Religion

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Miscellany ] [ Animals ] [ Computers ] [ Entertainment ] [ Hollywood and Beyond ] [ Journalism ] [ Life ] [ Music ] [ Places ] [ Religion ] [ Science and Nature ] [ Sports ] [ Transportation ] [ 20th Century ] [ 21st Century ] [ Values ] [ Work ]

Religion See also: Education | Law/Civil Rights | Science and Nature | Values

Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences Survey. May 12-18, 2010. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.7.
						.
"Which of these statements comes closest to describing your feelings about the Bible? The Bible is the actual Word of God. The Bible is the Word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally. OR, The Bible is a book written by men and is not the Word of God."
						.
		Actual Word of God	Not all to be taken literally	Written by men	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	5/12-18/10	40	34	21	6
	11/24 - 12/7/08	42	33	18	7
	11/26 - 12/9/07	42	36	15	7
	9/3-26/03	42	37	14	6
	9/02	44	35	13	7
	8-9/01	42	36	14	7

USA Today/Gallup Poll. May 1-2, 2010. N=1,049 adults nationwide, interviewed via Gallup Daily tracking. MoE ą 4.
					.
"Which comes closest to your view: there is a God who answers prayers, there is a God but God does not answer prayers, or there is no God?" Options rotated
					.
		God who answers prayers	God who does not answer prayers	No God	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	5/1-2/10	83	9	5	3
					.
"Which comes closest to your view about prayer: praying is effective only if a person prays regularly, praying can be effective for those who do not pray regularly, or how often someone prays has no impact on how effective prayer is?" Options rotated
					.
		Effective only if pray regularly	Can be effective if do not pray regularly	How often someone prays has no impact	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	5/1-2/10	19	14	61	6
					.
"Which comes closer to your view about prayer: prayer only is effective for people who hold certain religious beliefs, or prayer can be effective no matter what a person believes in?" Options rotated
					.
		Only for people who hold certain beliefs	No matter what a person believes in	Unsure
		%	%	%
	5/1-2/10	15	80	5
					.
"As you may know, in 1952 Congress designated a National Day of Prayer, which will be held May 6th this year. Do you favor or oppose having a National Day of Prayer, or doesn't it matter to you either way?" N=497, MoE ą 5
					.
		Favor	Oppose	Doesn't matter	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	5/1-2/10	57	5	38	1
					.
"As you may know, in 1952 Congress designated a National Day of Prayer, which will be held on May 6th this year. A private task force organizing national prayer day events says a major goal should be to publicize and promote Christian prayer. Do you think this should or should not be one of the major goals of the National Day of Prayer?" N=552, MoE ą 5
					.
		Should	Should not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	5/1-2/10	62	36	3

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. April 9-11, 2010. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"We'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them. Pope Benedict the Sixteenth."
					.
		Favorable	Unfavorable	Never heard of	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
					.
	ALL
	4/9-11/10	35	39	6	20
	2/12-15/10	59	17	9	15
					.
	Catholics N=231, MoE ą 6.5
	4/9-11/10	59	25	5	11
	2/12-15/10	78	9	6	7
					.
"Overall, do you think the Catholic Church has done a good job or a bad job in dealing with the problem of sexual abuse committed by its priests?"
					.
		Good job	Bad job	Unsure
		%	%	%
					.
	ALL
	4/9-11/10	11	84	6	.
					.
	Catholics N=231, MoE ą 6.5
	4/9-11/10	23	74	4	.
					.
"And thinking specifically of Pope Benedict, do you think the Pope has done a good job or a bad job in dealing with the problem of sexual abuse committed by its priests?"
					.
		Good job	Bad job	Unsure
		%	%	%
					.
	ALL
	4/9-11/10	20	70	10	.
					.
	Catholics N=231, MoE ą 6.5
	4/9-11/10	36	56	8	.

