53 Percent of Americans Say Abortion 'Not That Important' Compared to Other Issues

How important is the abortion issue to Americans? Fifty-three percent of the public says abortion is "not that important" compared with other issues, while 45 percent says abortion is either "one among many important issues" (27 percent) or "a critical issue facing the country" (18 percent), according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. However, the split masks stark differences between those who attend religious services at least once a week (37 percent of U.S. adults) and those who attend less often. About two-thirds (64 percent) of weekly churchgoers say abortion is a critical or important issue, while about two-thirds (65 percent) of those who attend less say abortion is not that important of an issue.