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Religion

Trend: How Important Is Religion in Your Own Life?

What is your religious preference -- Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, another religion, or no religion?

BASED ON YEARLY AGGREGATES OF GALLUP POLLS

Prot-
estant

Christ-
ian
(non-
specific)

Cath-
olic

Jewish

Mor-
mon

Other
specific

None

Un-
desig-
nated

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%
2011

42

10

23

2

2

5

13

3

2010

45

8

21

2

2

4

14

4

2009

45

9

22

2

1

5

13

3

2008

47

8

22

2

2

5

12

3

2007

51

5

23

3

2

4

11

2

2006

49

6

22

2

2

5

12

2

2005

49

7

23

2

2

5

10

2

2004

50

7

24

2

2

4

9

2

2003

49

7

24

2

2

4

10

2

2002

49

7

24

2

2

4

10

2

2001

53

4

25

2

2

4

8

2

2000

52

5

25

2

2

5

8

2

1999

52

2

27

1

2

6

8

2

1998

58

n/a

27

1

1

5

6

2

1997

53

n/a

26

2

1

7

9

2

1996

56

n/a

25

3

1

6

7

2

1995

56

n/a

27

2

1

5

6

2

1994

59

n/a

24

2

1

5

6

2

1993

56

n/a

26

2

1

7

6

2

1992

56

n/a

26

2

1

5

7

3

1991

56

n/a

25

2

1

5

9

2

1990

56

n/a

25

2

1

5

9

2

1989

57

n/a

25

2

1

6

7

2

1988

57

n/a

26

2

1

5

7

2

1987

57

n/a

28

2

2

1

9

*

1986

58

n/a

27

2

2

2

9

*

1985

57

n/a

28

2

2

3

8

1

1984

57

n/a

28

2

2

2

8

1

1983

55

n/a

29

2

1

4

8

1

1982

56

n/a

29

2

1

4

8

1

1981

59

n/a

28

2

n/a

4

7

1

1980

61

n/a

28

2

n/a

2

7

*

1979

58

n/a

29

2

1

2

7

1

1978

60

n/a

29

2

n/a

1

7

*

1977

61

n/a

27

2

n/a

2

7

1

1976

60

n/a

28

2

n/a

3

6

*

1975

60

n/a

27

2

n/a

4

6

1

1974

60

n/a

28

2

n/a

4

5

*

1973

60

n/a

27

2

n/a

4

5

1

1972

61

n/a

27

2

n/a

4

5

*

1971

63

n/a

26

3

n/a

4

4

*

1970

65

n/a

26

3

n/a

2

3

*

1969

64

n/a

27

3

n/a

2

4

*

1968

67

n/a

25

3

n/a

2

3

*

1967

67

n/a

25

3

n/a

3

2

*

1966

67

n/a

25

3

n/a

2

2

*

1965

69

n/a

24

3

n/a

2

2

*

1964

70

n/a

23

3

n/a

2

2

*

1963

69

n/a

24

3

n/a

2

2

*

1962

69

n/a

24

3

n/a

2

2

1

1961

70

n/a

23

2

n/a

2

2

1

1960

67

n/a

25

3

n/a

2

2

1

1959

68

n/a

24

3

n/a

2

2

*

1958

69

n/a

23

3

n/a

3

2

1

1957

70

n/a

24

3

n/a

1

1

1

1956

71

n/a

25

3

n/a

*

1

*

1955

70

n/a

22

4

n/a

2

2

1

1954

71

n/a

22

3

n/a

2

n/a

2

1953

70

n/a

23

4

n/a

2

1

1

1952

66

n/a

26

4

n/a

1

1

1

1951

68

n/a

24

4

n/a

2

1

1

1950

66

n/a

25

4

n/a

3

n/a

2

1949

69

n/a

22

4

n/a

3

n/a

2

1948

69

n/a

22

4

n/a

*

2

3

Prior question wording:
March 10, 2000-June 2005: What, if any, is your religious preference -- are you Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, or an Orthodox religion such as the Greek or Russian Orthodox Church?
1979-March 9, 2000: What is your religious preference -- is it Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, or an Orthodox religion such as the Greek or Russian Orthodox Church?
1977-1978: What is your religious preference -- Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish or Eastern Orthodox?
1948-1976: What is your religious preference -- is it Protestant, Roman Catholic or Jewish?