Pew Research Center. April 1-5, 2010. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4.
					.
"How much, if anything, have you heard about Pope Benedict the sixteenth who heads the Roman Catholic Church: a lot, a little, or nothing at all?" 4/08: "In 2005, Pope Benedict the sixteenth became head of the Roman Catholic Church. How much have you heard about Pope Benedict: a lot, a little, or nothing at all?"
					.
		A lot	A little	Nothing	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	4/1-5/10	29	45	25	1
	4/08	29	55	15	1
					.
	If heard a lot or a little (N=785): "In your view, how good a job has the pope done in addressing the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church? Has he done an excellent, good, only fair, or a poor job?"
					.
		Excellent	Good	Only fair	Poor	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	4/1-5/10	3	9	27	44	17
	4/08	9	30	28	20	13

CBS News Poll. March 29-April 1, 2010. N=858 adults nationwide (MoE ą 3), including 204 Catholics.
					.
"Is your opinion of Pope Benedict the Sixteenth favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't heard enough about Pope Benedict the Sixteenth yet to have an opinion?"
					.
		Favorable	Not favorable	Undecided	Haven't heard enough	Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	ALL
	3/29 - 4/1/10	15	24	26	31	4
	4/06	14	4	17	59	6
					.
	Catholics
	3/29 - 4/1/10	27	11	36	19	7
	4/06	40	1	15	39	5
					.
"Do you think the Pope and the Vatican have done a good job or a poor job handling charges of sexual abuse of children and teenagers by priests?"
					.
		Good job	Poor job	Undecided	.
		%	%	%	.
	ALL	13	69	18	.
	Catholics	20	55	25	.

USA Today/Gallup Poll. March 26-28, 2010. N=1,033 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4.
					.
"Next, we'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them. How about Pope Benedict the 16th?"
					.
		Favorable	Unfavorable	Never heard of	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	ALL
	3/26-28/10	40	35	7	18
	4/18-20/08	63	15	4	18
	6/1-3/07	52	16	9	23
	12/16-18/05	50	11	9	30
	4/29 - 5/1/05	55	12	8	25
					.
	Catholics N=240, MoE ą 7
	3/26-28/10	61	25	4	10
	4/18-20/08	81	12	1	7
					.
	Non-Catholics N=793, MoE ą 4
	3/26-28/10	35	38	8	20
	4/18-20/08	58	16	5	21

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Feb. 12-15, 2010. N=1,023 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"We'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them. . . ."
					.
		Favorable	Unfavorable	Never heard of	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
					.
	"Billy Graham"
	2/12-15/10	57	22	12	9
					.
	"The Dalai Lama the spiritual leader of Tibet"
	2/12-15/10	56	18	13	14
					.
	"Pat Robertson"
	2/12-15/10	25	44	20	12

Gallup Poll. Dec. 11-13, 2009. N=1,025 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4.
						.
"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	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/11-13/09	54	25	20	1
	5/7-10/09	57	24	18	1
	12/4-7/08	56	22	22	-
	5/8-11/08	52	30	17	1
	12/6-9/07	56	26	17	1
	5/10-13/07	56	26	17	1
	5/8-11/06	56	28	16	-
	5/2-5/05	55	28	16	1
	5/2-4/04	55	29	15	1
	11/03	61	25	14	-
	5/03	58	28	14	-
	2/03	60	23	17	-
	12/02	61	27	11	1
	9/02	65	23	12	-
	5/02	56	30	13	1
	3/02	58	27	14	1
	12/01	60	26	13	1
	9/01	64	24	12	-
	5/01	57	28	15	-
	2/01	55	30	15	-
	8/00	57	31	12	-
	3/00	61	27	12	-
	12/99	61	27	11	1
	5/99	58	30	11	1
	6/98	62	25	12	1
	1/98	59	29	12	-
	1993	59	32	9	-
	1990	58	29	13	-
	1985	55	31	13	1
	1980	55	31	13	1
	1978	52	32	14	2
	1965	70	22	7	1
						.
"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 (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/11-13/09	31	65	2	2
	5/7-10/09	18	76	2	3
	12/4-7/08	27	67	2	3
	5/8-11/08	30	66	2	2
	12/6-9/07	32	61	2	5
	12/02	43	51	3	3
	3/02	53	42	2	3
	12/01	71	24	2	3
	2/01	39	55	3	3
	8/00	35	58	4	3
	3/00	37	58	-	5
	12/99	40	54	3	3
	5/99	32	62	3	3
	6/98	37	56	4	3
	1/98	48	48	1	3
	1990	33	48	8	11
	1985	48	39	10	3
	1980	35	46	11	8
	1978	37	48	10	5
	1970	14	75	7	4
	1965	33	45	13	8
	1957	69	14	10	6

