Middle Tennessee Poll Spring 2000

Questions, Frequencies and Percentages

 

NOTE: Not all respondents answered every question; some questions were

asked only of random subsamples of respondents. For most purposes,

the "Valid Percent" it the relevant percentage because it excludes all

who didn't answer but includes all “Don't know” and “Refused.”

 

 

First, tell me in your own words: What do you think is the

number one problem confronting the state of Tennessee at

this time?

 

 

                                                                     Valid     Cum

Value Label                                Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Government inefficiency and

waste                                        1        55       12       14       14

Government corruption                        2        24        5        6       21

The poor state of education                  3        73       16       19       40

The poor state of health

services and health insurance                4        48       10       13       53

High taxes                                   5        63       13       17       70

Outdated or unfair tax system                6        12        3        3       73

Traffic congestions and road

construction                                 7        25        5        7       80

State budget crisis                          8        19        4        5       85

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                               33        58       12       16      100

                                                      .        93       20   Missing

                                                  -------  -------  -------

                                      Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     377      Missing cases     93

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Don Sundquist is

handling his job as governor?

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Approve                       1       123       26       34       34

Disapprove                    2       175       37       49       83

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                33        61       13       17      100

                                .     108       23   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                27         3        1   Missing

                                      -------  -------  -------

                           Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     359      Missing cases    111

 

 

 

Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Democratic

leaders in the Tennessee State Legislature are doing?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Approve                       1       164       35       46       46

Disapprove                    2        97       21       27       73

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered         33        96       21       27      100

                                 .    108       23   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered                 27         4        1   Missing

                                      -------  -------  -------

                           Total      470      100      100

 

Valid cases     358      Missing cases    113

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Bill Purcell has

done as mayor of Nashville?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Approve                           1       181       39       51       51

Disapprove                        2        25        5        7       58

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                    33       147       31       42      100

                                  .       108       23   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                    27         8        2   Missing

                                        -------  -------  -------

                             Total        470      100      100

 

Valid cases     354      Missing cases    117

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

In the last several years, the Middle Tennessee region

has undergone a great deal of change, including economic

and population growth. Some people believe this is good,

while others think it is bad. As a whole, do you feel

that recent changes have made living in Middle Tennessee

better, about the same, or worse?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Better                        1       214       46       46       46

Same                          2       135       29       29       75

Worse                         3        86       18       18       93

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)        33        32        7        7      100

Refused/not applicable

 (volunteered)               27         3        1   Missing

                                      -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     467      Missing cases      3

 

 

 

Do you think these changes in Middle Tennessee have

made life in you own neighborhood better, about the

same, or worse?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Better                         1       133       28       28       28

Same                           2       217       46       46       75

Worse                          3        98         21       21       96

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)         33        20        4        4      100

Refused/not applicable

 (volunteered)                27         2        1   Missing

                                       -------  -------  -------

                           Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

Do you believe that government and business in Middle

Tennessee should work to see that growth is increased,

decreased, or should it stay the same?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Decrease growth              1        48       10       10       10

Stay same                    2       133       28       28       39

Increase growth              3       255       54       55       93

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)       33        32        7        7      100

Refused                     27         3        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                         Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     467      Missing cases      3

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Some people feel that new growth in Middle Tennessee pays

for itself. Others believe that growth costs more money than

it brings in. Still others think it is a break-even

proposition. Do you think growth costs money, is a break-

even proposition, or brings in money?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Costs money                   1       152       32       33       33

Breaks even                   2        94       20       20       53

Brings in Money               3       199       42       43       95

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)        33        22        5        5      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                27         2        0   Missing

                                       -------  -------  -------

                          Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

Now let's consider some major institutions in Middle

Tennessee. As far as the people running *state government*

are concerned, would you say you have a great deal of

confidence in them, only some confidence in them, or hardly

any confidence at all in them ... a great deal, only some,

or hardly any?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Great deal                    1        48       10       10       10

Only some                     2       264       56      56       67

Hardly any                    3       128       27      27       94

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)        33        28        6        6      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                27         3        1   Missing

