Portraits of American Life Study
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The PALS seeks to understand the impact of religion in everyday life, and ultimately the connections between religious change and other forms of change among diverse individuals and families over the course of their lives.
Results & Summaries

Congregational Affiliation

  All frequencies weighted by PAWT2


Are you currently involved in, affiliated with, or a member of a religious congregation or other place of worship? By congregation, I mean a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship. (CA_1)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know00
1) Yes119145.6
2) No141854.4
TOTAL2609100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[IF CA_1=1, DK/RF, SKIP TO CA_3.] In the last three years have you been involved in, affiliated with, or a member of a religious congregation or other place of worship? (CA_2)
TOTAL%
1) Yes17912.6
2) No123987.4
Missing1191 
TOTAL1418100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[IF CA_2=2, DK/RF, SKIP TO RI_1.] Are you involved in, attending, or a member of one congregation or two or more congregations? (CA_3)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know1.1
1) One only103486.7
2) Two or more15713.2
Missing1419 
TOTAL1192100.0
[ Analyze results ]
Are you an official member of this religious congregation? (CA_7)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know7.5
1) Yes99967.4
2) No42728.8
3) Congregation doesn't have formal membership362.4
4) Was in the past, but not now13.9
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[IF CA_7=2, 4, DK/RF, SKIP TO RI_1] What year were you first involved in or a member of this congregation? (CA_8)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused1.1
-4) Don't know322.2
1943) 19431.1
1949) Before 1950422.8
1950) 19508.5
1951) 19511.1
1954) 1950-1954211.4
1959) 1955-1959231.6
1960) 19601.1
1963) 196300
1964) 1960-1964281.9
1965) 19657.5
1966) 19666.4
1967) 196711.7
1968) 196813.9
1969) 196910.7
1970) 197012.8
1971) 19713.2
1972) 197210.7
1973) 19739.6
1974) 197411.7
1975) 1975161.1
1976) 1976151
1977) 19777.5
1978) 197810.7
1979) 197914.9
1980) 1980332.2
1981) 19818.5
1982) 198211.7
1983) 1983231.6
1984) 198412.8
1985) 1985221.5
1986) 1986281.9
1987) 1987201.3
1988) 1988221.5
1989) 1989231.6
1990) 1990453
1991) 1991241.6
1992) 1992231.6
1993) 1993332.2
1994) 1994302
1995) 1995453
1996) 1996402.7
1997) 1997281.9
1998) 1998563.8
1999) 1999513.4
2000) 2000946.3
2001) 2001563.8
2002) 2002805.4
2003) 2003956.4
2004) 2004926.2
2005) 20051167.8
2006) 2006614.1
Missing1128 
TOTAL1483100.0
 