"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	Out of date	Other (vol.)/ Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/11-13/09	57	29	15
	5/7-10/09	60	26	13
	12/4-7/08	53	28	19
	5/8-11/08	61	26	13
	12/6-9/07	55	25	19
	12/02	59	24	17
	3/02	66	20	14
	12/01	61	21	18
	2/01	63	22	15
	8/00	63	17	20
	3/00	66	21	13
	12/99	68	19	13
	5/99	66	21	11
	6/98	63	20	17
	1/98	67	20	13
	1990	63	18	19
	1985	58	24	18
	1974	62	20	18
	1957	82	7	11

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. March 26-29, 2009. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"Do you feel you do or do not have a good basic understanding of the teachings and beliefs of Islam, the Muslim religion?"
					.
		Do	Do not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/26-29/09	45	55	-
	9/5-7/06	40	58	2
	3/2-5/06	40	59	1
	9/03	33	64	3
					.
"Would you say you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of Islam?"
					.
		Favorable	Unfavorable	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/26-29/09	41	48	11
	9/5-7/06	41	45	14
	3/2-5/06	43	46	11
	9/03	39	38	23
					.
"Every religion has mainstream beliefs, and also fringe elements or extremists. Thinking of mainstream Islam, do you think mainstream Islam encourages violence against non-Muslims, or is it a peaceful religion?"
					.
		Encourages violence	Peaceful	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/26-29/09	29	58	13
	9/5-7/06	33	54	13
	3/2-5/06	33	54	13
					.
"Do you personally know anyone who is a Muslim, or not?"
					.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/26-29/09	47	53	1
	10/1	41	58	1

Quinnipiac University Poll. July 8-13, 2008. N=1,783 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 2.3.
					.
"Do you support or oppose giving federal money to faith-based organizations, such as churches or synagogues, to help them run social programs?"
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	7/8-13/08	53	41	5
					.
"Do you think that these faith-based organizations that receive federal money should be able to discriminate in favor of hiring people of their own faith?"
					.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	7/8-13/08	16	77	7

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 10-13, 2008. N=1,197 adults nationwide (MoE ą 3), including, with an oversample, 292 Catholics (MoE ą 5.5). Fieldwork by TNS.
					.
"Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Pope Benedict the 16th?"
					.
		Favorable	Unfavorable	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL	48	24	28
	Catholics	74	13	14
					.
Asked of Catholics: "Do you think Pope Benedict should maintain the traditional policies of the Church, or should he change Church policies to reflect the attitudes and lifestyles of Catholics today?" Options rotated
					.
		Maintain	Change	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/10-13/08	50	45	5
	4/05	50	48	1
					.
Asked of Catholics: "In general, do you think the Roman Catholic Church is in touch with the views of Catholics in America today, or is it out of touch?"
					.
		In Touch	Out of Touch	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/10-13/08	34	62	4
	4/05	44	52	4
	10/03	34	62	3
	10/95	38	58	5
					.
Asked of Catholics: "Currently, Roman Catholic priests cannot get married. Do you favor or oppose that policy?"
					.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/10-13/08	36	60	4
	10/03	30	67	2
	10/95	37	61	1
					.
Asked of Catholics: "Currently, women cannot become priests in the Roman Catholic Church. Do you favor or oppose that policy?"
					.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/10-13/08	36	60	3
	10/03	32	64	4
	3/02	35	61	4
	10/95	33	65	2
					.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Catholic Church has handled the issue of sexual abuse of children by priests?"
					.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL	17	74	9
	Catholics	24	73	3