                                      -------  -------  -------

                          Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     467      Missing cases      3

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

How about the government of Metropolitan Nashville/Davidson

County?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

A Great deal                     1        64       14       14       14

Only some                        2       161       34       36       50

Hardly any                       3        70       15       16       65

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)           33       156       33       35      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                   27        19        4   Missing

                                        -------  -------  -------

                             Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     451      Missing cases     19

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

How about law enforcement officials

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

A Great deal                       1       162       34       35       35

Only some                          2       183       39       39       74

Hardly any                         3        92       20       20       94

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered )            33        30        6        6      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                     27         3        1   Missing

                                          -------  -------  -------

                               Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     467      Missing cases      3

 

 

 

Now let's talk about Tennessee's financial situation.

 

Do you believe that the state of Tennessee is facing a

financial crisis, or not?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes, it is                   1       214        45        46       46

No, it isn't                 2       218        46        46       92

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered )      33        38         8          8      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)               27         1         0           Missing

                                   -------  -------  -------

                        Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     469      Missing cases      1

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

There have been several suggestions made about how Tennessee

could raise more money. We would like to ask you how you

feel about some of these options.

 

In general, would you strongly favor ...favor ... oppose ...

or strongly oppose establishing a state personal income tax,

or aren't you sure?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor              1         20         4       4          4

Favor                       2         66       14       14         18

Unsure                      3         57       12       12         30

Oppose                      4        161       34       34         65

Strongly oppose             5        144       31       31         96

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)      33        21         5        5        100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)              27         1          0        Missing

                                   -------   -------      -------

                       Total        470      100          100

 

Valid cases     469      Missing cases      1

 

 

Governor Sundquist has proposed a plan that would levy a

three and three quarter percent flat tax on income, reduce

the state sales tax from 6 percent to three and three

quarter percent, and eliminate the sales tax on food.  Do

you strongly favor...favor...oppose....or strongly oppose

that plan, or aren't you sure?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor              1          66      14       14       14

Favor                       2         107      23       23       37

Unsure                      3          58      12       12       49

Oppose                      4         108      23       23       72

Strongly oppose             5          97      21       21       93

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)      33          32       7       7       100

Refused/not applicable

 (volunteered)             27           2        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                          Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Do you think you would pay more in taxes, pay less in taxes,

or pay about the same amount in taxes under the governor's

plan?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Pay more                      1       275       59       59         59

Pay less                      2        45       10       10         69

About the same                3       103       22       22         91

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)        33        44        9       10        100

Refused/not applicable

 (volunteered)               27         2        0   Missing

                                      -------  -------  -------

                          Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

Would you strongly favor ... favor ... oppose ... or

strongly oppose a state personal income tax if there were a

constitutional amendment that required a 60% vote in the

General Assembly in order to raise your tax rate, or aren't

you sure about that?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor              1        39          8        8         8

Favor                       2        63         14       14        22

Unsure                      3        89         19       19        41

Oppose                      4        10         23       23        64

Strongly oppose             5       104         22       22        86

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)      33        65         14       14       100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)              27         3         1      Missing

                                    -------  -------  -------

                        Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     467      Missing cases      3

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

There are some alternatives to the governor's plan. As I describe

each one, could you please tell me how you feel about it.

 

An alternative to the Governor's proposal is a graduated

income tax of up to 5 percent, depending on one's income.

The sales tax on food would be eliminated. Do you strongly

favor...favor...oppose....or strongly oppose this plan, or

aren't you sure?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor              1        45        10        10         10

Favor                       2       119        25        25         35

Unsure                      3        52        11        11         46

Oppose                      4       122        26        26         72

Strongly oppose             5       102        22        22         94

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)       33        29       6         6         100

Refused/not a pplicable

(volunteered)               27        1         0   Missing

                                 -------  -------  -------

                        Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     469      Missing cases      1

 

 

Another alternative is to apply a 1% sales tax to products

and services that aren't currently taxed, like doctor's

fees, lawyer's fees, beauty salon services, and prescription

drugs.  Do you strongly favor...favor...oppose....or

strongly oppose this plan, or aren't you sure?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor               1        24         5         5         5

