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Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.

Data Archive > U.S. Surveys > General Population > National > Pew Research Center > Codebook


All frequencies are raw numbers (no weights used).
1) Weight variable recommended for use in all analyses (WEIGHT)
2) Unique respondent identification number (PSRAID)
3) Religion in which respondent was raised (from Religious Landscape Survey) (FRMREL2)
1) Baptist
2) Methodist
3) Nondenominational Christian
4) Lutheran
5) Presbyterian
6) Pentecostal
7) Episcopalian
8) Church of Christ or Disciples of Christ
9) Congregationalist or United Church of Christ
10) Holiness Christian
11) Reformed Christian
12) Adventist
13) Anabaptist
15) Quaker or Friends
16) Evangelical or Fundamentalist Christian
18) Just Protestant
10000) Catholic
20000) Mormon
30000) Orthodox Christian
40001) Jehovah's Witness
50000) Jewish
60000) Muslim
70000) Buddhist
80000) Hindu
100001) Atheist
100002) Agnostic
100003) Unaffiliated with any particular religion
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4) Respondent’s current religion (from Religious Landscape Survey) (CURREL2)
1) Baptist
2) Methodist
3) Nondenominational Christian
4) Lutheran
5) Presbyterian
6) Pentecostal
7) Episcopalian
8) Church of Christ or Disciples of Christ
9) Congregationalist or United Church of Christ
10) Holiness Christian
11) Reformed Christian
12) Adventist
13) Anabaptist
14) Pietist
15) Quaker or Friends
16) Evangelical or Fundamentalist Christian
18) Just Protestant
10000) Catholic
20000) Mormon
30000) Orthodox Christian
40001) Jehovah's Witness
50000) Jewish
60000) Muslim
70000) Buddhist
80000) Hindu
100001) Atheist
100002) Agnostic
100003) Unaffiliated with any particular religion
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5) Distinguishes converts from non-converts. Converts are defined as those whose value in CURREL2 is different than their value in FRMREL2. Non-converts are defined as those who have the same value in both CURREL2 and FRMREL2. (CON11)
0) Non-converts
1) Converts
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6) This is the variable that defines the quota groups described in the “Design and Data Collection Procedures” section above. These are not the groups that were analyzed in the Faith in Flux report. (GROUP)
1) Group 1 – Raised Catholic, now unaffiliated
2) Group 2 – Raised Catholic, now affiliated with new religion
3) Group 3 – Raised in non-Catholic faith, now unaffiliated
4) Group 4 – Raised in non-Catholic faith, now affiliated with new religion
5) Group 5 – Raised unaffiliated, now affiliated with a religion
6) Group 6 – Non-converts, affiliated (i.e., raised affiliated, still in same faith)
7) Group 7 – Non-converts, unaffiliated (i.e., raised unaffiliated, still unaffiliated)
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7) This is the variable that defines the religious groups upon which the reporting in Faith in Flux is based. The categories in FINALGRP consist mostly of subsets of the categories in GROUP. (FINALGRP)
1) Raised Catholic, now unaffiliated
2) Raised Catholic, now Protestant
3) Raised Protestant, now unaffiliated
4) Raised Protestant, now part of new Protestant faith
5) Raised unaffiliated, now affiliated with a religion
6) Raised affiliated, still in same faith
7) Raised unaffiliated, still unaffiliated
8) Others
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8) ASK ALL CONVERTS (CON11=1): About how old were you when you stopped being (FRMREL)? [INTERVIEWER: IF R SAYS THEY HAVE STOPPED BEING FRMREL MORE THAN ONCE, SPECIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS APPLY TO THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY STOPPED BEING FRMREL] (Q1)
9) IF Q1=99, ASK: Just thinking in general terms, would you say you were under the age of 13, between the ages of 13 and 17, between 18 and 23, between 24 and 35, between 36 and 50, between 51 and 65, or were you older than 65? (Q1A)
1) Under age 13
2) Between 13 and 17
3) Between 18 and 23
4) Between 24 and 35
5) Between 36 and 50
6) Between 51 and 65
7) Older than 65