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Dec. 14-17, 2007. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1.
					.
"When it comes to the role of religion in the presidential election, would you say that religion is talked about too much, too little, or about the right amount?"
					.
		Too much	Too little	About right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/14-17/07	45	22	30	3

CBS News Poll. June 26-28, 2007. N=750 registered voters nationwide.
						.
"Do you think it is appropriate for political candidates to talk about their religious beliefs as part of their political campaigns, or do you think this is not appropriate?"
						.
		Appropriate	Not appropriate	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL reg. voters	50	48	2
	Republicans	65	32	3
	Democrats	41	57	2
	Independents	48	51	1
						.
	5/20-23/04	50	47	3
						.
"Do you think it is appropriate for religious leaders to urge people to vote for or against a political candidate, or is that not appropriate?"
						.
		Appropriate	Not appropriate	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL reg. voters	27	70	3
	Republicans	41	58	1
	Democrats	21	77	2
	Independents	22	72	6
						.
	5/20-23/04	33	63	4
						.
"Thinking about your vote for president next year, how important is it that a candidate SHARES your religious beliefs? Is it very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?"
						.
		Very important	Somewhat important	Not very important	Not at all important	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	ALL reg. voters	15	23	23	38	1
	Republicans	30	28	20	21	1
	Democrats	7	23	27	42	1
	Independents	12	18	21	48	1
						.
"How important is it for a candidate to have STRONG religious beliefs, regardless of whether those beliefs are the same as yours? Is it very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?"
						.
		Very important	Somewhat important	Not very important	Not at all important	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	ALL reg. voters	27	36	16	20	1
	Republicans	43	35	12	7	3
	Democrats	23	35	19	23	0
	Independents	20	36	17	27	0

Gallup Poll. May 10-13, 2007. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (total sample).
						.
"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. . . ." N=500, MoE ą 5 (Form A)
						.
		Believe in	Not sure	Don't believe In	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	God
	5/10-13/07	86	8	6	-
	5/2-4/04	90	5	4	1
						.
	Heaven
	5/10-13/07	81	8	11	-
	5/2-4/04	81	10	8	1
						.
	Angels
	5/10-13/07	75	11	14	-
	5/2-4/04	78	11	10	1
						.
	The Devil
	5/10-13/07	70	8	21	1
	5/2-4/04	70	10	19	1
						.
	Hell
	5/10-13/07	69	8	22	1
	5/2-4/04	70	12	17	1
						.
"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?" N=503, MoE ą 5 (Form B)
						.
		God	Universal spirit/Higher power	Neither	Other (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	5/10-13/07	78	14	7	-	1
	5/2-4/04	81	13	5	-	1
	12/9-12/99	86	8	5	1	-

Gallup Poll. Jan. 15-18, 2007. N=1,018 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"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	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/15-18/07	22	34	23	16	5
	1/10-14/01	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	Less	As it is now	Other (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/15-18/07	27	32	39	-	2
	1/10-14/01	30	22	45	1	2

USA Today/Gallup Poll. July 28-30, 2006. N=1,007 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"Now thinking specifically about Muslims, do you think each of the following applies or does not apply to Muslims living in the U.S.? How about, they are [see below]?"
					.
		Applies	Does not apply	Unsure
		%	%	%
	"Committed to their religious beliefs"
	7/28-30/06	87	7	7
					.
	"Loyal to the United States"
	7/28-30/06	49	39	12
					.
	"Respectful of other religions"
	7/28-30/06	47	40	13
					.
	"Too extreme in their religious beliefs"
	7/28-30/06	44	46	10
					.
	"Respectful of women"
	7/28-30/06	35	52	13
					.
	"Sympathetic to the al-Qaeda terrorist organization"
	7/28-30/06	34	50	16
					.
"If you honestly assessed yourself, would you say that you have at least some feelings of prejudice against Muslims, or not?"
					.
		Yes, do	No, do not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	7/28-30/06	39	59	2

