Religion

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

	Protestant	Christian (nonspecific)	Catholic	Jewish	Mormon	Other	None	No answer
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
2019	35	10	22	2	1	6	21	3
2018	35	10	22	2	2	5	20	4
2017	38	9	21	2	2	5	20	4
2016	38	10	22	3	2	5	18	2
2015	38	9	23	2	2	6	17	4
2014	37	10	23	2	2	6	16	4
2013	38	10	24	2	2	5	15	4
2012	41	10	23	2	2	4	14	3
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
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

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
	%	%	%	%
2019	49	26	25	*
2018	50	23	26	1
2017	51	23	25	1
2016	53	22	25	1
2015	52	26	22	1
2014	53	27	19	*
2013	56	22	22	1
2012	58	23	19	1
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
Based on yearly aggregates; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

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
	%	%	%	%
2019	19	79	1	1
2018	21	76	1	2
2017	24	73	1	1
2016	22	75	1	2
2015	20	76	1	2
2014	24	73	1	2
2013	21	76	1	2
2012	24	72	2	3
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	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
1995	37	57	3	3
1994	27	68	2	3
1993	27	62	6	5
1992	27	63	5	5
Based on yearly aggregates; (vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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

	Yes	No
	%	%
2019	51	49
2018	50	50
2017	54	46
2016	55	44
2015	54	46
2014	57	42
2013	59	41
2012	59	41
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
Based on yearly aggregates
Gallup

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

	Yes	No
	%	%
2019	34	66
2018	32	68
2017	35	65
2016	36	64
2015	36	64
2014	36	63
2013	39	61
2012	40	60
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
Based on yearly aggregates
Gallup

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

	Every week	Almost every week	About once a month	Seldom	Never	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2019	23	10	12	24	29	3
2018	22	10	11	25	28	3
2017	24	13	14	27	22	1
2016	26	12	13	28	20	1
2015	25	10	12	26	24	3
2014	27	10	12	24	23	4
2013	28	11	15	26	19	1
2012	30	10	13	24	20	2
2011	28	10	13	26	20	3
2010	29	10	12	25	20	4
2009	30	10	12	26	20	2
2008	29	11	12	27	19	2
2007	30	11	12	27	18	2
2006	30	11	13	26	18	2
2005	32	11	13	27	17	2
2004	31	11	13	28	16	1
2003	30	11	14	27	17	1
2002	32	11	14	27	15	1
2001	32	10	13	28	15	1
2000	32	14	13	27	13	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	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
1992	34	10	14	27	14	1
2000-2018 based on yearly aggregates; 1992-1999 based on two polls in which full religion module was asked; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

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

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019	37	60	2
2018	36	59	5
2017	42	54	4
2016	41	53	6
2015	38	56	6
2014	44	50	6
2013	41	53	6
2012	41	54	5
2011	42	53	5
2010	42	53	4
2009	n/a	n/a	n/a
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
Based on yearly aggregates
Gallup

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?

	Yes, can answer	No, largely out of date	Other (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2019	53	37	7	3
2018	49	38	8	6
2017	55	34	6	5
2016	54	33	6	7
2015	52	33	9	6
2014	57	30	6	7
2013	56	30	9	5
2012	55	31	8	7
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	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
1995	61	21	13	5
1994	62	21	10	7
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Based on yearly aggregates; (vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

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? The church or organized religion

