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A majority of Democrats—52 percent—say they seldom or never go to church, according to Gallup data published Monday. That result is based on Gallup’s daily tracking polls conducted between June 1 and Aug. 31 of this year.
In addition to the 52 percent of Democrats who told Gallup they seldom or never go to church, another 20 percent said they go to church nearly weekly or monthly, and 27 percent said they go weekly.
On Oct. 28, Gallup reported that its daily tracking polls between June 1 and Aug. 31 showed that 38 percent of Republicans said they seldom or never go to church, while 21 percent said they go to church nearly weekly or monthly, and 40 percent said they go weekly.
When asked by Gallup what their religious denomination was, 19 percent of Democrats said they had none, while 9 percent of Republicans said they belonged to no religious denomination.
Democrats are less religious than the typical American and Republicans are more religous, according to Gallup’s data. Overall, 15 percent of Americans told Gallup they had no religious denomination. Also, overall, 46 percent of Americans told Gallup they seldom or never went to church, while 20 percent said they went to church nearly weekly or monthly, and 33 percent said they went weekly.
Gallup defines “Democrats” in its polling analysis as “those who either identify as Democrats or who identify as independents but say they lean toward the Democratic Party.” Similarly, it defines “Republicans” as "those who either identify as Republicans, or who identify as independents but say they lean toward the Republican Party.”
I haven't been to church, except for the rare occasion (wedding, funeral), in almost 25 years. Church attendance doesn't register very high on the list of personal qualities a candidate has to have to get my vote.
Not counting weddings and funerals, 38 percent of Americans say they go to religious services at least once a week. But there are big differences across demographic groups, with self-reported attendance peaking among older people, women, Southerners and Baptists, among others.
The biggest gap is between the oldest and youngest age groups. Sixty percent of people age 65 and older report attending religious services at least once a week; among 18 to 30-year-olds, just 28 percent go that often. Previous ABCNEWS polls, similarly, have found that religious belief and practice increase with age.
Funny I go to church almost every week. Sometimes 2-3x/wk depending upon days of obligation. But my ultra right wing neighbor is a bible thumping non-church goer b/c "the government is infringing upon the church".
I think it also happens to coincide with football also coming on, and so does his wife.
I am actually Christian and quite spiritual, but I simply cannot sit and listen to some blowhard with less education and life experience than me claim to speak for God. They (pastors) always seem to sound so certain about things that are so complex and mysterious. I have read the Bible, and I pray, and I think it is important, but I cannot sit passively and listen to platitudes. Nor will I get into the us vs. them thinking that so often comes along with it. I put no person between myself and God, and I do not deny the sanctity of another person's experience and chosen beliefs. It is a decision I made two decades ago. I enjoy attending services occasionally, but I am a spiritual free agent.
Neither do I like talk radio idiots shouting at me with what I should believe politically. I am quite the rugged individualist/conservative on religious matters (without spiritual liberty, the whole thing seems meaningless).
Perhaps there is a connection between a need for spiritual/intellectual autonomy and one's political leanings. I find it ironic that for all the discussion about liberty you hear from Tea Party patriots, they are typically quite likely to support very regimented and dogmatic views on religion and many social and economic issues. Sharia lite.
People observe those who attend church and the way they act, decent people just don't want a part of that hypocrisy.
The biggest scoundrels I've met are regular church goers. I actually admire their sexual prowess, but despise their hypocrisy.
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