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Religious reportTRANSCRIPT
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Survey of US VotersOpinions on Religious Freedom
Report-July 22, 2015
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 2
Methodology
Online survey of US Voters
Survey was conducted June 29-July 6, 2015
800 respondents, overall margin of error of +3.46 percentage points
Please note that due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to exactly 100%.
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Attitudes Toward Religious Freedom
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 4
Religious Freedom AttitudesMost voters want the government to stay out of religion, and most also believe there is a
common sense solution to protect both religious freedoms and gay rights.
Q31-33. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you agree or disagree.
35%
5%
3%
36%
13%
8%
10%
14%
10%
9%
16%
19%
10%
51%
60%
I believe there can be a common sensesolution that both protects religious freedom
and protects gay and lesbian couples fromdiscimination
Federal and state governments should beable to require by law a private citizen toprovide a service or provide their private
property for an event that is contrary to theirreligious beliefs
It should be up to the federal government todetermine what constitutes legitimate
religious beliefs
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Don'tknow
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Total Agree
Total Disagree
71% 20%
18% 68%
11% 79%
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 5
Religious Freedom Segmentation
Segmentation combining responses to religious freedom questions
10% 45% 3% 42%
Left Center Other Right
Nearly half of voters fall in the center on the religious freedom vs civil rights debate: they agree that a common sense solution can protect both religious rights and the rights of same sex couples, and they think it is important to protect both religious freedoms and
the rights of gays and lesbians.
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Religious Freedom Attitudes by Subgroup
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 7
Common Sense Solution by Party
71%
71%
77%
60%
10%
14%
7%
10%
20%
15%
16%
30%
Overall
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
I believe there can be a common sense solution that both protects religious freedom and protects gay and lesbian couples from discrimination.
Democrats and Independents are more likely to believe there is a common sense solution than Republicans.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 8
Common Sense Solution by Segmentation
71%
61%
100%
45%
10%
14%
15%
20%
25%
40%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
I believe there can be a common sense solution that both protects religious freedom and protects gay and lesbian couples from discrimination.
The common sense attitude was used to define the center group. Many of those on the left and right of the debate also feel a common sense solution is realistic.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 9
Common Sense Solution by Religious Affiliation
71%
60%
75%
75%
70%
82%
10%
9%
8%
10%
14%
6%
20%
32%
17%
15%
16%
12%
Overall
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other religion (9%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
I believe there can be a common sense solution that both protects religious freedom and protects gay and lesbian couples from discrimination.
Evangelicals are the least likely to believe in a common sense solution.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 10
Common Sense Solution by Church Attendance
71%
66%
74%
72%
10%
10%
8%
11%
20%
24%
18%
17%
Overall
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
I believe there can be a common sense solution that both protects religious freedom and protects gay and lesbian couples from discrimination.
Regular churchgoers are less likely to believe in a common sense solution.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 11
Federal Role by Party
11%
16%
7%
9%
10%
18%
6%
6%
79%
66%
88%
85%
Overall
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
It should be up to the federal government to determine what constitutes legitimate religious beliefs.
Nearly nine in ten Independent and Republican voters dont think it should be up to the federal government to define religious beliefs.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 12
Federal Role by Segmentation
11%
17%
12%
8%
10%
15%
4%
11%
79%
68%
84%
81%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
It should be up to the federal government to determine what constitutes legitimate religious beliefs.
Across attitudinal groups, voters disagree that government should interfere in religion.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 13
Federal Role by Religious Affiliation
11%
13%
9%
7%
14%
11%
10%
4%
15%
7%
15%
10%
79%
83%
76%
86%
71%
79%
Overall
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other religion (9%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
It should be up to the federal government to determine what constitutes legitimate religious beliefs.
Disagreement is high across all religious denominations.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 14
Federal Role by Church Attendance
11%
10%
9%
12%
10%
6%
8%
15%
79%
84%
83%
73%
Overall
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
It should be up to the federal government to determine what constitutes legitimate religious beliefs.
Even those who do not attend church oppose government interference in religion.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 15
Providing Services by Party
18%
27%
14%
14%
14%
21%
12%
7%
68%
52%
73%
79%
Overall
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
Federal and state governments should be able to require by law a private citizen to provide a service or provide their private property for an event that is contrary to their religious beliefs.
More than seven in ten Republicans and Independents believe government should not be able to require a citizen to provide services for an event contrary to their beliefs.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 16
Providing Services by Segmentation
18%
35%
19%
14%
14%
21%
8%
13%
68%
44%
73%
73%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
Federal and state governments should be able to require by law a private citizen to provide a service or provide their private property for an event that is contrary to their religious beliefs.
