Belief in God among adults in Generation X
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 64% | 20% | 5% | < 1% | 9% | 2% | 7,303 |
2007 | 70% | 19% | 4% | < 1% | 5% | 3% | 8,092 |
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 adults in Generation X by religious group
% of adults in Generation X 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 64% | 28% | 6% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,472 |
Evangelical Protestant | 89% | 10% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,751 |
Historically Black Protestant | 91% | 7% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 450 |
Jewish | 41% | 29% | 12% | < 1% | 13% | 5% | 140 |
Mainline Protestant | 64% | 29% | 4% | < 1% | 1% | 2% | 1,044 |
Mormon | 82% | 13% | 3% | < 1% | < 1% | 2% | 166 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 30% | 24% | 10% | 1% | 30% | 5% | 1,764 |
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 adults in Generation X by belief in God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | < 1% | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | < 1% | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | < 1% | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | < 1% | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | < 1% | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by age group
Gender composition among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 55% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 53% | 47% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 59% | 41% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 65% | 35% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 62% | 38% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 58% | 16% | 3% | 18% | 4% | 4,433 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 64% | 6% | 5% | 23% | 3% | 1,492 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 66% | 4% | 7% | 20% | 3% | 387 |
Do not believe in God | 79% | 3% | 7% | 8% | 4% | 718 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 80% | 3% | 5% | 8% | 4% | 159 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 18% | 8% | 75% | 4,439 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 8% | 66% | 1,484 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 7% | 69% | 391 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 10% | 74% | 718 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 15% | 7% | 78% | 161 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by immigrant status
Income distribution among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 30% | 21% | 29% | 20% | 4,121 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 17% | 27% | 26% | 1,388 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 16% | 24% | 34% | 362 |
Do not believe in God | 15% | 16% | 33% | 35% | 688 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 18% | 18% | 35% | 29% | 153 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by household income
Educational distribution among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 38% | 33% | 18% | 11% | 4,479 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 26% | 18% | 14% | 1,498 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 20% | 21% | 23% | 391 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 25% | 27% | 23% | 724 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 24% | 27% | 22% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by educational group
Marital status among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 60% | 7% | 16% | 2% | 16% | 4,484 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 11% | 13% | 1% | 16% | 1,501 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 57% | 12% | 12% | 2% | 17% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 55% | 12% | 12% | 1% | 19% | 724 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 47% | 9% | 14% | 3% | 27% | 161 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 60% | 40% | 4,474 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 57% | 43% | 1,500 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 59% | 41% | 391 |
Do not believe in God | 51% | 49% | 723 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 45% | 55% | 161 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 72% | 21% | 4% | 3% | 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 44% | 21% | 8% | 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 10% | 32% | 38% | 20% | < 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 9% | 19% | 69% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 11% | 16% | 34% | 38% | 2% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 47% | 35% | 18% | < 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 17% | 44% | 39% | < 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 41% | 54% | < 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 14% | 84% | < 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 25% | 68% | < 1% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 74% | 15% | 4% | 6% | 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 25% | 11% | 28% | < 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 17% | 12% | 13% | 58% | < 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 2% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 11% | 6% | 69% | 1% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 34% | 13% | 10% | 43% | < 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 12% | 9% | 7% | 72% | < 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 4% | 5% | 88% | < 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 1% | 96% | < 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 1% | 4% | 87% | 1% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 45% | 7% | 4% | 42% | 2% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 11% | 6% | 50% | 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 11% | 7% | 61% | < 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 10% | 5% | 65% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 10% | 6% | 60% | 2% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 69% | 15% | 8% | 7% | 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 18% | 16% | 23% | 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 16% | 17% | 35% | 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 32% | 13% | 10% | 43% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 38% | 12% | 13% | 31% | 6% | 164 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 44% | 16% | 12% | 27% | 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 16% | 16% | 27% | 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 18% | 19% | 27% | < 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 42% | 18% | 16% | 24% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 36% | 19% | 19% | 24% | 3% | 164 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 46% | 7% | 39% | 5% | 3% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 13% | 57% | 13% | 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 19% | 57% | 18% | 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 18% | 52% | 27% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 17% | 57% | 14% | 5% | 164 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 41% | 57% | 1% | 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 72% | 1% | 2% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 80% | 1% | < 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 76% | 1% | < 1% | 164 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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% | 12% | 10% | 27% | < 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 16% | 10% | 10% | 64% | 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 7% | 6% | 83% | 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 4% | 5% | 89% | < 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 12% | 4% | 4% | 80% | < 1% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 43% | 32% | 3% | 15% | 6% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 17% | 26% | 1% | 48% | 8% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 11% | < 1% | 73% | 8% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 96% | 2% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 4% | 2% | 71% | 18% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 86% | 7% | 6% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 21% | 8% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 41% | 48% | 12% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 92% | 2% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 21% | 49% | 30% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 74% | 19% | 7% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 41% | 9% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 63% | 10% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 94% | 3% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 59% | 26% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 42% | 20% | 38% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 33% | 21% | 46% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 18% | 59% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 18% | 64% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 22% | 49% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by political party
Political ideology among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 32% | 17% | 6% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 37% | 32% | 5% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 16% | 41% | 36% | 7% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 11% | 35% | 49% | 4% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 33% | 37% | 10% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by political ideology
Views about size of government among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 55% | 39% | 3% | 3% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 47% | 48% | 2% | 2% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 46% | 49% | 3% | 2% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 46% | 47% | 4% | 3% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 49% | 38% | 5% | 8% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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% | 5% | 2% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 51% | 4% | 1% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 40% | 55% | 4% | 2% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 67% | 3% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 36% | 53% | 8% | 3% | 164 |
Views about abortion among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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% | 52% | 4% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 65% | 31% | 3% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 76% | 22% | 3% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 86% | 10% | 4% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 72% | 21% | 7% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 52% | 39% | 5% | 4% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 77% | 18% | 3% | 2% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 81% | 14% | 3% | 3% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 91% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 72% | 17% | 8% | 3% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 42% | 49% | 9% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 68% | 24% | 8% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 74% | 21% | 5% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 89% | 7% | 4% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 74% | 21% | 5% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 41% | 54% | 3% | 2% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 33% | 63% | 3% | 2% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 67% | 2% | 1% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 78% | 1% | 2% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 30% | 63% | 3% | 4% | 164 |
Views about human evolution among adults in Generation X by belief in God
% of adults in Generation X 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 | 17% | 30% | 3% | 46% | 4% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 25% | 6% | 21% | 3% | 1,503 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 70% | 10% | 4% | 13% | 2% | 393 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 2% | 2% | 6% | 1% | 725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 72% | 1% | 12% | 10% | 4% | 164 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in Generation X by views about human evolution