* Less than 0.5%

How important would you say religion is in your own life -- very important, fairly important, or not very important?

Very
important

Fairly
important

Not very
important

No
opinion

%

%

%

%
2011

55

26

19

1

2010

54

26

20

1

2009

56

25

19

1

2008

54

26

19

1

2007

56

26

17

1

2006

57

27

16

1

2005

59

25

16

*

2004

59

24

16

1

2003

61

24

15

*

2002

60

27

13

*

2001

58

28

14

*

2000

59

29

12

*

1999

59

29

11

1

1998

61

27

12

1

1997

60

27

12

1

1996

57

28

15

*

1995

58

29

12

1

1994

58

29

12

1

1993

59

29

12

*

1992

58

29

12

1

* Less than 0.5%

At the present time, do you think religion as a whole is increasing its influence on American life or losing its influence?

Increasing its
influence

Losing its
influence

SAME
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%
2011

26

71

1

2

2010

25

70

2

3

2009

25

70

2

3

2008

29

67

2

3

2007

33

62

2

3

2006

40

55

2

3

2005

47

48

2

2

2004

48

48

2

2

2003

39

56

2

3

2002

48

46

3

3

2001

55

39

3

3

2000

36

58

4

2

1999

36

58

3

3

1998

43

52

3

3

1997

36

58

3

3

1996

--

--

--

--

1995

37

57

3

3

1994

27

68

2

3

1993

27

62

6

5

1992

27

63

5

5

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Do you happen to be a member of a church or synagogue?

Yes

No

%

%
2011

59

41

2010

61

38

2009

63

36

2008

61

39

2007

61

39

2006

63

37

2005

64

36

2004

64

36

2003

65

35

2002

65

35

2001

66

34

2000

68

32

1999

70

30

1998

68

32

1997

67

33

1996

65

35

1995

69

31

1994

69

31

1993

69

31

1992

70

29

Did you, yourself, happen to attend church or synagogue in the last seven days, or not?

Yes

No

%

%
2011

37

63

2010

39

61

2009

42

58

2008

38

62

2007

41

59

2006

40

60

2005

43

57

2004

44

56

2003

41

59

2002

44

56

2001

41

59

2000

44

56

1999

43

57

1998

40

60

1997

40

60

1996

38

62

1995

43

57

1994

42

58

1993

40

60

1992

40

59

How often do you attend church or synagogue -- at least once a week, almost every week, about once a month, seldom, or never?

At least
once a
week

Almost
every
week

About
once a
month

Seldom

Never

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

%
2011

29

9

16

30

15

1

2010

30

12

13

28

16

1

2009

31

11

13

29

15

1

2008

30

12

15

27

16

1

2007

30

12

13

28

16

1

2006

31

12

15

28

14

1

2005

35

11

15

25

14

1

2004

34

10

15

27

14

*

2003

32

13

13

30

11

1

2002

32

13

15

29

10

1

2001

32

11

15

29

13

*

2000

35

11

14

29

10

1

1999

32

12

15

27

13

1

1998

32

13

17

28

10

1

1997

29

13

17

29

11

1

1996

29

12

15

32

11

1

1995

31

12

16

30

10

1

1994

32

13

16

28

10

1

1993

--

--

--

--

--

--

1992

34

10

14

27

14

1

* Less than 0.5%

What specific denomination is that?

ASKED OF PROTESTANTS; BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

South-
ern
Bap-
tist

Other
Bap-
tist

Meth-
odist

Pres-
byter-
ian

Epis-
copal

Luth-
eran

Pente-
costal

Church
of
Christ

Other

Non-
denom.

No
opin.