[FOR CA_12-CA_14, IF CA_2=1 USE PAST TENSE VERSION. ELSE USE PRESENT TENSE OF VERBS.] Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current primary congregation. My congregation feels/felt like family to me. (CA_12)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know5.3
1) Strongly agree68246
2) Somewhat agree46831.6
3) Neither agree nor disagree18412.4
4) Somewhat disagree865.8
5) Strongly disagree563.8
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[FOR CA_12-CA_14, IF CA_2=1 USE PAST TENSE VERSION. ELSE USE PRESENT TENSE OF VERBS.] Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current primary congregation. My congregation meets/met my spiritual needs. (CA_13)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know5.3
1) Strongly agree76351.5
2) Somewhat agree47932.3
3) Neither agree nor disagree1137.6
4) Somewhat disagree815.5
5) Strongly disagree412.8
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[FOR CA_12-CA_14, IF CA_2=1 USE PAST TENSE VERSION. ELSE USE PRESENT TENSE OF VERBS.] Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current primary congregation. I feel/felt like an outsider in my congregation. (CA_14)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know12.8
1) Strongly agree594
2) Somewhat agree1238.3
3) Neither agree nor disagree1339
4) Somewhat disagree22515.2
5) Strongly disagree92962.7
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? Sermons, preaching, or homilies (CA_15)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused1.1
-4) Don't know13.9
1) Very satisfied86058
2) Somewhat satisfied44329.9
3) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied745
4) Somewhat dissatisfied583.9
5) Very dissatisfied191.3
6) Not applicable14.9
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? The music at worship services (CA_16)
TOTAL%
-4) -411.7
1) Very satisfied83556.4
2) Somewhat satisfied40027
3) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied1067.2
4) Somewhat dissatisfied634.3
5) Very dissatisfied322.2
6) Not applicable332.2
Missing1128 
TOTAL1480100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? Community outreach or service ministries (CA_17)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know332.2
1) Very satisfied69346.8
2) Somewhat satisfied44530
3) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied18512.5
4) Somewhat dissatisfied533.6
5) Very dissatisfied342.3
6) Not applicable382.6
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? Religious education classes for adults, such as Sunday, Church, or Sabbath school, Bible class, Quran class, etc. (CA_18)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know362.4
1) Very satisfied72248.7
2) Somewhat satisfied37425.2
3) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied17711.9
4) Somewhat dissatisfied392.6
5) Very dissatisfied12.8
6) Not applicable1228.2
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? The children's programs or youth groups (CA_19)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know362.4
1) Very satisfied72949.2
2) Somewhat satisfied33622.7
3) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied15310.3
4) Somewhat dissatisfied604
5) Very dissatisfied302
6) Not applicable1399.4
Missing1128 
TOTAL1483100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? How money is handled or spent (CA_20)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know483.2
1) Very satisfied64843.7
2) Somewhat satisfied35023.6
3) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied25116.9
4) Somewhat dissatisfied674.5
5) Very dissatisfied362.4
6) Not applicable825.5
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? How major decisions are made (CA_21)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know342.5
1) Very satisfied51737.7
2) Somewhat satisfied44332.3
3) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied21916
4) Somewhat dissatisfied674.9
5) Very dissatisfied443.2
6) Not applicable463.4
Missing1239 
TOTAL1370100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[DEFINE LEADER FILL: IF CI_1= 1, USE "pastor" 2, USE "imam" 3, USE "rabbi" 4, USE "priest". ELSE, USE "primary religious leader", if CI_1_1=1 and CI_4=1, USE "priest".] How close do/did you feel to the primary religious leader at your congregation? (CA_22)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused2.1
-4) Don't know8.6
1) Extremely close20314.8
2) Very close30021.9
3) Quite close21515.7
4) A little close34725.3
5) Not at all close29521.5
Missing1239 
TOTAL1370100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[DEFINE LEADER FILL: IF CI_1= 1, USE "pastor" 2, USE "imam" 3, USE "rabbi" 4, USE "priest". ELSE, USE "primary religious leader", if CI_1_1=1 and CI_4=1, USE "priest".] How much respect do/did you have for the head religious leader? (CA_23)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused2.1
-4) Don't know13.9
1) A great deal93268
2) A good bit29621.6
3) A little1108
4) None at all171.2
Missing1239 
TOTAL1370100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[DEFINE LEADER FILL: IF CI_1= 1, USE "pastor" 2, USE "imam" 3, USE "rabbi" 4, USE "priest". ELSE, USE "primary religious leader", if CI_1_1=1 and CI_4=1, USE "priest".] How often do/did you talk with the religious leader at your congregation, not including just saying "hello" after worship services? (CA_24)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused2.1
-4) Don't know6.4
1) Every day201.5
2) Two or three times a week1299.4
3) Once a week17012.4
4) Two or three times a month14910.9
5) Once a month21015.3
6) A few times a year38227.9
7) Never30222
Missing1239 
TOTAL1370100.0
[ Analyze results ]
Think about any help or assistance that you have received from the congregation leader, staff, or other leaders, or committees or boards at your congregation. Would you say you received a personal visit or counseling . . . (CA_25_S)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know151
1) Never76951.9
2) Once or twice22815.4
3) Three to four times1439.7
4) Five to nine times1479.9
5) About once a month614.1
6) More than once a month1188
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
Think about any help or assistance that you have received from the congregation leader, staff, or other leaders, or committees or boards at your congregation. Would you say you received financial help or help finding a job . . . (CA_26_S)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused2.1
-4) Don't know13.9
1) Never131288.4
2) Once or twice845.7
3) Three to four times201.3
4) Five to nine times402.7
5) About once a month4.3
6) More than once a month9.6
Missing1128 
TOTAL1484100.0
[ Analyze results ]
In the last three years, about how many times, if any, have you received other kinds of help or assistance from your primary religious leaders, or committees or boards at your congregation? (CA_27_S)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused2.1
-4) Don't know13.9
1) Never105471.1
2) Once or twice1248.4
3) Three to four times966.5
4) Five to nine times956.4
5) About once a month352.4
6) More than once a month644.3
Missing1128 
TOTAL1483100.0
[ Analyze results ]
In the past three years, have you held a leadership position in your congregation such as teacher, elder, deacon, small group or youth group leader, worship leader, or choir director? (CA_28)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know5.3
1) Yes31020.9
2) No116678.7
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
In the past three years, have you served on committees or boards at your congregation? (CA_29)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know5.3
1) Yes29519.9
2) No118279.8
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
In the past three years, have you organized events or groups at your congregation? (CA_30)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know5.3
1) Yes30720.7
2) No117078.9
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[ASK CA_31 IF CA_28=1 OR CA_29=1 OR IF CA_30=1, ELSE SKIP TO CA_34.] In a typical month does your work at your congregation in leadership positions, organizing events, or serving on committees take up more than one hour of your time? (CA_31)
TOTAL%
1) Yes33868.6
2) No15531.4
Missing2117 
TOTAL493100.0
[ Analyze results ]
About how many hours per week on average does this work at your congregation take up? (CA_32)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know3.6
0) 06713.6
1) 112525.4
2) 212124.6
3) 37615.4
4) 4346.9
5) 5173.5
10) 6-10326.5
15) 11-1561.2
20) 16 or more112.2
Missing2118 
TOTAL492100.0
 
