is a book written by men 14 14
and is not the word of God.
2 2 2 Other (VOL.) 3 2
4 4 3 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 4 2
100 100 100 100 100
(N=1001) (N=1001)
ASK ALL:
On another subject
Q.26 How much would you say you know about the Muslim religion and its practices?
[READ, IN ORDER]
March Mid-Nov
2002 2001
4 A great deal 5 6
27 Some 29 32
39 Not very much 37 37
29 Nothing at all 28 24
1 Don't know/Refused 1 1
100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
ASK ONLY IF R HAS A RELIGION OTHER THAN ISLAM (1,2,4,7 IN Q.17) [N=858]:
Q.27F1 From what you know, do you think that the Muslim religion and your own religion
have a lot in common, or
do you think that the Muslim religion and your religion are very different?
March Mid-Nov
2002 2001
22 A lot in common 27 31
60 Very different 57 52
18 Don't know/Refused 16 17
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.28F2 Would you say you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of Islam?
March ------- ABC/Beliefnet --------
2002 Jan 2002 Oct 2001
40 Favorable 38 41 47
34 Unfavorable 33 24 39
26 No Opinion 29 35 13
100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.29 Next, I would like to ask you some questions about the Muslim religion. Not everyone
will know about them. First [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
Correct Incorrect Don't know/
Answer Answer Refused
a. Do you happen to know what name
Muslims use to refer to God? [Allah] 45 9 46=100
March, 2002 47 11 42=100
b. Do you happen to know the name of the
Islamic equivalent to the Bible? [Koran] 42 4 54=100
March, 2002 43 8 49=100
On another subject...
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.30F1 Here are some statements made by prominent U.S. political leaders. For each statement,
please tell me
whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable with a political leader making this kind of
religious reference. First, [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
Comfortable Uncomfortable Don't know
a. "The liberty we prize is not America's gift to
the world, it is God's gift to humanity." 67 27 6=100
b. "I have never believed the Constitution required
our schools to be religion-free zones...." 44 49 7=100
c. "Unique among the nations, America recognized the
source of our character as being godly and eternal...." 54 38 8=100
d. "...[T]he Constitution promises freedom OF religion,
not freedom FROM religion." 71 24 5=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.31F2 Here are some statements made by prominent U.S. political leaders. For each statement,
please tell me
whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable with a political leader making this kind of
religious reference. First, [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
Comfortable Uncomfortable Don't know
a. President George W. Bush said "The liberty we
prize is not America's gift to the world, it is God's
gift to humanity." 73 22 5=100
b. President Bill Clinton said "I have never believed
the Constitution required our schools to be
religion-free zones...." 59 34 7=100
c. Attorney General John Ashcroft said "Unique among
the nations, America recognized the source of our
character as being godly and eternal...." 56 34 10=100
d Senator Joe Lieberman said "...[T]he Constitution
promises freedom OF religion, not freedom
FROM religion." 70 23 7=100
ASK ALL:
Q.32 Do you believe that it is proper or improper for journalists to ask politicians how their
religious beliefs affect their opinions on issues of the day?
IF "IMPROPER" (2 IN Q.32) ASK:
Q.33 Do you think it's proper or improper for journalists to do this if the politician talks
about his or her religious beliefs first?
57 Proper
39 Improper
20 Proper, if politician talks about it first
17 Improper, if politician talks about it first
2 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
4 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.34F1 Between now and the 2004 political conventions, there will be discussion about the
qualifications of presidential candidates--their education, age, religion, race, and
so on. If your party nominated a generally well-qualified person for president who
happened to be...[INSERT ITEM, RANDOMIZE], would you vote for that person?