	Great deal	Quite a lot	Some	Very little	None (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2020	25	17	31	23	3	1
2019	21	15	36	25	4	*
2018	20	18	33	24	3	2
2017	23	18	29	25	3	2
2016	20	21	31	24	3	1
2015	25	17	32	20	3	2
2014	25	20	29	20	4	2
2013	25	23	32	17	2	2
2012	25	19	29	22	4	1
2011	25	23	29	20	2	1
2010	25	23	30	18	2	2
2009	29	23	29	14	3	2
2008	26	22	31	15	2	3
2007	24	22	30	21	2	2
2006	28	24	26	19	2	1
2005	31	22	28	16	2	1
2004	26	27	28	15	2	2
2003	27	23	30	17	2	1
2002	26	19	32	18	3	2
2001	32	28	24	13	2	1
2000	28	28	26	14	2	2
1999	32	26	28	12	1	1
1998	34	25	26	12	1	2
1997	35	21	28	12	2	2
1996	30	27	27	13	2	1
1995	32	25	28	11	2	2
1994	29	25	29	14	2	1
1993	29	24	29	14	3	1
1991 Oct	31	25	27	12	2	3
1991 Feb	33	26	26	12	1	2
1990	33	23	26	14	2	2
1989	30	22	26	17	3	3
1988	35	24	27	11	2	1
1987	35	26	28	10	1	1
1986	34	23	27	12	3	1
1985	42	24	21	11	1	1
1984	41	23	22	13	--	2
1983	39	23	26	9	1	2
1981	40	24	20	11	5	1
1979	40	25	21	11	1	2
1977	38	26	20	13	1	3
1975	44	24	20	9	1	2
1973	43	22	21	7	4	2
(vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

How often do you pray to God outside of religious services? Would you say often, sometimes, hardly ever, only in times of crisis or never?

	2020 Apr 14-28	1990 May 1-Jun 30
	%	%
Often	58	49
Sometimes	17	28
Hardly ever	6	9
Only in times of crisis	3	4
Never	14	10
No opinion	1	1
Gallup

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?

	Very satisfied	Somewhat satisfied	Somewhat dissatisfied	Very dissatisfied	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2020	19	40	20	18	2
2019	15	38	23	19	4
2018	13	39	24	19	4
2017	16	40	20	18	6
2016	13	40	23	18	6
2015	13	40	23	16	7
2014	14	40	24	16	7
2013	14	39	23	18	5
2012	18	38	21	17	6
2011	17	41	20	16	6
2008	16	40	22	17	5
2007	22	34	23	16	5
2006	19	36	23	18	5
2005	16	39	24	18	3
2004	17	41	24	14	4
2003	17	42	25	12	4
2002	18	51	19	9	3
2001	17	47	21	11	4
Gallup

(Asked of those dissatisfied with influence of organized religion) Would you like to see organized religion have more influence in this nation, less influence or keep its influence as it is now?

Combined responses: Satisfaction with influence of organized religion + follow-up of those dissatisfied

	Total satisfied	Dissatisfied, want more	Dissatisfied, want less	Dissatisfied, remain same	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2020	59	5	27	6	2
2018	52	5	28	10	4
2017	56	7	23	8	6
2016	53	11	20	10	7
2015	53	8	22	9	7
2014	54	10	21	9	7
2013	53	12	20	9	5
2012	56	8	22	8	6
2011	58	8	22	6	6
2008	56	6	24	8	5
2007	56	6	23	10	5
2006	55	7	24	8	5
2005	55	9	25	8	3
2004	58	12	19	7	4
2003	59	9	18	10	4
2002	69	8	14	6	3
2001	64	10	12	10	4
Gallup

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 word	Inspired word	Fables, legends	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2017 May 3-7	24	47	26	2
2014 May 8-11 ^	28	47	21	4
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 Dec 6-9	28	51	18	4
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
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Do you believe in God?

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2017 May 3-7 ^	87	12	1
2016 Jun 14-23 ^	89	10	1
2014 May 8-11 ^	86	11	3
2013 May 2-7 ^	87	11	2
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
^Asked of a half sample; #WORDING: Do you, personally, believe in God?; @WORDING: Do you, personally, believe in a God?
Gallup

Which comes closest to describing you -- [ROTATED: you are convinced that God exists, you think God probably exists, but you have a little doubt, you think God probably exists, but you have a lot of doubt, you think God probably does not exist, but you are not sure, (or) you are convinced that God does not exist]?