Favor                        2        57        12        12        17

Unsure                       3        29                   6        24

Oppose                       4       176        38        38        61

Strongly oppose              5       158        34        34        95

Don't know/no

opinion (volunteered)       33        23        5          5       100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)               27         2        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                     Total           470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Yet another alternative is a tax on cars of $60 to $70 per

year.  Do you strongly favor... favor... oppose....or

strongly oppose this plan, or aren't you sure?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor                1       13         3        3         3

Favor                         2       77        16       17        19

Unsure                        3                  6        6        25

Oppose                        4      176        38       38        63

Strongly oppose               5      157        33       33        96

Don't know/no

 opinion (volunteered)       33       19         4        4       100

Refused/not applicable

 (volunteered)               27        1         0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                   Total             470      100      100

 

Valid cases     469      Missing cases      1

 

 

What about additional spending to raise the salaries of

Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers by 3%.   Do you

strongly favor... favor... oppose....or strongly oppose this

plan, or aren't you sure?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor               1        212        45       45        45

Favor                        2        169        36       36        81

Unsure                       3         18         4        4        85

Oppose                       4         39         8        8        93

Strongly oppose              5         12         3        3        96

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)          33         19         4       4        100

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)          27          1         0    Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                     Total            470      100      100

 

Valid cases     469      Missing cases      1

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

What about additional spending to expand early childhood

education to reach more at-risk pre-school children.  Do you

strongly favor... favor... oppose....or strongly oppose this

plan, or aren't you sure?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor               1      159         34        34       34

Favor                        2      156         33        33       67

Unsure                       3       35          7         7       75

Oppose                       4       66         14        14       89

Strongly oppose              5       23          5         5       94

Don't know/No opinion

 (volunteered only)         33       29          6         6      100

Not applicable/Refused

 (volunteered only )        27        2          1   Missing

                           -------  -------  -------

               Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

What about additional spending to do more testing in English

and math classes to be sure that students master these

subjects before they receive credit.  Do you strongly

favor... favor... oppose....or strongly oppose this plan, or

aren't you sure?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor                  1       146       31       31       31

Favor                           2       147       31       31       63

Unsure                          3        35        7        7       70

Oppose                          4        91       19       19       89

Strongly oppose                 5        28        6        6       95

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only              33        22        5        5      100

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only              27         2        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

What about additional spending to raise the salaries of

state government employees by 3%.   Do you strongly favor...

favor... oppose....or strongly oppose this plan, or aren't

you sure?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor                  1        34        7        7        7

Favor                           2       107       23       23       30

Unsure                          3        48       10       10       40

Oppose                          4       136       29       29       69

Strongly oppose                 5       112       24       24       93

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)b            33        32        7        7      100

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         1        0   Missing

                                       -------  -------  -------

                 Total                  470      100      100

 

Valid cases     469      Missing cases      1

 

 

What about additional spending for the court system, to

enforce child support, to pay prison costs, and to train

troopers.  Do you strongly favor... favor... oppose....or

strongly oppose this plan, or aren't you sure?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor                  1        93       20       20       20

Favor                           2       161       34       35       55

Unsure                          3        57       12       12       67

Oppose                          4        96       20       21       88

Strongly oppose                 5        24        5        5       93

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        34        7        7      100

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only              27         6        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                  Total                 470      100      100

 

Valid cases     465      Missing cases      6

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

What about increasing state spending for TennCare, the state

health care program, by about 9%.  Do you strongly favor...

favor... oppose....or strongly oppose this plan, or aren't

you sure?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Strongly favor                  1        77       16       16       16

Favor                           2       102       22       22       38

Unsure                          3        57       12       12       51

Oppose                          4       103       22       22       73

Strongly Oppose

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        36        8        8      100

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         3        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     467      Missing cases      3

 

If you had to choose between raising taxes and cutting

programs to balance Tennessee's budget, which would you do?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Raise taxes                     1       154       33       33       33

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33       100       21       22      100

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27        11        2   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     460      Missing cases     11

