The ANES Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior

School Prayer (2), 4 point scale 1986-1998

  '86 '88 '90 '92 '94 '96 '98
No Prayer in School 12
(265)		 11
(188)		 14
(135)		 11
(231)		 10
(184)		 12
(175)		 16
(199)
Silent Prayer Allowed 48
(1050)		 52
(916)		 48
(477)		 49
(1008)		 54
(951)		 55
(830)		 50
(640)
'General' Prayer Allowed 25
(542)		 25
(438)		 26
(253)		 27
(549)		 23
(414)		 21
(317)		 24
(306)
Christian Prayer Required 11
(228)		 10
(174)		 10
(102)		 10
(209)		 10
(171)		 10
(148)		 8
(98)
Don't Know, Other 4
(81)		 3
(51)		 2
(22)		 3
(60)		 3
(51)		 2
(30)		 3
(35)
N 2166 1767 989 2057 1771 1500 1278

Percentage Within Study Year
Table 4C.3b.

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Question Text:

"Which of the following views comes closest to your opinion on the issue of school prayer?" (RESPONDENT BOOKLET SHOWN TO R)
1. By law, prayer should not be allowed in public schools.
2. The law should allow public schools to schedule time when children can pray silently if they want to.
3. The law should allow public schools to schedule time when children as a group can say a general prayer not tied to a particular religious faith.
4. By law, public schools should schedule a time when when all children would say a chosen Christian prayer.

Percent among demographic groups who responded:

No Prayer in School
Silent Prayer Allowed
'General' Prayr Allowed
Christian Prayer Required

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