By comparison, fewer white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants (23%), white Catholics (21%) or religiously unaffiliated Americans (13%), according to the findings, “believe that recent natural disasters are evidence of the ‘end of times.’”

Among Americans who say “religion is the most important thing in their life,” 67% agree natural disasters are evidence of the “end of times” — down from 75% nearly a decade ago.

Taking care of the planet

The study also examined whether “theological views about Christian dominionism and stewardship are linked to whether Americans believe that the severity of natural disasters is evidence of the end times.”

Environmental stewardship is a theological belief among many Christians that all people are required by God to take care of the planet.

The survey concluded that only 21% agree that “God has called Christians to exercise dominion over all areas of society,” while a staggering 74% disgaree.

Of all the religious denominations surveyed, PRRI found that white evangelical Protestants (45%) and Hispanic Protestants (44%) were “the most likely to agree that God has called Christians to exercise dominion,” followed by Black Protestants and other non-white Protestants (both at 38%).

But as American society grows more secular, belief that climate change is caused by humans has increased, according to PRRI.

For example, among Americans who say “religion is the most important thing in their lives,” 39% say climate change is caused by humans, compared with 56% of those who say religion is “one among many important things,” 65% who say religion is “not as important” and 78% who say religion is “not important.”

By contrast, 40% of Americans who say that religion is the most important thing in their lives believe climate change is “mostly caused by natural patterns in the earth’s environment.”

The PRRI survey was carried out among a representative sample of 5,192 adults (ages 18 and up) living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Interviews were conducted online between June 8 and June 28 of this year.