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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10) IF Q1<18 OR Q1A<3, ASK: And would you say that the decision to stop being (FRMREL) was mostly your own decision, or was it mostly decided by your parents or family? IF FRMREL=UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELIGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And would you say that the decision to start identifying with a religion was mostly your own decision, or was it mostly decided by your parents or family? (Q2)
1) Mostly own decision
2) Mostly decided by parents or family (SKIP TO Q7)
3) Both/neither (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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11) ASK ALL QUALIFIED CONVERTS (CON11=1 AND Q2 NE 2): And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you are no longer (FRMREL)? IF FRMREL=UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you started identifying with a religion? FIRST MENTION (Q3OE_1)
12) ASK ALL QUALIFIED CONVERTS (CON11=1 AND Q2 NE 2): And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you are no longer (FRMREL)? IF FRMREL=UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you started identifying with a religion? SECOND MENTION (Q3OE_2)
13) ASK ALL QUALIFIED CONVERTS (CON11=1 AND Q2 NE 2): And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you are no longer (FRMREL)? IF FRMREL=UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you started identifying with a religion? THIRD MENTION (Q3OE_3)
10) Do not believe in former religion/share the beliefs of former religion/any religion
19) Previous religion or religion in general not logical/not believable/not rational/not scientific/does not make sense
28) Disagree with former religion on priestly celibacy (religion enforces but shouldn't)
50) Liked current religion's beliefs about God/because of belief in God or Jesus or higher being/because of faith/found the truth/like teachings of current religion/became closer to God/current religion made sense
88) Biblical or scriptural reason (respondent believes in Bible/former religion did not adhere closely enough/current religion adheres more closely)
149) Disagree with former religion on homosexuality (general)
155) Disagree with former religion on homosexuality (religion too conservative / too unwelcoming)
158) Disagree with former religion's views of women (general)
170) Disagree with former religion on birth control (religion should allow but didn't)
253) Dislike way former religion is run / leadership/hierarchy/structure
257) Former religion out of touch
345) Former religion and/or adherents hypocritical, judgmental, intolerant, narrow, exclusive
371) Just don't like religion or form religion/disappointed with religion/do not trust religion/have conflict with religion/didn't like going to church/disillusioned/disenchanted with religion or church/wasn't right for me
393) Like particular pastor/joined because of influence of particular pastor
482) Spiritual awakening/personal spiritual growth/self-realization/spiritual change
488) Looking for something/looking for answers/wanted to learn about God or religion/looking for something bigger than oneself/became interested in God or religion/felt a need/missing something/on a quest/wanted more/looking for something deeper
503) Tangible benefits of religion/good things happen to believers/found more joy, peace, happiness, fulfillment etc.
555) Just drifted away, stopped going, got away from it, fell away, don't go to church
999) Don't know/refused
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14) Collapsed version of Q3OE_1 (Q3OE_1B)
1) Religious teachings
2) Moral/social teachings
3) Organized religion
4) Religion's rules, rigidity, etc.
5) Particular churches and their leaders/members
6) Spiritual/social connectedness
7) Personal spirituality
8) Marriage and family
9) New circumstances
10) Other reasons
11) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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15) Collapsed version of Q3OE_2 (Q3OE_2B)
1) Religious teachings
2) Moral/social teachings
3) Organized religion
4) Religion's rules, rigidity, etc.
5) Particular churches and their leaders/members
6) Spiritual/social connectedness
7) Personal spirituality
8) Marriage and family
9) New circumstances
10) Other reasons
12) No answer given
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16) Collapsed version of Q3OE_3 (Q3OE_3B)
1) Religious teachings
2) Moral/social teachings
3) Organized religion
4) Religion's rules, rigidity, etc.
