2016-07-27
These charts measure differences between self-identified Republicans, independents and Democrats right after the 2000 election on four key religion measures: worship attendance; prayer outside of worship; salience (importance) of religion to the respondent; and belief in life after death.

The largest gap is on attendance: 52% of Republicans reported attending weekly or more often compared to 37% of Democrats, for a gap of 15%. (Some recent polls show an even bigger gap here.)

However, the gap is much smaller on prayer, salience and life after death--about 7% in favor of the Republican party in each case. For example, 68% of Republicans reported praying daily or more often, while 61% of the Democrats did.


For more analysis of these charts, see The Myth of the 'God Gulf'

Worship Attendance

Rep. Ind. Dem. Total Gap
Weekly 51.9% 42.3% 37.4% 43.9% 15% for Rep.
Monthly 29.7% 26.8% 36.2% 32.1% --
Rarely 18.4% 31.0% 26.4% 23.9% --
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%


Prayer Outside of Worship

Rep. Ind. Dem. Total Gap
Daily 67.5% 60.5% 61.3% 63.6% 7% for Rep.
Less than Daily 24.4% 26.1% 26.2% 25.5% --
Never 8% 13.4% 12.5% 10.9% --
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%


Salience of Religion (Importance)

Rep. Ind. Dem. Total Gap
Very Salient 45.4% 35.0% 38.3% 40.5% 7% for Rep.
Less Salient 37.9% 41.3% 38.9% 38.9% --
Not Salient 16.7% 23.7% 22.8% 20.5% --
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%


Beliefs About Life After Death

Rep. Ind. Dem. Total Gap
Cerain Life After 66.4% 58.6% 58.7% 61.7% 7% for Rep.
Doubts 28.4% 32.4% 33.8% 31.4% --
No Life After 5.3% 9.0% 7.5% 6.8% --
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%
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