	Convinced God exists	Probably exists, have a little doubt	Probably exists, have a lot of doubt	Probably does not exist, but not sure	Convinced God does not exist	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2017 May 3-7 ^	64	16	5	6	7	2
2010 Aug 5-8	72	12	4	5	4	3
2006 May 8-11	73	14	5	4	3	2
2005 Nov 17-20	78	12	4	4	1	1
2005 Oct 24-26	80	8	3	4	3	2
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

When you were growing up, how often do you attend church, synagogue or mosque -- every week, almost every week, about once a month, seldom or never?

	Every week	Almost every week	About once a month	Seldom	Never	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2017 Mar 9-29	51	18	8	13	8	1
Gallup

Is each of the following a major factor, a minor factor or not a factor in why you attend church or a place of worship? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Based on adults who attend church monthly or more often

	Major factor	Minor factor	Not a factor	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Sermons or talks that teach you more about scripture	76	16	8	*
Sermons or lectures that help you connect religion to your own life	75	16	8	1
Spiritual programs geared toward children and teenagers	64	21	15	1
Lots of community outreach and volunteer opportunities	59	27	13	1
Dynamic religious leaders who are interesting and inspiring	54	28	17	1
Social activities that allow you to get to know people in your community	49	36	14	*
A good choir, praise band, cantors or other spiritual music	38	36	25	1
2017 March 9-29; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Please say whether each of the following is a major reason, a minor reason or not a reason why you [seldom / never] attend church or a place of worship. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Based on adults who seldom or never attend church but attended monthly or more often while growing up

	Major reason	Minor reason	Not a reason	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
You prefer to worship on your own	44	21	34	*
You don't like organized religion	36	25	37	1
You aren't very religious	33	32	33	2
You haven't found a church or other place of worship that you like	22	24	53	1
You don't have the time	19	28	52	1
You aren't sure what religion is right for you	17	23	59	1
You don't like being asked for money when you attend	16	29	55	*
Poor health or other problems prevent you from going	10	19	71	*
You don't feel welcome when you do attend	9	25	65	1
2017 March 9-29; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2016 Jun 14-23 ^	89	9	2
2014 May 8-11 ^	86	12	2
2013 May 2-7 ^	90	9	1
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

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]?

	Believe in	Not sure about	Don't believe in	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
God
2016 May 4-8	79	10	11	1
2007 May 10-13 ^	86	8	6	*
2004 May 2-4 ^	90	5	4	1
2001 May 10-14	90	7	2	1
The devil
2016 May 4-8	61	12	27	*
2007 May 10-13 ^	70	8	21	1
2004 May 2-4 ^	70	10	19	1
2001 May 10-14	68	12	20	*
Angels
2016 May 4-8	72	12	16	*
2007 May 10-13 ^	75	11	14	*
2004 May 2-4 ^	78	11	10	1
2001 May 10-14	79	12	8	1
Heaven
2016 May 4-8	71	14	15	*
2007 May 10-13 ^	81	8	11	*
2004 May 2-4 ^	81	10	8	1
2001 May 10-14	83	10	7	*
Hell
2016 May 4-8	64	13	22	1
2007 May 10-13 ^	69	8	22	1
2004 May 2-4 ^	70	12	17	1
2001 May 10-14	71	13	15	1
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

If more Americans were religious, would that be positive or negative for American society?

	Positive	Negative	Neither (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2013 May 2-7	75	17	4	4
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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
^"Which, if either, of the following do you believe in -- [ROTATED: heaven/hell]?; #Asked in rotation with other items
Gallup

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
^"Which, if either, of the following do you believe in -- [ROTATED: heaven/hell]?; #Asked in rotation with other items
Gallup

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?

	God	Universal spirit	Neither	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	*
^Asked of a half sample; (vol.)=volunteered response; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

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
Gallup

Religion

Related Topics Include:

What Happiness Today Tells Us About the World Tomorrow

Recommended

Religious Identity and the 2020 Presidential Election

Amid Pandemic, Confidence in Key U.S. Institutions Surges

Americans' Take on the U.S. Is Improved, but Still Mixed

Religion and the COVID-19 Virus in the U.S.