Even on the left of the debate, few believe government should mandate services.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 17
Providing Services by Religious Affiliation
18%
17%
14%
23%
17%
23%
14%
5%
17%
14%
21%
15%
68%
78%
69%
63%
62%
62%
Overall
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other religion (9%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
Federal and state governments should be able to require by law a private citizen to provide a service or provide their private property for an event that is contrary to their religious beliefs.
Unaffiliated voters feel government should not be able to compel services.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 18
Providing Services by Church Attendance
18%
17%
21%
18%
14%
9%
11%
19%
68%
74%
69%
63%
Overall
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Agree Don't know Disagree
Federal and state governments should be able to require by law a private citizen to provide a service or provide their private property for an event that is contrary to their religious beliefs.
Non-churchgoers also feel the government should not be able to require citizens to provide services.
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Religious Freedom vs Rights of Gays and Lesbians
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 20
Wedding Photographer Refusal by PartyMore than 80% of voters believe a photographer should have the right to decline services
based on religious beliefs.
82%
72%
83%
93%
8%
11%
7%
5%
10%
17%
10%
2%
Overall
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Yes Don't know No
Suppose a Christian wedding photographer has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage. If a same-sex couple wanted to hire that photographer for their wedding ceremony,
should the photographer have the right to say no?
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 21
Wedding Photographer Refusal by SegmentationThe vast majority of the middle group think a photographer should be allowed to refuse.
82%
40%
84%
97%
8%
10%
6%
2%
10%
50%
11%
1%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Yes Don't know No
Suppose a Christian wedding photographer has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage. If a same-sex couple wanted to hire that photographer for their wedding ceremony,
should the photographer have the right to say no?
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 22
Wedding Photographer Refusal by AffiliationEven unaffiliated voters think a photographer should be able to refuse.
82%
94%
79%
81%
74%
81%
8%
4%
11%
6%
9%
14%
10%
3%
10%
13%
18%
5%
Overall
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other Religion (9%)
Yes Don't know No
Suppose a Christian wedding photographer has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage. If a same-sex couple wanted to hire that photographer for their wedding ceremony,
should the photographer have the right to say no?
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 23
Wedding Photographer Refusal by Church Attendance
Non-churchgoers also believe a photographer should be able to refuse.
82%
88%
80%
79%
8%
6%
8%
8%
10%
6%
11%
13%
Overall
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Yes Don't know No
Suppose a Christian wedding photographer has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage. If a same-sex couple wanted to hire that photographer for their wedding ceremony,
should the photographer have the right to say no?
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 24
Protecting Liberties Forced Choice
Q37. Which issue do you think is more important? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
31%
8%
53%
3%
5%
Protecting religious liberties
Protecting the rights of gaysand lesbians
Both are important
Neither are important
Don't know
Most voters think both protecting religious liberties and protecting the rights of gays and lesbians are important.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 25
Forced Choice by Party
Q37. Which issue do you think is more important? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
31%
22%
23%
54%
53%
55%
61%
39%
3%
2%
5%
2%
5%
7%
3%
5%
8%
14%
8%
Overall
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Protectingreligious liberties
Both areimportant
Neither areimportant
Don'tknow
Protecting the rightsof gays and lesbians
Most Republicans think protecting religious liberties is more important.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 26
Forced Choice by Segmentation
Q37. Which issue do you think is more important? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
31%
74%
53%
16%
100%
14%
3%
2%
6%
5%
1%
6%
8%
81%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Protectingreligious liberties
Both areimportant
Neither areimportant
Don'tknow
Protecting the rightsof gays and lesbians
The forced choice question was used to define the center group.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 27
Forced Choice by Religious Affiliation
Q37. Which issue do you think is more important? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
31%
61%
25%
29%
12%
14%
53%
34%
61%
58%
56%
68%
3%
1%
4%
4%
6%
0%
5%
2%
7%
3%
8%
4%
8%
2%
3%
6%
18%
14%
Overall
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other Religion (9%)
Protectingreligious liberties
Both areimportant
Neither areimportant
Don'tknow
Protecting the rightsof gays and lesbians
More than six in ten Evangelicals think protecting religious liberties is more important.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 28
Forced Choice by Church Attendance
Q37. Which issue do you think is more important? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
31%
48%
32%
18%
53%
45%
57%
57%
3%
3%
1%
5%
5%
2%
5%
6%
8%
2%
5%
14%
Overall
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Protectingreligious liberties
Both areimportant
Neither areimportant
Don'tknow
Protecting the rightsof gays and lesbians
Nearly half of regular churchgoers prioritize the protection of religious liberties.
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Segmentation Detail:Religious Freedom Attitudes
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 30
Religious Freedom Segmentation
Segmentation combining responses to religious freedom questions
10% 45% 3% 42%
Left Center Other Right
Nearly half of voters fall in the center on the religious freedom vs civil rights debate: they agree that a common sense solution can protect both religious rights and the rights of same sex couples, and they think it is important to protect both religious freedoms and
the rights of gays and lesbians.