5) Particular churches and their leaders/members
7) Personal spirituality
10) Other reasons
12) No answer given
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17) Collapsed version of Q3OE_1B (Q3OE_1C)
1) Religious and moral beliefs
2) Religious institutions, practices and people
3) Personal spirituality
4) Lifecycle changes
5) Other reasons
6) Don't know/refused
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18) Collapsed version of Q3OE_2B (Q3OE_2C)
1) Religious and moral beliefs
2) Religious institutions, practices and people
3) Personal spirituality
4) Lifecycle changes
5) Other reasons
7) No answer given
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19) Collapsed version of Q3OE_3B (Q3OE_3C)
1) Religious and moral beliefs
2) Religious institutions, practices and people
3) Personal spirituality
5) Other reasons
7) No answer given
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20) There are many reasons people have given us for why they are no longer (FRMREL). As I read a list of possible reasons, please tell me whether or not each one is an important reason for why you are no longer (FRMREL). What about this… (INSERT; RANDOMIZE IN BLOCKS; FIRST a-d.3, THEN e-i, THEN k-s). Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? What about (INSERT NEXT ITEM). (READ FOR FIRST SEVERAL ITEMS, THEN AS NECESSARY AND AT LEAST EVERY THREE OR FOUR ITEMS, AND EVERY TIME AFTER READING Q.5: Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not?) IF FRMREL2=100003 USE ALTERNATE WORDING: There are many reasons people have given us for why they started identifying with their first religious group after having not been raised in any particular religion. As I read a list of possible reasons, please tell me if each one is an important reason for why you started identifying with your first religion, even if your first religion is different than your current religion. First, what about this… (INSERT; RANDOMIZE a-d.3,). Is this an important reason you started identifying with your first religion, or not? What about (INSERT NEXT ITEM). (READ FOR FIRST SEVERAL ITEMS, THEN AS NECESSARY AND AT LEAST EVERY THREE OR FOUR ITEMS: Is this an important reason you started identifying with your first religion, or not?) You married someone who is not (FRMREL)/IF FRMREL2=100003 USE ALTERNATE WORDING: You married someone who identifies with a religion. (Q4A)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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21) Your spiritual needs were not being met. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4B)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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22) You moved to a new community. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4C)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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23) You found a religion that you liked more than being (FRMREL). Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4D)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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24) You became separated or divorced. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4D2)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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25) Someone you were close to passed away. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4D3)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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26) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You weren't satisfied with the [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, FRMREL2=10000, INSERT: priests at your parish; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: clergy at your local congregation]. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4E)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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27) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You just gradually drifted away from the religion. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4F)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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28) IF CONVERT RAISED CATHOLIC: You were unhappy about the Church's rule that priests can't get married. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4G)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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29) IF CONVERT RAISED CATHOLIC: The clergy sexual-abuse scandal. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4H)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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30) IF CONVERT RAISED CATHOLIC: The Church drifted too far away from its traditional practices and teachings, like Latin Mass and not eating meat on Fridays all year long. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4I)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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31) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You were unhappy about the way the religion treated women. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4K)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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32) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You were unhappy about the religion's teachings about divorce and re-marriage. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4L)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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33) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You weren't satisfied with the atmosphere at [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, FRMREL2=10000, INSERT: Mass; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: worship services]. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4M)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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34) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You weren't comfortable, with the feeling of community at [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, FRMREL2=10000, INSERT: your parish; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: your local congregation]. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4N)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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35) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You stopped believing in the religion's teachings. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4O)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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36) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You were unhappy about the religion's teachings about things like abortion and homosexuality. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4P)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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37) IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You were unhappy about the religion's teachings about things like poverty or social justice, war and peace, and the death penalty. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4Q)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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38) IF CONVERT RAISED CHRISTIAN: You were unhappy about the religion's teachings about the Bible. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4R)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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39) IF CONVERT RAISED CATHOLIC: You were unhappy about the Church's teachings about birth control. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? (Q4S)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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40) IF Q4K=1, ASK: And would you say that the religion treated men better than women, or the religion treated women better than men? (Q5K)