Gallup Poll. May 8-11, 2006. N=1,002 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"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 of God	Inspired word of God	Fables	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	5/8-11/06	28	49	19	3
	5/2-5/05	32	47	18	3
	11/04	34	48	15	3
	12/02	30	52	15	3
	2/01	27	49	20	4
	6/98	33	47	17	3
	7-8/80	40	45	10	6
	8/76	38	45	13	5

CBS News Poll. April 6-9, 2006. N=899 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Which of the following statements comes closest to your belief about God: you believe in God; you don't believe in God, but you believe in some other universal spirit or higher power; or you don't believe in either?"
						.
		God	Universal Spirit	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	82	9	8	1
						.
"How important is religion in your daily life? Is it extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important?"
						.
		Extremely Important	Very Important	Somewhat Important	Not at All Important	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	26	33	26	13	2
						.
"Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word."
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	43	54	3
						.
"Do you think people who have strong religious beliefs are discriminated against in this country?"
						.
		Yes	No	Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	48	43	5	4
	11/18-21/04	36	55	4	5
						.
"In general, do you think that teaching the Bible in a public school does or does not violate the Constitution and the separation of church and state?"
						.
		Does	Does Not	Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	46	46	2	6
						.
"Do you think public schools should or should not be allowed to teach the Bible as a piece of literature, in classes like English or Social Studies?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	64	29	4	3
						.
"Would you like to see religious and spiritual values have more influence in the schools than they do now, less influence, or about the same influence as they do now?"
						.
		More	Less	Same	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	49	16	32	3
						.
"What is your impression of [see below]? As of today, is it very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, very unfavorable, of haven't you heard enough about that to say?"
						.
		Favorable	Unfavorable	Haven't Heard Enough	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
						.
	"Christian fundamentalist religions"
	4/6-9/06	31	31	32	6
						.
	"The Mormon religion"
	4/6-9/06	20	39	38	3
						.
	"The Catholic religion"
	4/6-9/06	48	37	11	4
						.
	"Other Christian religions, such as Protestantism"
	4/6-9/06	58	12	27	3
						.
	"The Jewish religion"
	4/6-9/06	47	16	33	4
						.
	"Scientology"
	4/6-9/06	8	52	37	3
						.
	"The religion called Islam"
	4/6-9/06	19	45	31	5
	2/22-26/06	23	36	32	9
	2/02	30	33	31	6
						.
"Generally speaking, do you think the Islamic religion encourages violence more than other religions around the world, about the same amount, or less than other religions around the world?"
						.
		More	Same	Less	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/6-9/06	46	30	7	17
	2/22-26/06	39	35	8	18

*ABC News/Washington Post* Poll. March 2-5, 2006. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Every religion has mainstream beliefs, and also fringe elements or extremists. Thinking of mainstream Islam, do you think mainstream Islam teaches respect for the beliefs of non-Muslims, or not?"
						.
		Does	Does Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/2-5/06	41	45	14
						.
"Do you think mainstream Islam encourages violence against non-Muslims, or is it a peaceful religion?"
						.
		Encourages Violence	Peaceful	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/2-5/06	33	54	13
	1/02	14	57	29
						.
"Compared to other religions, do you think there are more violent extremists within Islam, fewer, or about the same number as in other religions?"
						.
		More	Same	Fewer	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/2-5/06	58	34	3	5
	1/02	38	41	5	17