-Rotation Experiment-
Yes, would Don't Know/ DK/
vote for No Refused Yes No Refused
a. Catholic - Precedes item c. 90 8 2=100 (N=521) Follows item c. 85 10 5=100 (N=480)
May, 2003 (Gallup) 93 5 2=100
February, 1999 (Gallup) 94 4 2=100
April, 1983 (Gallup) 92 5 3=100
July, 1978 (Gallup) 91 4 5=100
March, 1969 (Gallup) 87 7 5=100
April, 1967 (Gallup) 90 8 2=100
July, 1965 (Gallup) 87 10 3=100
August, 1963 (Gallup) 84 13 3=100
August, 1961 (Gallup) 82 13 5=100
May, 1960 (Gallup) 71 21 8=100
December, 1959 (Gallup) 70 25 5=100
April, 1959 (Gallup) 70 21 9=100
September, 1958 (Gallup) 67 27 6=100
August, 1958 (Gallup) 69 24 7=100
July, 1958 (Gallup) 72 24 4=100
May, 1958 (Gallup) 72 21 7=100
April, 1958 (Gallup) 70 22 8=100
June, 1956 (Gallup) 72 22 5=100
January, 1955 (Gallup) 69 23 8=100
March, 1940 (Gallup) 61 33 7=100
February, 1937 (Gallup) 60 30 10=100 DK/
Yes No Refused
b. Jewish - Precedes item c. 85 10 5=100 (N=525) Follows item c. 80 15 5=100 (N=476)
May, 2003 (Gallup) 89 8 3=100
February, 1999 (Gallup) 92 6 2=100
July, 1987 (Gallup) 89 6 5=100
April, 1983 (Gallup) 88 7 5=100
July, 1978 (Gallup) 82 12 6=100
March, 1969 (Gallup) 86 8 6=100
April, 1967 (Gallup) 82 13 5=100
July, 1965 (Gallup) 80 15 5=100
August, 1963 (Gallup) 77 17 6=100
August, 1961 (Gallup) 68 23 9=100
December, 1959 (Gallup) 72 22 6=100
September, 1958 (Gallup) 63 29 7=100
August, 1958 (Gallup) 62 28 10=100
February, 1937 (Gallup) 46 47 8=100
c. Muslim 56 38 6=100 (N=1001)
-Rotation Experiment8-
Yes, would Don't Know/ DK/
vote for No Refused Yes No Refused
d. An atheist - Precedes item c. 46 50 4=100 (N=513) Follows item c. 43 54 3=100 (N=488)
February, 1999 (Gallup) 49 48 3=100
August, 1987 (Gallup) 44 48 8=100
April, 1983 (Gallup) 42 51 7=100
July, 1978 (Gallup) 40 53 7=100
December, 1959 (Gallup) 22 74 5=100
September, 1958 (Gallup) 18 77 5=100
August, 1958 (Gallup) 18 75 7=100
DK/
e. An Evangelical Yes No Refused
Christian - Precedes item c. 79 15 6=100 (N=531) Follows item c. 74 19 7=100 (N=470)
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.35F2 Between now and the 2004 political conventions, there will be discussion about the
qualifications of
presidential candidates--their education, age, religion, race, and so on. Are there
any reasons why you might not vote for [INSERT ITEM, RANDOMIZE] for president if he
or she were nominated by the party you usually prefer?
Yes, there are reasons No, Don't Know/
NOT to vote for No reasons Refused
a. A Catholic 15 78 7=100
Precedes item c. 13 80 7=100 (N=480)
Follows item c. 17 77 6=100 (N=521)
b. A Jew 14 80 6=100
Precedes item c. 9 85 6=100 (N=492)
Follows item c. 19 75 6=100 (N=509)
c. A Muslim 31 58 11=100
d. An atheist 41 53 6=100
Precedes item c. 38 56 6=100 (N=489)
Follows item c. 43 50 7=100 (N=512)
e. An Evangelical Christian 20 70 10=100
Precedes item c. 19 72 9=100 (N=510)
Follows item c. 21 67 12=100 (N=491)
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.36F1 As I read from a list, please tell me if you would like to see more of this, less of this,
or no change in the amount of this in the next few years. First, [RANDOMIZE]
No Don't Know/
More Less Change Refused
a. Religious leaders appearing on
television talk shows 26 32 39 3=100
b. Religious leaders serving as advisers for
elected officials 33 28 37 2=100
c. Religious leaders running for public office 30 29 38 3=100
d. Religious leaders forming political movements 22 42 33 3=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1001]:
Q.37F2 I am going to name several types of groups or organizations. For each, please tell me
whether you feel that group is generally friendly toward religion, neutral toward
religion, or unfriendly toward religion? Do you think [INSERT ITEM AND RANDOMIZE]
is/are generally friendly, neutral, or unfriendly toward religion?
