Religion

Much
more
likely

A little
more
likely

Not make a
difference

A little
less
likely

Much
less
likely

No
opinion

Registered voters

National adults

How Important Is Religion in Your Own Life?

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
	%	%	%	%
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
	%	%	%	%
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

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

	Yes	No
	%	%
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
	%	%
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
	%	%	%	%	%	%
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

What is your religious preference -- Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, or an Orthodox religion such as the Greek or Russian Orthodox Church?

(Based on polls when entire religion battery asked; Gallup keeps separate yearly average based on all polls for that year)

	Protes- tant	Cath- olic	Jewish	Ortho- dox	Mormon	Other specific	None	Un- desig- nated

2008	48	23	2	1	2	12	11	1
2007	49	23	2	*	1	12	12	1
2006	49	24	2	*	2	11	11	1
2005	50	25	2	*	2	13	8	1
2004	50	24	2	1	2	10	9	2
2003	51	25	2	1	2	10	8	1
2002	53	25	2	1	2	8	7	2
2001 ^	53	25	2	1	2	7	8	2
2000	56	27	2	1	1	5	6	2
1999	55	28	2	1	2	3	7	1
1998	59	27	2	2	1	4	6	2
1997	58	26	2	1	1	4	6	2
1996	58	25	3	1	1	2	7	2
1995	56	27	2	1	1	5	6	2
1994	60	24	2	1	1	4	6	2
1993	57	26	1	2	1	5	6	2
1992	56	26	2	1	1	4	7	2

* Less than 0.5%
^ Based on aggregate of 10 polls conducted in 2001

What specific denomination is that?

ASKED OF PROTESTANTS; BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

	South- ern Baptist	Other Bap- tist	Meth- odist	Pres- byteri- an	Epis- copal	Luth- eran	Pente- costal	Church of Christ	Other	Non- denom.	No opin.
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
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
	%	%	%
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
	%	%	%	%
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	--	--	--	--

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
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 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
	%	%	%	%
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

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
	%	%	%	%	%
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

Next, we'd like to ask about your views on two different explanations for the origin and development of life on earth. Do you think -- [ITEMS ROTATED] -- is -- [ROTATED: definitely true, probably true, probably false, (or) definitely false]?

A. Evolution, that is, the idea that human beings developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life

	Definitely true	Probably true	Probably false	Definitely false	No opinion
2007 Jun 1-3	18%	35	16	28	3

B. Creationism, that is, the idea that God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years

	Definitely true	Probably true	Probably false	Definitely false	No opinion
2007 Jun 1-3	39%	27	16	15	3

How familiar would you say you are with each of the following explanations about the origin and development of life on earth -- very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar, or not at all familiar? How about -- [ITEMS ROTATED]?

A. Evolution

	Very familiar	Some- what familiar	Not too familiar	Not at all familiar	No opinion
2007 Jun 1-3	41%	41	12	5	1

B. Creationism

	Very familiar	Some- what familiar	Not too familiar	Not at all familiar	No opinion
2007 Jun 1-3	50%	36	9	4	1

If a presidential candidate stated that he or she DID not believe in the theory of evolution, would that make you -- [ROTATED: much more likely to vote for that candidate, a little more likely, not make a difference either way, would it make you a little less likely, (or) much less likely to vote for that candidate]?

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

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	*

^ 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	*

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]?