CBS News Poll. Feb. 22-26, 2006. N=1,018 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"As you may know, a Danish newspaper published some cartoons depicting Muhammad, which offended Muslims around the world and led to violent protests by Muslims in many countries. Based on what you've seen or read, do you think the reaction by Muslims was justified, or not justified, or don't you know enough about it to say?"
					.
		Justified	Not Justified	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/22-26/06	9	56	35
					.
"Based on what you've seen or read, do you think the Danish newspaper was justified in publishing the cartoons, or not justified, or don't you know enough about it to say?"
					.
		Justified	Not Justified	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/22-26/06	32	27	41

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. Feb. 9-12, 2006. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"As you may know, several newspapers in Europe recently printed cartoons showing Mohammed, the founder of Islam, in ways that offended the religious views of many Muslims. How closely have you been following the news about this: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?"
						.
		Very Closely	Somewhat Closely	Not Too Closely	Not at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/9-12/06	21	35	25	18	1
						.
"Do you think the European newspapers that printed those cartoons acted responsibly or irresponsibly?"
						.
		Responsibly	Irresponsibly	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/9-12/06	29	61	10
						.
"Overall, do you think this controversy is due more to Western nations' lack of respect for the Islamic religion, or due more to Muslims' intolerance of different points of view?" Options rotated
						.
		Western Lack of Respect	Muslim Intolerance	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/9-12/06	21	61	6	2	9
						.
"Which comes closer to your view? The U.S. news media have an obligation to show controversial items that are newsworthy even if they may offend the religious views of some people. OR, The U.S. news media have an obligation to avoid offending the religious views of some people even if that prevents them from showing controversial items that are newsworthy." Options rotated
						.
		Obligation to Show News- worthy Items	Obligation to Avoid Offending	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/9-12/06	57	33	10

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Nov. 29-30, 2005. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Which one of the following is closer to your view? Religion is under attack in America today. Religion has too much influence in America today. The current standing of religion in America is just about right."
						.
		Under Attack	Too Much Influence	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	49	17	22	12
						.
"Do you feel like Christianity is under attack in the United States today?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	59	37	4
						.
"Do you agree or disagree there is a war on Christmas in the United States today?"
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	42	48	10
						.
"Around this time of year, there is talk about whether holiday decorations on public property should include a nativity scene. Some say nativity scenes should not be on public property because this violates the separation of church and state. Others say it is acceptable for nativity scenes to be on public property because they are part of the historical celebration of Christmas. What is your view? Should nativity scenes be allowed on public property, or not?"
						.
		Allowed	Not Allowed	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	83	12	5
						.
"Are you offended by stores that instruct employees not to say 'Merry Christmas' and make it a policy to specifically not use the words 'Merry Christmas' in advertising and promotions?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	45	49	6
						.
"Do you believe the motto 'In God we trust' should remain on U.S. currency and coins or should it be removed?"
						.
		Remain	Removed	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	93	4	3
	4/25-26/05	92	5	3
						.
"Do you believe the phrase 'under God' should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance or should it be removed?"
						.
		Should Remain	Should Be Removed	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	90	7	3
						.
"Do you think it should be legal or illegal to display the Ten Commandments on government property?"
						.
		Legal	Illegal	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	76	15	8
	3/1-2/05	77	14	9
						.
"Do you agree or disagree that the courts have gone too far in taking religion out of public life?"
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	77	17	6
						.
"Do you agree or disagree with the idea of removing all religious holidays from public school calendars?"
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Remove Some (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	8	87	2	4
						.
"Do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea to post the Ten Commandments in public schools?"
						.
		Good Idea	Bad Idea	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	66	24	10
						.
"Do you favor or oppose allowing public schools to set aside time for a moment of silence?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	87	9	4
						.
"Do you favor or oppose allowing voluntary prayer in public schools?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	82	14	5
						.
"Do you favor or oppose allowing public schools to have a prayer during graduation ceremonies?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/29-30/05	82	11	6

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Sept. 27-28, 2005. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all registered voters).
						.
"As you may have heard, a federal district judge has ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion and cannot be recited in public schools because it contains the phrase 'under God.' Do you agree or disagree with the judge's decision that the Pledge is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion?"
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure
		%	%	%
	9/27-28/05	11	87	2
						.
"Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It feels like the country is becoming anti-religion."
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Already Was (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	ALL	54	39	1	6
	Democrats	45	47	-	8
	Republicans	68	26	1	4
	Independents	47	47	2	5

Gallup Poll. Aug. 8-11, 2005. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

.

