Belief in God among baby Boomers
% of baby Boomers who say they…
Survey year | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 69% | 18% | 4% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 13,049 |
2007 | 73% | 16% | 3% | 1% | 4% | 3% | 13,662 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Belief in God among baby Boomers by religious group
% of baby Boomers who say they…
Religious tradition | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 38% | 27% | 8% | 4% | 21% | 2% | 107 |
Catholic | 66% | 27% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,905 |
Evangelical Protestant | 90% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 3,416 |
Historically Black Protestant | 90% | 8% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 749 |
Jewish | 37% | 27% | 16% | < 1% | 14% | 5% | 330 |
Mainline Protestant | 70% | 23% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2,435 |
Mormon | 92% | 8% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 214 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 32% | 23% | 10% | 1% | 28% | 6% | 2,281 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Switch Display To: religious group among baby Boomers by belief in God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | < 1% | < 1% | 84% | 16% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | < 1% | < 1% | 84% | 16% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | < 1% | < 1% | 84% | 16% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | < 1% | < 1% | 82% | 18% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | < 1% | < 1% | 82% | 18% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by age group
Gender composition among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 56% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 54% | 46% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 61% | 39% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 68% | 32% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 60% | 40% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 71% | 14% | 2% | 10% | 4% | 8,573 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 74% | 5% | 3% | 16% | 3% | 2,429 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 79% | 5% | 5% | 9% | 2% | 554 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 3% | 3% | 5% | 2% | 943 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 86% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 1% | 274 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 10% | 6% | 85% | 8,640 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 7% | 75% | 2,429 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 8% | 74% | 557 |
Do not believe in God | 9% | 11% | 80% | 947 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 7% | 83% | 277 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by immigrant status
Income distribution among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who have a household income of…
Belief in God | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 34% | 20% | 28% | 18% | 7,679 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 20% | 26% | 26% | 2,195 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 13% | 32% | 30% | 515 |
Do not believe in God | 17% | 13% | 31% | 39% | 886 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 21% | 14% | 22% | 42% | 231 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by household income
Educational distribution among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 31% | 15% | 9% | 8,690 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 28% | 19% | 14% | 2,444 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 35% | 23% | 22% | 19% | 560 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 951 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 26% | 24% | 21% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by educational group
Marital status among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 61% | 4% | 20% | 7% | 9% | 8,688 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 6% | 19% | 5% | 10% | 2,443 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 63% | 7% | 16% | 5% | 10% | 558 |
Do not believe in God | 62% | 8% | 17% | 3% | 10% | 952 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 64% | 6% | 15% | 3% | 11% | 278 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 87% | 8,703 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 16% | 84% | 2,445 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 10% | 90% | 560 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 88% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 87% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say religion is…
Belief in God | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 75% | 19% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 29% | 47% | 17% | 7% | < 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 12% | 31% | 37% | 20% | 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 7% | 22% | 66% | 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 23% | 31% | 32% | 4% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who attend religious services…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 33% | 18% | 1% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 41% | 39% | < 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 11% | 31% | 58% | < 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 16% | 82% | < 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 27% | 61% | 6% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 76% | 15% | 3% | 5% | 1% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 25% | 11% | 27% | 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 20% | 14% | 11% | 54% | < 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 2% | 2% | 92% | < 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 5% | 5% | 68% | 9% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who attend prayer group…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 35% | 10% | 9% | 45% | 1% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 11% | 5% | 7% | 77% | < 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 5% | 5% | 86% | < 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 1% | 96% | < 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 3% | 3% | 86% | 3% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who meditate…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 51% | 7% | 3% | 37% | 2% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 33% | 10% | 6% | 50% | 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 9% | 7% | 54% | < 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 7% | 4% | 68% | 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 11% | 4% | 51% | 6% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 73% | 12% | 7% | 8% | 1% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 17% | 16% | 22% | 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 34% | 15% | 14% | 37% | 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 13% | 9% | 47% | 3% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 35% | 12% | 11% | 34% | 8% | 283 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 50% | 14% | 11% | 24% | 2% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 18% | 17% | 21% | 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 44% | 14% | 14% | 27% | 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 46% | 14% | 14% | 25% | 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 47% | 14% | 14% | 21% | 3% | 283 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Belief in God | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 6% | 38% | 4% | 2% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 16% | 13% | 57% | 11% | 3% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 17% | 59% | 15% | 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 20% | 54% | 22% | 2% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 14% | 58% | 15% | 8% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by sources of guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say…
Belief in God | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 54% | 2% | 1% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 70% | 2% | 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 72% | 2% | 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 78% | 1% | 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 74% | 3% | 3% | 283 |
Frequency of reading scripture among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who read scripture…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 50% | 11% | 8% | 30% | 1% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 8% | 10% | 66% | < 1% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 7% | 7% | 5% | 81% | < 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 2% | 3% | 93% | < 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 4% | 8% | 77% | 4% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say the holy scripture is…
Belief in God | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 29% | 4% | 15% | 7% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 26% | 2% | 49% | 9% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 11% | < 1% | 78% | 5% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | 1% | 93% | 4% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 2% | 4% | 2% | 71% | 21% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 86% | 8% | 6% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 67% | 23% | 10% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 34% | 50% | 16% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 93% | 3% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 48% | 38% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 71% | 21% | 8% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 45% | 10% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 67% | 11% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 94% | 3% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 61% | 29% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 15% | 40% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 16% | 50% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 14% | 65% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 15% | 64% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 28% | 50% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by political party
Political ideology among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 30% | 17% | 5% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 39% | 27% | 4% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 32% | 40% | 6% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 15% | 29% | 52% | 4% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 18% | 34% | 36% | 13% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by political ideology
Views about size of government among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who would rather have…
Belief in God | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 58% | 35% | 3% | 4% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 41% | 3% | 4% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 42% | 49% | 5% | 4% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 43% | 51% | 4% | 2% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 47% | 34% | 8% | 10% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say government aid to the poor…
Belief in God | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 45% | 4% | 2% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 52% | 3% | 2% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 63% | 3% | 2% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 68% | 4% | 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 58% | 7% | 4% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by views about government aid to the poor
Views about abortion among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say abortion should be…
Belief in God | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 51% | 5% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 68% | 28% | 4% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 81% | 17% | 2% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 90% | 8% | 3% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 79% | 12% | 9% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say homosexuality…
Belief in God | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 44% | 5% | 4% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 74% | 19% | 4% | 3% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 82% | 14% | 2% | 2% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 86% | 10% | 2% | 2% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 73% | 14% | 6% | 8% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 37% | 55% | 8% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 63% | 28% | 9% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 76% | 18% | 6% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 85% | 11% | 4% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 68% | 19% | 13% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say…
Belief in God | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 49% | 2% | 3% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 60% | 2% | 3% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 69% | 2% | < 1% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 69% | 3% | 5% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among baby Boomers by belief in God
% of baby Boomers who say humans…
Belief in God | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 14% | 30% | 3% | 47% | 5% | 8,718 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 26% | 6% | 19% | 4% | 2,450 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 64% | 10% | 7% | 17% | 2% | 561 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 3% | 1% | 6% | 1% | 954 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 65% | 7% | 13% | 11% | 4% | 283 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among baby Boomers by views about human evolution