1) Treated men better than women
2) Treated women better than men
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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41) IF Q4L=1, ASK: And would you say that the religion was too strict and conservative about divorce and remarriage, or the religion was too relaxed and liberal about divorce and remarriage? (Q5L)
1) Too strict/conservative about divorce/remarriage
2) Too relaxed/liberal about divorce/remarriage
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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42) IF Q4M=1, ASK: And would you say that that you weren't satisfied with the atmosphere at [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, INSERT: Mass was; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: worship services were] too boring and uninspiring, or [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, INSERT: Mass was; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: worship services were] too emotional and exuberant? (Q5M)
1) Mass/services were too boring and uninspiring
2) Mass/services were too emotional and exuberant
3) Neither/both equally/other (VOL
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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43) IF Q4N=1, ASK: And would you say that there wasn't enough of a sense of community at [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, INSERT: your parish; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: your local congregation], or the community at [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, INSERT: your parish; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: your local congregation] was too close, with too many people trying to be involved in other people's private lives? (Q5N)
1) Not enough sense of community
2) Community was too close
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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44) IF Q4O=1, ASK: And would you say that this was mostly because of your education, or this was mostly because of some other reason? (Q5O)
1) Mostly because of your education
2) Mostly because of some other reason
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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45) IF Q4P=1, ASK: And would you say that the religion was too strict and conservative about things like abortion and homosexuality, or the religion was too relaxed and liberal about things like abortion and homosexuality? (Q5P)
1) Too strict/conservative on abortion/homosexuality
2) Too relaxed/liberal on abortion/homosexuality
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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46) IF Q4Q=1, ASK: And would you say that the religion was too conservative about things like poverty or social justice, war and peace, and the death penalty, or the religion was too liberal about things like poverty or social justice, war and peace and the death penalty? (Q5Q)
1) Too conservative on poverty, war, death penalty
2) Too liberal on poverty, war, death penalty
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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47) IF Q4R=1, ASK: And would you say that the religion viewed the Bible too literally, or the religion didn't view the Bible literally enough? (Q5R)
1) Viewed Bible too literally
2) Did not view Bible literally enough
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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48) IF Q4S=1, ASK: And would you say that the Church was too strict and conservative about birth control, or the church was too relaxed and liberal about birth control? (Q5S)
1) Too strict and conservative about birth control
2) Too relaxed and liberal about birth control
3) Neither/both equally/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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49) And when you stopped being (FRMREL), would you say it was more because you wanted to leave the (FRMREL) religion or more because you wanted to join another religion? (Q6)
1) More because wanted to leave the religion
2) More because wanted to join another religion
3) Neither/both/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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50) And thinking about the year or two right before you stopped being (FRMREL), about how strong was your religious faith? Was it very strong, somewhat strong, not too strong, or not strong at all? IF FRMREL-UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELIGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And thinking about the year or two right before you started identifying with your first religion, about how strong was your religious faith? Was it very strong, somewhat strong, not too strong, or not strong at all? (Q6B)
1) Very strong
2) Somewhat strong
3) Not too strong
4) Not strong at all
5) Didn't have religious faith (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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51) Now thinking back to when you were a child, that is before you became a teenager, about how often did you attend religious services? Would you say: (READ IN ORDER) (Q7)
1) More than once a week
2) Once a week
3) Once or twice a month
4) A few times a year
5) Seldom
6) Never
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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52) And when you were a child, about how often did you attend religious education classes, including programs like Sunday School (IF RASIED CATHOLIC, INSERT: "or CCD"), or as a part of the curriculum if you attended a religious school? Would you say: (READ IN ORDER) (Q8)
1) Frequently
2) Occasionally
3) Rarely
4) Never
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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53) And as a child, about how strong was your religious faith? Was it very strong, somewhat strong, not too strong, or not strong at all? (Q9)
1) Very strong
2) Somewhat strong
3) Not too strong
4) Not strong at all
5) Didn't have religious faith (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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54) And thinking now about when you were a teenager, roughly between the ages of 13 and 18, about how often did you attend religious services then? Would you say: (READ IN ORDER) (Q10)
1) More than once a week
2) Once a week
3) Once or twice a month
4) A few times a year
5) Seldom, or
6) Never
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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55) IF ATTENDED REGULARLY AS A TEENAGER AND RAISED IN A PARTICULAR RELIGION, ASK: Were the religious services you attended mostly (FRMREL) services, or not? (Q10A)
1) Yes, were
2) NO, were not
3) Services were mixed/interfaith or attended multiple kinds of services (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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56) IF RAISED CATHOLIC, ASK: Did you attend a Catholic high school, or not? (Q10B)
1) Yes
2) No
3) Yes, but only for part of high school (Vol.)