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 31
Religious Freedom SegmentationVoters who fall in the center are more likely to be Democrat or Independent, be a college
graduate, not attend church regularly, and not live in the South.
Demographic Overall Center
Men
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 32
Religious Affiliation by Segmentation
25%
4%
17%
40%
19%
10%
23%
15%
23%
19%
24%
25%
24%
54%
24%
16%
9%
13%
11%
5%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Born Again/Evangelical
OtherProtestants
Catholic No Preference/Ref OtherReligion
Voters in the center group are slightly less likely to be evangelical, and otherwise close to average on religious affiliation.
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 33
Church Attendance by Segmentation
30%
11%
26%
40%
27%
17%
29%
27%
43%
72%
45%
33%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Regularly attend church Attend, not regularly Do not attend/Ref
Voters in the center group are also average on church attendance.
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 34
Spirituality by Segmentation
30%
12%
29%
36%
49%
42%
51%
50%
19%
44%
18%
13%
2%
2%
2%
2%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Very spiritual Somewhat spiritual Not spiritual Refused
Voters on the left of the debate are less likely to consider themselves spiritual.
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 35
Belief in God by Segmentation
82%
52%
82%
90%
7%
27%
6%
3%
8%
14%
9%
5%
3%
7%
2%
2%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Believe in God Do not believe in God Don't know Refused
Most in the center believe in God.
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 36
Party by Segmentation
34%
62%
32%
31%
39%
36%
48%
14%
27%
3%
20%
55%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Democrat Independent Republican
Voters in the center group are more Independent and less Republican than average.
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15-5689 July 14 DRAFT Report on Religious Issues| 37
Ideology by Segmentation
24%
64%
30%
10%
25%
16%
28%
20%
51%
20%
43%
70%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Liberal Moderate Conservative
Voters in the center group are slightly less conservative than average.
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Role of Military Chaplains
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 39
Role of Military Chaplains
6%
13%
12%
53%
17%
Yes, to a great extent
Yes, to some extent
Yes, to a minor extent
No, never
Don't know
Half of voters think the military should not be able to restrict military chaplains.
Recently there has been controversy over the role of chaplains in the US military. Do you think the military should be able to restrict the private conversations, counselling, prayer and teaching
of military chaplains?
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 40
Role of Military Chaplains by Party
Q36. Recently there has been controversy over the role of chaplains in the US military. Do you think the military should be able to restrict the private conversations, counselling, prayer and teaching of military chaplains?
6%
8%
4%
6%
13%
19%
10%
10%
12%
11%
15%
9%
17%
19%
17%
12%
53%
43%
55%
62%
Overall
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Yes, to agreat extent
Yes, tosome extent
Yes, to aminor extent
Don'tknow
No,never
More than six in ten Republicans do not think the military should be able to restrict military chaplains.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 41
Role of Military Chaplains by Segmentation
Q36. Recently there has been controversy over the role of chaplains in the US military. Do you think the military should be able to restrict the private conversations, counselling, prayer and teaching of military chaplains?
6%
10%
5%
6%
13%
22%
14%
10%
12%
19%
14%
7%
17%
20%
12%
15%
53%
29%
54%
61%
Overall
Left (10%)
Center (45%)
Right (42%)
Yes, to agreat extent
Yes, tosome extent
Yes, to aminor extent
Don'tknow
No,never
Most in the center group feel the military should not interfere with chaplains.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 42
Role of Military Chaplains by Affiliation
Q36. Recently there has been controversy over the role of chaplains in the US military. Do you think the military should be able to restrict the private conversations, counselling, prayer and teaching of military chaplains?
6%
4%
4%
6%
8%
6%
13%
12%
9%
11%
18%
14%
12%
6%
16%
11%
13%
18%
17%
9%
14%
14%
27%
21%
53%
68%
57%
57%
34%
42%
Overall
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other Religion (9%)
Yes, to agreat extent
Yes, tosome extent
Yes, to aminor extent
Don'tknow
No,never
Some non-Christians and unaffiliated voters think the military should be able to restrict the counseling of military chaplains.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 43
Role of Military Chaplains by Church Attendance
Q36. Recently there has been controversy over the role of chaplains in the US military. Do you think the military should be able to restrict the private conversations, counselling, prayer and teaching of military chaplains?
6%
5%
6%
6%
13%
7%
16%
15%
12%
12%
12%
11%
17%
9%
12%
25%
53%
65%
54%
44%
Overall
Attend church regularly(30%)
Attend, not regularly(27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Yes, to agreat extent
Yes, tosome extent
Yes, to aminor extent
Don'tknow
No,never
Few non-churchgoers support restrictions on military chaplains.