Have you done any other volunteer work for your congregation? (CA_32A)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know5.3
1) Yes55537.5
2) No92162.2
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[IF CA_32a=1, ASK CA_32b] In the last year, about how many hours did you spend on other volunteer work? (CA_32B)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know61.1
0) 06311.4
1) 191.6
2) 2305.4
3) 3224
4) 4183.3
5) 5346.1
10) 6-1010919.7
15) 11-15356.3
20) 16-20549.8
25) 21-25193.4
30) 26-30101.8
40) 31-40417.4
50) 41-50122.2
60) 51-60152.7
80) 61-80234.2
100) More than 80539.6
Missing2055 
TOTAL553100.0
 
In the past three years, not including attending worship services, how often have you participated in activities, groups, or organizations of this congregations? Such as social gatherings, choir, small groups or prayer meetings, outreach or social service groups, etc.? (CA_33)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know12.8
1) Never38626.1
2) A few times a year52935.7
3) About once a month17812
4) More than once a month1399.4
5) About once a week1278.6
6) More than once a week1047
7) About once a day4.3
8) More than once a day2.1
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
Thinking about you activities and service at your congregation over the past three years, how often have you felt burned out or overextended? (CA_34)
TOTAL%
1) Not at all50266.9
2) Sometimes21929.2
3) Often131.7
4) Very often152
5) All the time1.1
Missing1860 
TOTAL750100.0
[ Analyze results ]
How often do you feel you are appreciated by the leaders or people of your congregation for the work and activities that you do at your congregation? (CA_35)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused1.1
-4) Don't know4.5
1) Not at all425.6
2) Sometimes16221.7
3) Often17623.5
4) Very often13918.6
5) All the time22429.9
Missing1860 
TOTAL748100.0
[ Analyze results ]
In the last three years, how often have you heard sermons or participated in meetings about racial justice, poverty, or other social justice issues? (CA_36)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know251.7
1) More than once a week292
2) Once a week734.9
3) Once a month18012.1
4) A few times a year46231.2
5) Once a year1268.5
6) Less than once a year1157.8
7) Never47231.8
Missing1128 
TOTAL1482100.0
[ Analyze results ]
Are/were you aware of any arguments in your congregation between people who wanted to preserve its traditional beliefs and people who want to adopt new or contemporary beliefs? (CA_37)
TOTAL%
-7) Refused3.2
-4) Don't know6.4
1) Yes45130.5
2) No102168.9
Missing1128 
TOTAL1481100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[If CA_37=2, DK/RF, SKIP TO CA_39] Do you tend to side with the traditional or with the contemporary point of view, or do you usually not take sides? (CA_38)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know51.1
1) Traditional11425.3
2) Contemporary11325.1
3) Don't take sides21948.6
Missing2159 
TOTAL451100.0
[ Analyze results ]
[ASK CA_39 IF CA_3=2, ELSE SKIP TO RI_1] Now thinking about the congregation you have attended second most often in the past three years, is that the same type of congregation you mentioned earlier (CI_1)? (CA_39)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know1.5
1) Yes15979.9
2) No3919.6
Missing2410 
TOTAL199100.0
[ Analyze results ]
Do you currently take part in any of the activities, groups, or organizations at this congregation, not including attending worship services? (CA_41)
TOTAL%
-4) Don't know1.5
1) Yes6532.5
2) No13467
Missing2410 
TOTAL200100.0
[ Analyze results ]
Instructions
View each question on our survey and how our respondents answered to the left.

To perform an auto-analysis of how an item relates to key demographics such as gender, education, church attendance and more, click on the "Analyze results" link below a variable.
Modules
Click on a link to jump to a topic module. Move the mouse over links to see short descriptions.

Household Roster
Current Living Arrangement
Race/Ethnicity
Race Ethnicity (ACASI)
Housing Choice
Work/Job
Sensation-Seeking
Social Activities
Congregational Identity
Congregational Affiliation
Religious Identification
Centrality and Salience of Religious Identity
Networks and Network Density
Intergroup Contact
Political Participation
Volunteering and Informal Helping
Moral/Political Attitudes
Moral and Political Attitudes (ACASI)
Religion - Importance
Religious Guidance/Religious Authority
Religious Guidance and Religious Authority (ACASI)
Relationship Behaviors (ACASI)
Relationship Quality (ACASI)
Deviance (ACASI)
Religious Beliefs (ACASI)
Religious Attendance (ACASI)
Spiritual Experiences
Health
Demographics
Generated Variables
Appended and Other Variables

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