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57) And when you were a teenager, did you participate in any religious youth groups, Bible study groups, prayer groups, or other religious groups for young people? (Q11)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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58) IF PARTICIPATED AND RAISED IN PARTICULAR RELIGION, ASK: Were the group or groups you participated in mostly (FRMREL) groups, or not? (Q11A)
1) Yes, were
2) No, were not
3) Groups were mixed/interfaith or participated in multiple groups (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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59) And as a teenager, about how strong was your religious faith? Was it very strong, somewhat strong, not too strong, or not strong at all? (Q12)
1) Very strong
2) Somewhat strong
3) Not too strong
4) Not strong at all
5) Didn't have religious faith (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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60) And about how strong would you say your religious faith is now? Is it very strong, somewhat strong, not too strong, or not strong at all? (Q13)
1) Very strong
2) Somewhat strong
3) Not too strong
4) Not strong at all
5) Don't have religious faith (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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61) ASK ALL CONVERTS: About how old were you when you became (CURREL)? (Q14)
62) IF DON'T KNOW/REFUSED (Q14=99), ASK: Just thinking in general terms, would you say you were: (READ, IN ORDER) (Q14A)
1) Under the age of 14
2) Between the ages of 13 and 17
3) Between 18 and 23
4) Between 24 and 35
5) Between 36 and 50
6) Between 51 and 65
7) Older than 65
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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63) IF Q14<18 OR Q14A<3, ASK: And would you say that the decision to become (CURREL) was mostly your own decision, or was it mostly decided by your parents of family? (Q15)
1) Mostly own decision
2) Mostly decided by parents or family (SKIP TO Q21)
3) Both/neither (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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64) And just in your own words, what would you say is the main reason that you became (CURREL)? FIRST MENTION (Q16OE_1)
65) And just in your own words, what would you say is the main reason that you became (CURREL)? SECOND MENTION (Q16OE_2)
66) And just in your own words, what would you say is the main reason that you became (CURREL)? THIRD MENTION (Q16OE_3)
13) Atheist/do not believe in God/do not believe in Jesus
19) Previous religion or religion in general not logical/not believable/not rational/not scientific/does not make sense
31) Disagree with papal infallibity/Pope in general
37) Other disagreement with former religion's specific teachings/beliefs/rituals/policies
50) Liked current religion's beliefs about God/because of belief in God or Jesus or higher being/because of faith/found the truth/like teachings of current religion/became closer to God/current religion made sense
80) Biblical or scriptural reason (general)
88) Biblical or scriptural reason (respondent believes in Bible/former religion did not adhere closely enough/current religion adheres more closely)
122) Have own personal religion/spiritual but not religious/have faith but not affiliation /believe but don't go to church
167) Disagree with former religion on birth control (general)
202) Liked something else about current religion's approach to social or political matters
250) Dislike organized religion/Do not believe in organized religion
253) Dislike way former religion is run/leadership/hierarchy/structure
254) Religion causes problems/is bad/is evil/is not good
255) Former religion too much about money, business, a scam
256) Pedophilia scandal/molestation
342) Current religion had fewer rules, less rigid, more freedom
345) Former religion and/or adherents hypocritical, judgmental, intolerant, narrow, exclusive
348) Current religion open, loving, not judgmental, inclusive
370) Liked current religions worship services/practices/prayers/meditations, etc.