-
Values and the Presidential Race
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 45
Characteristics of a presidential candidate
Q34. What is more important to you in choosing a presidential candidate? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
7%
10%
79%
1%
3%
Character and moral values
Positions on key issues
Both are important
Neither are important
Don't know
Nearly eight in ten voters think both character and moral values and positions on key issues are important.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 46
Candidate characteristics by Subgroup
Q34. What is more important to you in choosing a presidential candidate? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
7%
8%
5%
9%
79%
70%
81%
85%
1%
1%
2%
1%
3%
3%
3%
1%
10%
17%
8%
4%
Overall
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Character andmoral values
Both Neither Don'tknow
Positions onkey issues
Nearly one in five Democrats think positions on key issues is more important when choosing a presidential candidate.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 47
Candidate characteristics by Subgroup
Q34. What is more important to you in choosing a presidential candidate? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
7%
16%
3%
4%
6%
4%
79%
79%
88%
81%
72%
68%
1%
1%
1%
1%
3%
4%
3%
0%
2%
2%
5%
6%
10%
4%
6%
13%
14%
19%
Overall
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other Religion (9%)
Character andmoral values
Both Neither Don'tknow
Positions onkey issues
Evangelicals were most likely to think character and moral values is most important when choosing a presidential candidate.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 48
Candidate characteristics by Subgroup
Q34. What is more important to you in choosing a presidential candidate? (RANDOMIZE 1-2)
7%
10%
7%
5%
79%
81%
82%
75%
1%
1%
2%
3%
1%
2%
4%
10%
7%
8%
13%
Overall
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Character andmoral values
Both Neither Don'tknow
Positions onkey issues
More than eight in ten churchgoers think both character and moral values and positions on key issues are important when choosing a presidential candidate.
-
Religious Profile of US Voters
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 50
Religious Affiliation by Party
20%
16%
44%
17%
22%
17%
25%
23%
22%
10%
10%
5%
29%
29%
12%
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Born Again/Evangelical
OtherProtestants
Catholic No Preference/Ref OtherReligion
Nearly half of Republicans identify as Born Again/Evangelical Christians.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 51
Religious Affiliation by Ideology
9%
17%
36%
14%
20%
21%
21%
27%
23%
44%
26%
14%
12%
10%
6%
Liberal (24%)
Moderate (25%)
Conservative (51%)
Born Again/Evangelical
OtherProtestants
Catholic No Preference/Ref OtherReligion
Over a quarter of Moderates identify as Catholic.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 52
Church Attendance by Religious Affiliation
60%
22%
34%
4%
26%
28%
37%
37%
12%
21%
13%
42%
29%
85%
53%
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other Religion (9%)
Regularly attend church Attend, not regularly Do not attend/Ref
More than half of Evangelicals attend church on a regular basis.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 53
Church Attendance by Party
23%
25%
46%
31%
22%
29%
46%
53%
24%
Democrat (34%)
Ind/Other (39%)
Republican (27%)
Regularly attend church Attend, not regularly Do not attend/Ref
Nearly half of Republicans are regular churchgoers.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 54
Church Attendance by Ideology
18%
20%
41%
20%
37%
25%
62%
43%
34%
Liberal (24%)
Moderate (25%)
Conservative (51%)
Regularly attend church Attend, not regularly Do not attend/Ref
Over half of Moderates attend church.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 55
Spirituality by Religious Affiliation
57%
22%
19%
17%
34%
41%
60%
64%
37%
44%
2%
16%
15%
41%
20%
0%
2%
2%
5%
2%
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other Religion (9%)
Very spiritual Somewhat spiritual Not spiritual Refused
Most unaffiliated voters consider themselves spiritual.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 56
Spirituality by Church Attendance
57%
22%
15%
40%
70%
43%
2%
8%
37%
0%
0%
4%
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Very spiritual Somewhat spiritual Not spiritual Refused
Most non-churchgoers consider themselves spiritual.
-
15-5689 Report - July 22 | 57
Belief in God by Religious Affiliation
100%
95%
95%
47%
67%
0%
0%
0%
25%
14%
0%
4%
4%
22%
9%
0%
1%
2%
6%
10%
Born Again/Evangelical (25%)
Other Protestants (19%)
Catholic (23%)
No Preference/Ref (24%)
Other Religion (9%)
Believe in God Do not believe in God Don't know Refused
Nearly half of unaffiliated voters believe in God.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 58
Belief in God by Church Attendance
98%
96%
62%
1%
1%
16%
1%
2%
16%
0%
1%
6%
Attend church regularly (30%)
Attend, not regularly (27%)
Do not attend/Ref (43%)
Believe in God Do not believe in God Don't know Refused
Most non-churchgoers believe in God.
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15-5689 Report - July 22 | 59
Contact Information
Patrick [email protected]
843.534.8177