"Please tell me whether you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment to allow voluntary prayer in public schools."

.

Favor Oppose Unsure

% % %

8/8-11/05 76 23 1

8/16-19/01 78 20 2

9/11-13/00 74 23 3

.

"If you had a choice, which would you prefer in the local public schools: spoken prayer, or a moment of silence for contemplation or silent prayer?" Options rotated

.

Spoken
Prayer Silence/
Silent Prayer Neither (vol.) Both (vol.)

% % % %

8/8-11/05 23 69 5 3

.

"Thinking about the presence that religion currently has in public schools in this country, do you think religion has too much of a presence in public schools, about the right amount, or too little of a presence in public schools?" Options rotated

.

Too Much About Right Too Little Unsure

% % % %

8/8-11/05 11 27 60 2

2/9-11/01 7 28 63 2

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. June 24-26, 2005. N=1,009 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"As you may know, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case regarding whether a monument to the Ten Commandments can be displayed on the grounds of state government buildings in Texas and Kentucky. Do you think the U.S. Supreme Court should or should not allow the state governments to display that monument?"
					.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/24-26/05	75	23	2

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 1-2, 2005. Adults nationwide.
		.	.	.	.	.
"Do you think the religious right has too much influence, too little influence, or the right amount of influence in the Bush Administration?" Form A (N=519, MoE ą 5)
					.
		Too Much	Too Little	Right Amount	None (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	4/1-2/05	39	18	39	1	3
		.	.	.	.	.
"Do you think the religious right has too much influence, too little influence, or the right amount of influence over the Republicans in Congress?" Form B (N=521, MoE ą 5)
					.
		Too Much	Too Little	Right Amount	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/1-2/05	39	23	33	5

Associated Press/Ipsos poll conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. April 1-3, 2005. N=1,001 adults nationwide (MoE ą 3.1), including 219 Catholics.
						.
"How do you think Pope John Paul II will go down in history? Would you say he will be remembered as one of the greatest popes, above average, average, below average, or one of the worst popes?"
						.
		One of the Greatest	Above Average	Average	Below Average	One of Worst
		%	%	%	%	%
	ALL adults	51	25	17	1	1
	Catholics	72	20	6	2	-
						.
"Should the next pope give lay people a greater say in how the church is governed, or not?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL adults	62	29	9
	Catholics	63	35	2
						.
"Do you think the next pope should do more to address the problem of sexual abuse of children and teenagers by priests or do you think the church has done enough?"
						.
		Should Do More	Has Done Enough	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL adults	86	12	2
	Catholics	82	17	1
						.
"Do you think the next pope should change church policies to allow priests to marry or maintain traditional policies requiring priests to be celibate?"
						.
		Allow Marriage	Require Celibacy	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL adults	69	25	6
	Catholics	60	36	4
						.
"Should the next pope allow women to be ordained as priests, or not?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	ALL adults	64	32	4
	Catholics	60	38	2
						.
"Should the next pope be from one of the places where Catholicism is growing fastest -- like Africa or Latin America -- or from Europe, where popes traditionally have come from?"
						.
		Growth Areas	Europe	U.S. (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	ALL adults	37	36	1	26
	Catholics	41	43	1	15

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 1-2, 2005. N=1,040 adults nationwide (MoE ą 3), including 254 Catholics (MoE ą 7).
						.
"How much will it matter to you who the Catholic Church chooses as the next pope: a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or not at all?"
						.
		Great Deal	Moderate Amount	Not Much	Not At All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	ALL adults	15	19	18	47	1
	Catholics	36	29