Page "Religion in the United States" Paragraph 2

Despite a high level of religious adherence, only 9 % of Americans in a 2008 poll said religion was the most important thing in their life, compared with 45 % who said family was paramount in their life and 17 % who said money and career was paramount.

Mark Chaves, a Duke University professor of sociology, religion and divinity, found that 92 % of Americans believed in God in 2008 but that they have significantly less confidence in their religious leaders than they did a generation ago.

Polls have also shown that doubts about the existence of a god have grown rapidly among younger Americans.