373) Just liked current religion/just wanted to go to church/just wanted to join religion/just started going/liked a particular church
382) Dislike of/negative experience with preacher/priest/nun or other religious leader
393) Liked particular pastor/joined because of influence of particular pastor
396) Liked people in religion/in a particular church/people in religion or church were nice or helpful
401) Felt disconnected/uncomfortable/unwelcome
407) Felt connected, comfortable, welcome/good fit/felt right/liked atmosphere
422) Convenience/location/availability/local church/only church in town/no churches available of a particular denomination
430) Invitation/influence/example/outreach of church member, friend, neighbor, or other person
479) Became educated, studious, observant, curious and thus stopped believing/lost faith/changed faith
497) Do not get anything out of religion/have no need for it/got no answers/did not meet needs
500) Not interested in religion/religion unimportant to respondent, irrelevant to respondent
508) Calling from God/led by prayer or revelation/gift of faith from God/spoke to my heart/miracle/spirit moved me
509) Saved/accepted Jesus/born-again/grace /became convicted
520) Marriage/because of spouse
529) Issues with raising children/influence of children
532) Parents' decision/influence of parents
548) Too busy/too lazy/didn't want to waste any more time
555) Just drifted away, stopped going, got away from it, fell away, don't go to church
999) Don't know/refused
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67) Collapsed version of Q16OE_1 (Q16OE_1B)
1) Religious teachings
2) Moral/social teachings
3) Organized religion
4) Religion's rules, rigidity, etc.
5) Particular churches and their leaders/members
6) Spiritual/social connectedness
7) Personal spirituality
8) Marriage and family
9) New circumstances
10) Other reasons
11) Don't know/refused
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68) Collapsed version of Q16OE_2 (Q16OE_2B)
1) Religious teachings
2) Moral/social teachings
3) Organized religion
4) Religion's rules, rigidity, etc.
5) Particular churches and their leaders/members
6) Spiritual/social connectedness
7) Personal spirituality
8) Marriage and family
9) New circumstances
10) Other reasons
12) No answer given
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69) Collapsed version of Q16OE_3 (Q16OE_3B)
1) Religious teachings
2) Moral/social teachings
3) Organized religion
4) Religion's rules, rigidity, etc.
5) Particular churches and their leaders/members
6) Spiritual/social connectedness
7) Personal spirituality
8) Marriage and family
10) Other reasons
12) No answer given
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70) Collapsed version of Q16OE_1B (Q16OE_1C)
1) Religious and moral beliefs
2) Religious institutions, practices and people
3) Personal spirituality
4) Lifecycle changes
5) Other reasons
6) Don't know/refused
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71) Collapsed version of Q16OE_2B (Q16OE_2C)
1) Religious and moral beliefs
2) Religious institutions, practices and people
3) Personal spirituality
4) Lifecycle changes
5) Other reasons
7) No answer given
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72) Collapsed version of Q16OE_3B (Q16OE_3C)
1) Religious and moral beliefs
2) Religious institutions, practices and people
3) Personal spirituality
4) Lifecycle changes
5) Other reasons
7) No answer given
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73) As I read a list of possible reasons, please tell me whether or not each one is an important reason for why you became (CURREL). First what about this… (INSERT; RANDOMIZE; ALWAYS ASK Q18 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING Q17H). Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? What about (INSERT NEXT ITEM). (READ FOR FIRST SEVERAL ITEMS, THEN AS NECESSARY AND AT LEAST EVERY THREE OR FOUR ITEMS AND AFTER READING Q18: Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? You married someone who is (CURREL). (Q17A)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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74) You moved to a new community. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17B)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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75) You became separated or divorced. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17C)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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76) Someone you were close to passed away. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17D)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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77) IF CONVERT NOW AFFILIATED, ASK: You were attracted by a particular minister or pastor. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17E)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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78) IF CONVERT NOW AFFILIATED, ASK: you enjoy the religious services and style of worship. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17F)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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79) IF CONVERT NOW AFFILIATED, ASK: You felt called by God. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17G)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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80) IF CONVERT NOW AFFILIATED, ASK: You were asked to join by a member of the religion. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17H)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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81) IF CONVERT NOW UNAFFILIATED, ASK: You just haven't yet found the right religion for you. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17I)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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82) IF CONVERT NOW UNAFFILIATED, ASK: You just don't believe in God or the teachings of most religions. Is this an important reason you became (CURREL), or not? (Q17J)
1) Yes, important reason
2) No, not important reason
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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83) IF Q17H=1, ASK: And was this a friend or relative of yours, or not? (Q18)
1) Yes, was a friend or relative
2) No, was not a friend or relative
3) Asked by both friends/relatives and other people/other (Vol.)