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%
2011

4

9

5

2

1

5

2

2

5

4

1

2010

4

13

7

3

2

5

2

1

4

5

2

2009

4

12

7

3

2

5

2

2

4

4

2

2008

4

12

7

3

2

4

2

2

6

5

1

2007

4

13

7

3

2

5

2

2

5

5

1

2006

4

13

7

3

2

5

2

1

6

5

1

2005

5

11

8

3

3

5

2

2

5

5

1

2004

6

10

8

3

2

5

2

2

6

3

3

2003

7

11

8

4

2

5

1

2

6

3

2

2002

7

10

10

4

2

5

2

2

5

4

2

2001

7

11

8

3

2

5

2

1

7

5

2

2000

8

10

9

5

3

7

2

2

4

4

2

1999

9

9

8

4

2

6

3

2

4

6

1

1998

8

11

9

3

2

5

4

3

7

4

3

1997

8

11

9

4

2

6

3

3

6

3

2

1996

8

10

9

4

2

6

3

2

8

4

2

1995

10

9

9

4

2

6

3

2

9

3

1

1994

10

10

10

4

2

7

3

2

8

4

4

1993

10

10

10

3

2

6

2

1

10

3

4

1992

9

10

10

5

2

7

1

--

11

1

5

Would you describe yourself as a "born-again" or evangelical Christian?

Yes

No

No
opinion

%

%

%
2011

42

53

5

2010

42

53

4

2008

40

55

6

2007

41

54

5

2006

43

52

5

2005

41

53

6

2004

41

54

5

2003

42

54

4

2002

46

49

5

2001

44

49

7

2000

45

49

6

1999

46

47

7

1998

47

46

7

1997

44

49

7

1996

39

54

7

1995

41

53

6

1994

36

59

5

1993

42

54

4

1992

36

59

5

Do you believe that religion can answer all or most of today's problems, or that religion is largely old-fashioned and out of date?

Can
answer

Old-fashioned

Other

No
opinion

%

%

%

%
2011

57

30

7

6

2010

58

27

9

6

2009

59

28

8

6

2008

57

27

10

6

2007

59

26

10

6

2006

60

25

10

5

2005

59

24

12

5

2004

59

24

10

7

2003

60

26

9

5

2002

62

22

10

6

2001

62

22

11

5

2000

65

19

12

4

1999

67

20

9

4

1998

65

20

--

15

1997

63

20

9

8

1996

--

--

--

--

1995

61

21

13

5

1994

62

21

10

7

1993

--

--

--

--

1992

--

--

--

--

Trend: Next, I’m going to read some aspects of life in America today. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied. How about the influence of organized religion?

Trend: Next, we’d like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied. If you don’t have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about the influence of organized religion?\n\n(Asked of those dissatisfied) Would you like to see organized religion have more influence in this nation, less influence, or keep its influence as it is now?

Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one -- a great deal, quite a lot, some, or very little? First, ... Next, [RANDOM ORDER]

The church or organized religion

Great
deal

Quite
a lot

Some

Very
little

None
(vol.)

