Americans' attitudes toward the Catholic religion were quite positive in March 2000, but became significantly more negative in April 2002. Now, views have recovered but still are not as positive as at the beginning of the decade. 

Fifty-seven percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the Catholic religion; 30% have an unfavorable opinion.  There is a major distinction in views of the Catholic religion between those who identify with a Christian religion and those who do not

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New Hampshire and Vermont have lowest reported church attendance in nation.  A special Gallup Poll analysis of more than 68,000 interviews conducted over the past two years shows that reported church attendance is highest in the Southern states, in Utah, and in certain Midwestern states, while church attendance is lowest in the New England states, Nevada, and other Western states.

While nearly half of the adult population attends religious services during a typical week, people’s conceptual bond to the local church remains tenuous.

• Fewer than one out of every five adults firmly believes that a congregational church is a critical element in their spiritual growth and just as few strongly contend that participation in some type of community of faith is required for them to achieve their full potential.
• Only 17% of adults said that “a person’s faith is meant to be developed mainly by involvement in a local church.”             
• Just as few adults (18%) firmly embraced the idea that spiritual maturity requires involvement in a community of faith.  
• While most Americans contend that they want their lives to matter, a minority (44%) strongly affirms their commitment to “personally make the world and other people’s lives better.”
  
  
• The Barna Group: New Survey Reveals that Americans Have Commitment Issues, April 19, 2006
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