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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84) IF CONVERT NOW UNAFFILIATED, ASK: As I read a short list of statements, please tell me if you agree or disagree with each one. First, religious organizations tend to focus too much on rules and not enough on spirituality. Do you agree or disagree? (Q19A)
1) Agree
2) Disagree
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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85) IF CONVERT NOW UNAFFILIATED, ASK: Next, many religions are partly true, but no religion is completely true. Do you agree or disagree? (Q19B)
1) Agree
2) Disagree
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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86) IF CONVERT NOW UNAFFILIATED, ASK: Next, religious leaders are more concerned with money and power than with truth and spirituality. Do you agree or disagree? (Q19C)
1) Agree
2) Disagree
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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87) IF CONVERT NOW UNAFFILIATED, ASK: Next, members of religious groups tend to be hypocritical and judgmental rather than sincere and forgiving. Do you agree or disagree? (Q19D)
1) Agree
2) Disagree
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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88) IF CONVERT NOW UNAFFILIATED, ASK: Next, modern science proves that religion is just superstition. Do you agree or disagree? (Q19E)
1) Agree
2) Disagree
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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89) IF Q19A=1, ASK: Is this an important reason that you became (CURREL), or not? (Q20A)
1) Yes, is an important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused
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90) IF Q19B=1, ASK: Is this an important reason that you became (CURREL), or not? (Q20B)
1) Yes, is an important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused
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91) IF Q19C=1, ASK: Is this an important reason that you became (CURREL), or not? (Q20C)
1) Yes, is an important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused
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92) IF Q19D=1, ASK: Is this an important reason that you became (CURREL), or not? (Q20D)
1) Yes, is an important reason
2) No, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused
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93) IF Q19E=1, ASK: Is this an important reason that you became (CURREL), or not? (Q20E)
1) Yes, is an important reason
2) NO, not an important reason
9) Don't know/refused
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94) IF NON-CONVERT: Would you say there was ever a time in your life when you didn't consider yourself (CURREL)? (Q21)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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95) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 1 AND CURREL2 NE 1: And finally, as I read a short list of some different religions and churches, please tell me which, if any, you have ever identified with at any point in your life? Have you ever been Baptist? (Q22A)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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96) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 2 AND CURREL2 NE 2: Have you ever been Methodist? (Q22B)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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97) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 3 AND CURREL2 NE 3: Have you ever been a nondenominational Christian? (Q22C)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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98) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 4 AND CURREL2 NE 4: Have you ever been Lutheran? (Q22D)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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99) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1]: Have you ever been part of any other Protestant church or denomination I haven't mentioned? (Q22E)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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100) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 10000 AND CURREL2 NE 10000: Have you ever been Catholic? (Q22F)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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101) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 20000 AND CURREL2 NE 20000: Have you ever been Mormon? (Q22G)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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102) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 50000 AND CURREL2 NE 50000: Have you ever been Jewish? (Q22H)
1) Yes
2) No
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103) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 100003 AND CURREL2 NE 100003: Have you ever been just nothing in particular? (Q22H2)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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104) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 100001 AND CURREL2 NE 100001: Have you ever been an atheist? (Q22I)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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105) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1] AND FRMREL2 NE 100002 AND CURREL2 NE 100002: Have you ever been an agnostic? (Q22J)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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106) ASK IF [CONVERT (CON11=1) OR Q21=1]: Have you ever been a part of any other religion I haven't mentioned? (Q22L)
1) Yes
2) No
9) Don't know/refused (Vol.)
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