No
opin-
ion

Great
deal/
Quite
a lot

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

25

23

29

20

2

1

48

2010 Jul 8-11

25

23

30

18

2

2

48

2009 Jun 14-17

29

23

29

14

3

2

52

2008 Jun 9-12

26

22

31

15

2

3

48

2007 Jun 11-14

24

22

30

21

2

2

46

2006 Jun 1-4

28

24

26

19

2

1

52

2005 May 23-26

31

22

28

16

2

1

53

2004 May 21-23

26

27

28

15

2

2

53

2003 Jun 9-10

27

23

30

17

2

1

50

2002 Jun 21-23

26

19

32

18

3

2

45

2001 Jun 8-10

32

28

24

13

2

1

60

2000 Jun 22-25

28

28

26

14

2

2

56

1999 Jun 25-27

32

26

28

12

1

1

58

1998 Jun 5-7

34

25

26

12

1

2

59

1997 Jul 25-27

35

21

28

12

2

2

56

1996 May 28-29

30

27

27

13

2

1

57

1995 Apr 21-24

32

25

28

11

2

2

57

1994 Mar 25-29

29

25

29

14

2

1

54

1993 Mar 22-24

29

24

29

14

3

1

53

1991 Oct 10-13

31

25

27

12

2

3

56

1991 Feb 28-Mar 3

33

26

26

12

1

2

59

1990 Aug 16-19

33

23

26

14

2

2

56

1989 Sep 7-10

30

22

26

17

3

3

52

1988 Sep 23-26

35

24

27

11

2

1

59

1987 Jul 10-13

35

26

28

10

1

1

61

1986 Jul 11-14

34

23

27

12

3

1

57

1985 May 17-20

42

24

21

11

1

1

66

1984 Oct 6-10

41

23

22

13

--

2

64

1983 Aug 5-8

39

23

26

9

1

2

62

1981 Nov 20-23

40

24

20

11

5

1

64

1979 Apr 6-9

40

25

21

11

1

2

65

1977 Jan 7-10

38

26

20

13

1

3

64

1975 May 30-Jun 2

44

24

20

9

1

2

68

1973 May 4-7

43

22

21

7

4

2

66
(vol.) = Volunteered response

Do you believe in God?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 May 5-8 ^

92

7

1

1967 Aug 24-29

98

1

*

1965 Nov

98

2

1

1954 Nov 11-16

98

1

1

1953 Mar 28-Apr 2

98

1

*

1947 Nov 7-12 †

94

3

2

1944 Nov 17-22 ‡

96

1

2

* Less than 0.5%

^ Asked of a half sample

† WORDING: Do you, personally, believe in God?

‡ WORDING: Do you, personally, believe in a God?

Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 May 5-8 ^

91

8

1

1994 Dec 16-18

96

3

1

1988 Dec 21-22 †

95

5

1

1983 ‡

95

3

2

1978 Nov 10-13

94

4

2

1976 Jun

94

3

2

^ Asked of a half sample

† Gallup/Newsweek poll

‡ Gallup/Associated Press: Religion in America 1983

Do you believe in heaven?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 May 5-8

85

14

1

1994 Dec 16-18 ^

90

9

2

1981 Jan-Dec †

84

11

5

1968 Jun 26-Jul 1 †

85

11

4

^ WORDING: Which, if either, of the following do you believe in -- [ROTATED: heaven/hell]?

† WORDING: Which of the following do you believe in -- [ASKED IN ROTATION WITH OTHER ITEMS]?

Do you believe in hell?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 May 5-8

75

22

3

1994 Dec 16-18 ^

73

24

3

1981 Jan-Dec †

67

26

7

1968 Jun 26-Jul 1 †

66

29

6

^ WORDING: Which, if either, of the following do you believe in -- [ROTATED: heaven/hell]?

† WORDING: Which of the following do you believe in -- [ASKED IN ROTATION WITH OTHER ITEMS]?

Which of the following statements comes closest to describing your views about the Bible -- the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word, the Bible is the inspired word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally, or the Bible is an ancient book of fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man]?

Actual

Inspired

Fables

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 May 5-8

30

49

17

3

2008 Dec 4-7

27

50

21

3

2008 May 8-11

30

46

22

3

2007 May 10-13

32

45

21

2

2006 May 8-11

28

49

19

3

2005 May 2-5

32

47

18

3

2004 Nov 7-10

34

48

15

3

2002 Dec 9-10

30

52

15

3

2001 Feb 19-21

27

49

20

4

1998 Jun 22-23

33

47

17

3

1993 Jun 18-21

35

48

14

3

1991 Nov 21-23

32

49

16

3

1984 Nov

40

41

12

7

1984 Sep

37

46

12

5

1983 May

37

43

11

9

1981 Dec 11-14

37

42

11

--

1980 Jul 29-Aug 2

40

45

10

6

1978 Apr 18-May 1

38

45

13

6

1976 Aug 24-27

38

45

13

5

Next, I'm going to read some aspects of life in America today. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied. How about -- ?

The influence of organized religion

Very
satisfied

Somewhat
satisfied

Somewhat
dissatisfied

Very
dissatisfied

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Jan 7-9

17

41

20

16

6

2008 Jan 4-6

16

40

22

17

5

2007 Jan 15-18

22

34

23

16

5

2006 Jan 9-12

19

36

23

18

5

2005 Jan 3-5

16

39

24

18

3

2004 Jan 12-15

17

41

24

14

4

2003 Jan 13-16

17

42

25

12

4

2002 Jan 7-9

18

51

19

9

3

2001 Jan 10-14

17

47

21

11

4

Would you like to see organized religion have more influence in this nation, less influence, or keep its influence as it is now?