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Raising teacher salaries by 3% will cost $47 million.  Does

this make you more likely to support the proposal, less

likely to support the proposal, or doesn't it make a

difference?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

More likely                     1       119       25       32       32

Less likely                     2        54       11       14       46

No difference                   3       178       38       48       94

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        23        5        6      100

                                .        96       20   Missing

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         1        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     373      Missing cases     97

 

 

Expanding the early childhood education program would cost

$12 million.  Does this make you more likely to support the

proposal, less likely to support the proposal, or doesn't it

make a difference?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

More likely                     1       103       22       28       28

Less likely                     2        67       14       18       45

No difference                   3       178       38       48       93

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        26        6        7      100

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         1        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     373      Missing cases     97

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Additional testing in English and math would cost $6.5

million.    Does this make you more likely to support the

proposal, less likely to support the proposal, or doesn't it

make a difference?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

More likely                     1        86       18       23       23

Less likely                     2        88       19       24       47

No difference                   3       176       37       47       94

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        24        5        6      100

                                .        96       20   Missing

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         1        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     373      Missing cases     97

 

 

Raising the salaries of state government employees will cost

about $25 million.  Does this make you more likely to

support the proposal, less likely to support the proposal,

or doesn't it make a difference?

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

More likely                     1        39        8       11       11

Less likely                     2       157       33       42       53

No difference                   3       148       32       40       93

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        28        6        8      100

                                .        96       20   Missing

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         2        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     372      Missing cases     98

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Additional spending in these areas would amount to $25

million.  Does this make you more likely to support the

proposal, less likely to support the proposal, or doesn't it

make a difference?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

More likely                     1        61       13       17       17

Less likely                     2       112       24       30       47

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        29        6        8      100

                                .        96       20   Missing

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         6        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     368      Missing cases    102

 

 

 

This additional spending on health care will amount to $132

million.  Does this make you more likely to support the

proposal, less likely to support the proposal, or doesn't it

make a difference?

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

More likely                     1        63       13       17       17

Less likely                     2       128       27       35       51

No difference                   3       148       32       40       91

Don't know/No opinion

(volunteered only)             33        33        7        9      100

                                .        96       20   Missing

Not applicable/Refused

(volunteered only)             27         2        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     372      Missing cases     98

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

Are you in favor of the death penalty for a person

convicted of murder?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

No                              1        20        4       18       18

Yes                             2        72       15       67       86

Don't know                     33        15        3       15      100

                                .       362       77   Missing

Refused                        27         1        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     107      Missing cases    363

 

 

 

 

What do you think should be the maximum penalty for murder--

the death penalty, life imprisonment with absolutely no

possibility of parole, or some lesser sentence?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Death penalty                  1       241       51       67       67

Life imprisonment              2        99       21       27       94

Some lesser sentence           3         2        1        1       95

Some other punishment

(volunteered only)             4         2        1        1       95

Some other punishment

(volunteered only)

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                 33        17        4        5      100

                                .       108       23   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                 27         1        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     361      Missing cases    109

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

How likely do you think it is that an innocent person could

be executed in Tennessee? Not at all likely, somewhat

likely, or very likely?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Not at all likely              1      115       24       24       24

Somewhat likely                2      242       51       51       76

Very likely                    3      100       21       21       97

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                 33       14        3        3      100

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     470      Missing cases      0

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

The governor of Illinois has suspended the use of the death

penalty to study its use in that state because so many death

row inmates have been proven innocent. Do you favor a

similar suspension in Tennessee?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Yes                             1       219       47       47       47

No                              2       204       43       44       90

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                  33        45       10       10      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                  27         3        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      3

 

 

 

Which of the following comes closest to describing your

beliefs: you are religious, you are spiritual but not

religious, or you are neither?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Spiritual but not

religious                     2        117       25       32       91

Neither                       3         24        5        7       98

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                33          7        2        2      100

                                .      108       23   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                27          2        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     360      Missing cases    110

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Which of the following statements comes closest to your

belief about God: you believe in God, you don't believe in

God, but you do believe in a universal spirit or higher

power, or you don't believe in either?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