Don't Know/
Friendly Neutral Unfriendly Refused
a. The Democratic party 42 36 12 10=100
b. The Republican party 52 27 10 11=100
c. Hollywood and the makers of movies
and TV entertainment shows 16 31 45 8=100
d. News reporters and the news media 16 41 34 9=100
e. University professors 18 40 26 16=100
f. Liberals 26 33 27 14=100
g. Conservatives 51 25 10 14=100
ASK ALL:
ROTATE Q.38 AND Q.39
Q.38 In the choices and decisions you make in a typical day, how often do you find yourself
using your religious beliefs to help you decide what to do frequently, occasionally,
only once in a while, or hardly ever?
CBS News/New York Times
April 2002 Sept 1995
45 Frequently 50 49
22 Occasionally 21 24
14 Only once in a while 14 15
14 Hardly ever 12 10
4 Never (VOL.) 3 2
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 0 n/a
100 100 100
Q.39 When you vote in an election, how often do you find yourself using your religious beliefs
to help you decide how to vote frequently, occasionally, only once in a while,
or hardly ever?
22 Frequently
16 Occasionally
11 Only once in a while
36 Hardly ever
11 Never (VOL.)
4 Don't vote/Can't vote/Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Q.40 Please tell me if you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly DISagree, or completely
disagree with this statement... The government should guarantee health insurance for
all citizens, even if it means repealing most of the tax cuts passed under President Bush.
38 Completely agree
34 Mostly agree
14 Mostly disagree
10 Completely disagree
4 Don't know/Refused [VOL.]
100
Q.41 Do you see this as strictly a political issue or is it also a moral issue?
33 Strictly a political issue
52 Also a moral issue
11 Both (VOL.)
1 Neither (VOL.)
3 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.42 As I read you a pair of statements, tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND
statement comes closer to your own views even if neither is exactly right.
March
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=1001]: 2002
a.F1 Some religions are more likely than others
52 to encourage violence among believers 47
-OR-
38 Religions are all about the same in this regard 41
5 Neither (VOL) 4
5 Don't know/Refused 8
100 100
March
ASK FORM 2 ONLY ONLY [N=1001]: 2002
b.F2 The Islamic religion is more likely than others to
44 encourage violence among its believers 25
-OR-
41 The Islamic religion does not encourage violence
more than others 51
3 Neither (VOL) 3
12 Don't know/Refused 21
100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.43 How much of a role does religion play in causing most wars and conflicts in the world?
[READ, IN ORDER]
March
2002
44 A great deal 34
35 A fair amount 31
12 Only a little [OR] 20
6 None at all 9
3 Don't know/Refused 6
100 100
Q.44 Have you heard or read anything about the effort to discourage people from buying
Sport Utility Vehicles that asks the question "What would Jesus drive?"
31 Yes
67 No
2 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Q.45 What's your opinion, do you think that Jesus WOULD or WOULD NOT drive an SUV?
29 Would
33 Would not
7 Would not drive/would walk (VOL.)
31 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
D.17 And one last short list [RANDOMIZE]
Yes No DK/Ref
a. Do you have a friend, colleague, or family member who is gay? 45 52 3=100
August, 2002 45 53 2=100
August, 1999 39 60 1=100
b. Do you own an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)? 21 77 2=100
August, 2002 22 78 *=100
c. Display the flag at your home, in your office, or on your car 69 29 2=100
August, 2002 75 25 *=100
d. Do you happen to have any guns or revolvers in your home? 34 63 3=100
August, 2002 35 62 3=100
April, 2000 35 62 3=100
June, 1997 40 57 3=100
December, 1993 45 53 2=100
e. Trade stocks or bonds in the stock markets 29 69 2=100
August, 2002 34 65 1=100
August, 1999 25 75 *=100
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE PRESS
2003 METHODOLOGY STUDY/JUNE NII
June 4 - 8, 2003
N=1000
Q.12 What's your impression - how many Muslims around the world are anti-American?
[READ, IN ORDER]
March
2002
7 Almost all 6
17 Most 12
25 About half 18
24 Some 24
15 Just a few 21
12 Don't know/Refused 19
100 100
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