More influence

Less influence

Keep
influence
as it is now

Other
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Jan 7-9

29

29

39

*

2

2008 Jan 4-6

24

34

40

*

2

2007 Jan 15-18

27

32

39

*

2

2006 Jan 9-12

30

33

36

*

2

2005 Jan 3-5

26

33

39

1

1

2004 Jan 12-15

31

27

41

--

1

2003 Jan 13-16

29

25

45

*

1

2002 Jan 7-9

29

22

47

*

2

2001 Jan 10-14

30

22

45

1

2

* Less than 0.5%
(vol.) = Volunteered response

COMBINED RESPONSES: SATISFACTION WITH INFLUENCE OF RELIGION

Total
satisfied

Dissatisfied,
want more

Dissatisfied,
want less

Dissatisfied,
keep as now

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Jan 7-9

58

8

22

6

6

2008 Jan 4-6

56

6

24

8

5

2007 Jan 15-18

56

6

23

10

5

2006 Jan 9-12

55

7

24

8

5

2005 Jan 3-5

55

9

25

8

3

2004 Jan 12-15

58

12

19

7

4

2003 Jan 13-16

59

9

18

10

4

2002 Jan 7-9

69

8

14

6

3

2001 Jan 10-14

64

10

12

10

4

Which of the following statements comes closest to your belief about God -- you believe in God, you don't believe in God, but you do believe in a universal spirit or higher power, or you don't believe in either?

Believe
in God

Believe in
universal spirit

Don't
believe in
either

Other
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2010 May 3-6

80

12

6

1

1

2008 May 8-11

78

15

6

*

1

2007 May 10-13 ^

78

14

7

*

1

2004 May 2-4 ^

81

13

5

*

1

1999 Dec 9-12

86

8

5

1

*

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

^ Asked of a half sample

Which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: a presidential candidate's views on evolution are a legitimate indicator of whether he or she is qualified to be president, (or) a presidential candidate's views on evolution are not really relevant and therefore should not be discussed as part of the campaign]?

Legitimate
indicator

Not really
relevant

No
opinion

2007 Jun 1-3

25%

70

5

For each of the following items I am going to read you, please tell me whether it is something you believe in, something you're not sure about, or something you don't believe in. First, ... Next, ... [RANDOM ORDER]?

ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE

A. God

Believe
in

Not sure
about

Don't
believe in

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2007 May 10-13

86

8

6

*

2004 May 2-4

90

5

4

1

2001 May 10-14

90

7

2

1

* Less than 0.5%

B. The devil

Believe
in

Not sure
about

Don't
believe in

No
opinion

2007 May 10-13

70

8

21

1

2004 May 2-4

70

10

19

1

2001 May 10-14

68

12

20

*

1996 Sep 3-5

56

8

35

1

1994 Dec 16-18

65

9

26

--

1991 Oct 24-27

52

9

39

--

1990 Jun 14-17

55

8

37

--

C. Angels

Believe
in

Not sure
about

Don't
believe in

No
opinion

2007 May 10-13

75

11

14

*

2004 May 2-4

78

11

10

1

2001 May 10-14

79

12

8

1

1996 Sep 3-5

72

11

16

1

1994 Dec 16-18

72

13

15

--

D. Heaven

Believe
in

Not sure
about

Don't
believe in

No
opinion

2007 May 10-13

81

8

11

*

2004 May 2-4

81

10

8

1

2001 May 10-14

83

10

7

*

1997 May ^

72

20

8

*

* Less than 0.5%

^ Gallup/Nathan Cummings Foundation and Fetzer Institute Poll

E. Hell

Believe
in

Not sure
about

Don't
believe in

No
opinion

2007 May 10-13

69

8

22

1

2004 May 2-4

70

12

17

1

2001 May 10-14

71

13

15

1

1997 May ^

56

22

20

2

^ Gallup/Nathan Cummings Foundation and Fetzer Institute Poll

Which of the following best describes you -- [ROTATED: you have always had the same religious preference, you have switched from one religious preference to another, or you have moved away from any religion whatsoever]?