God                             1       320       68       89       89

Don't believe in God,

but in universal spirit         2        24        5        7       96

Don't believe in either         3        12        3        3       99

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                  33         2        1        1      100

                                .       108       23   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                  27         3        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     359      Missing cases    111

 

 

 

At the present time, do you think religion as a whole is

increasing its influence on American life or losing its

influence?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Increasing its influence1    127       27       35       35

Losing its influence2        197       42       55       90

Same (volunteered)             3        19       4        5       95

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                 33        17       4        5      100

                               .       108       23   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                 27         2        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     360      Missing cases    110

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

How important would you say religion is in your own life -

very important, fairly important, or not very important?

 

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Not very important1           60       13       13       13

Fairly important               2       112       24      24       37

Very important                 3       293       62      63       99

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                 33         3        1       1      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                 27         2        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Do you happen to be a member of a place of worship, like a

church, synagogue, mosque, or temple?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Yes                             1       326       69       70       70

No                              2       139       30       30       99

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                  33         3        1        1      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                  27         2        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

 

How often do you attend services at a place of worship -

never, seldom, about once a month, almost every week, or at

least once a week?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Never                           1        36        8        8        8

Seldom                          2       128       27       28       35

About once a month              3        60       13       13       48

Almost every week               4        90       19       19       67

At lease once a week5         150        32       32      100

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                  33         2        1        1      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                  27         4        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     466      Missing cases      4

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Do you mostly attend a place of worship that is Christian,

Jewish, Islamic, or something else?

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Christian                       1       403       86       94       94

Jewish                          2         4        1        1       95

Something else                  4        18        4        4       99

                               33         5        1        1      100

                                .        36        8   Missing

                               27         4        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     430      Missing cases     40

 

 

 

 

What is your church's denomination?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Southern Baptists               1        97       21       24       24

Other Baptist                   2        57       12       14       39

Church of Christ                3        50       11       13       51

Episcopal                       4        13        3        3       54

Lutheran                        5         9        2        2       57

United Methodist                6        50       11       13       69

Other Methodist                 7         4        1        1       70

Presbyterian                    8        22        5        5       76

Roman Cahtolic                  9        24        5        6       82

Other Christian                10        64       14       16       98

Something else

33 Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)                  33         9        2        2      100

                                .        67       14   Missing

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                  27         3        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     400      Missing cases     71

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Would you describe yourself as a "Christian," or not?

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Yes                             1       391       83       84       84

No                              2        66       14       14       98

Don't know                     33        11        2        2      100

Refused/not applicable

(volunteered)                  27         2        0   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     468      Missing cases      2

 

 

 

Would you describe yourself as a "born again" Christian, or

not?

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Yes                             1       223       47       57       57

No                              2       150       32       38       95

Don't know/no opinion

(volunteered)33                18        4        5      100

                                .        79       17   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     391      Missing cases     79

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Would you describe yourself as an "Evangelical" Christian,

or not? [PRONOUNCED: ee-van-JELL-i-cal]

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Yes                             1       101       21       26       26

No                              2       224       48       58       84

Don't know                     33        63       13       16      100

                                .        79       17   Missing

Refused                        27         4        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     387      Missing cases     83

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Would you describe yourself as a "Fundamentalist" Christian,

or not? [PRONOUNCED: fun-duh-MEN-tal-ist]

 

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Yes                             1       124       26       32       32

No                              2       196       42       51       83

Don't know                     33        67       14       17      100

                                .        79       17   Missing

Refused                        27         4        1   Missing

                                     -------  -------  -------

                            Total       470      100      100

 

Valid cases     387      Missing cases     83

 

 

 

About how often do you pray? Do you pray *less than* once a

week, once a week, several times a week, once a day, several

times a day, or do you never pray?

 

                                                        Valid     Cum

Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

 

Never                           1        23        5        5        5

Less than weekly                2        41        9        9       14

Once a week                     3        42        9        9       23

Several times weekly            4        90       19       19       42

Once a day                      5       111       24       24       66

Several times a day             6       156       33       34       99

Don't know                     33         4        1        1