Always
the same
religious
preference

Switched
from one
religious
preference
to another

Moved away
from any
religion
whatsoever

No
opinion

2006 Jun 9-11

72%

15

10

3

Here are some of the reasons why people change their religious preference or leave religion altogether. For each, please say if it is a major reason why (you have switched from one religious preference to another/you have moved away from religion altogether), a minor reason, or not a reason at all. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

ASKED OF ADULTS WHO HAVE SWITCHED THEIR RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE OR WHO HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM RELIGION ALTOGETHER


2006 Jun 9-11
(sorted by "major reason")

Major
reason

Minor
reason

Not a
reason
at all

Doesn't
apply
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

You disagreed with the teachings of your original religion

40

24

34

2

1

You found a new religion that is more fulfilling

38

14

46

1

1

You grew dissatisfied with your local church and as a result changed religions

26

18

52

4

1

You disliked the fact that the leaders were struggling with each other to control the direction of your religion

25

18

54

2

1

You married someone from another religion

12

10

74

3

--

You moved and could not find a church of your religion that you liked

9

14

75

2

*

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

How do you personally feel about the Catholic religion -- very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable?

Very
favorable

Mostly
favorable

Mostly
unfavorable

Very
unfavorable

No
opinion

2006 May 5-7

14%

43

19

11

14

2002 Apr 22-24

14%

38

25

14

9

2000 Mar 17-19 ^

18%

46

19

8

9

^ Asked of a half sample

What are some of the reasons why you say you have an unfavorable opinion of the Catholic religion? [OPEN-ENDED]

ASKED OF ADULTS WHO HAVE AN UNFAVORABLE OPINION OF THE CATHOLIC RELIGION

2006 May 5-7

%

Do not agree with their views/practices/doctrine

26

Sexual scandal/cover-ups/child molestation

19

Partial to/belong to another religion

8

Idolization of saints/Virgin Mary

8

Is an organized religion

6

Hypocrisy

5

Dislike all religions

4

Views on abortion

4

Poor past history with the Catholic Church

4

Dislike their views on birth control

4

Not letting women be priests/sexist

4

Cult-like religion

2

Confessions/communion issues

2

Issues on homosexuality

1

Greed of money in the church

1

Celibacy of priesthood/no marriage

1

Other

14

None

6

No opinion

4

Percentages add to more than 100% due to multiple responses.

Have you, personally, ever seen a movie that had a profound effect, either positive or negative, on your religious beliefs or practices, or not?

Yes,
have

No,
have not

Not religious
(vol.)

No
opinion

2006 May 5-7

26%

72

*

1

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

How did the movie affect your religious beliefs? Did it -- [ROTATED: strengthen your religious beliefs, (or did it) cause you to question your religious beliefs]?

ASKED OF ADULTS WHO HAVE SEEN A MOVIE THAT AFFECTED THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Strengthen
religious beliefs

Question
religious beliefs

No
opinion

2006 May 5-7

81%

14

5

COMBINED RESPONSES

2006 May 5-7

%

Have seen a movie that affected religious beliefs

26

(Strengthened beliefs)

(21)

(Questioned beliefs)

(4)

(Unsure)

(1)

Not seen a movie that affected religious beliefs/Not religious (vol.)

72

No opinion

1

(vol.) = Volunteered response

As you may know, books and movies that raise doubts about Jesus and the Bible such as The Da Vinci Code are getting a lot of attention from the public. For each of the following, please say whether you think it is a major reason why these books and movies are getting so much attention, a minor reason, or not a reason at all. How about -- [ITEMS ROTATED]?

A. Many people enjoy a conspiracy

Major reason

Minor reason

Not a
reason

No
opinion

2006 May 5-7

51%

28

14

8

B. People see them as entertainment, not as serious commentary on religion

Major reason

Minor reason

Not a
reason

No
opinion

2006 May 5-7

38%

38

18

6

Which of the following comes closer to your view about books or movies that raise doubts about Jesus Christ or the Bible -- [ROTATED: they are a reflection of the human nature of some people to be skeptical about religion, (or) they are the work of the devil trying to destroy people's religious beliefs, whether the authors are aware of it or not]?

Human nature
to be skeptical
about religion

Work of the
devil to destroy
people's
religious beliefs

No
opinion

2006 May 5-7

72%

19

9
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