Belief in God among moderates
% of moderates 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 | 59% | 23% | 6% | 1% | 9% | 2% | 11,653 |
2007 | 69% | 20% | 4% | < 1% | 5% | 2% | 12,825 |
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 moderates by religious group
% of moderates 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% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,619 |
Evangelical Protestant | 84% | 14% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 2,236 |
Historically Black Protestant | 87% | 11% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 672 |
Jewish | 38% | 32% | 16% | 1% | 12% | 2% | 262 |
Mainline Protestant | 64% | 28% | 5% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2,290 |
Mormon | 81% | 13% | 5% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 172 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 25% | 26% | 13% | 1% | 30% | 6% | 2,681 |
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 moderates by belief in God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 21% | 34% | 28% | 18% | 6,713 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 35% | 25% | 15% | 2,668 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 36% | 16% | 12% | 677 |
Do not believe in God | 38% | 37% | 15% | 9% | 1,038 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 34% | 34% | 22% | 10% | 280 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by age group
Generational cohort among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 13% | 29% | 33% | 11% | 1% | 6,713 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 16% | 17% | 28% | 30% | 9% | 1% | 2,668 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 22% | 28% | 19% | 8% | 1% | 677 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 20% | 29% | 18% | 6% | 1% | 1,038 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 27% | 24% | 25% | 6% | 1% | 280 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by generational group
Gender composition among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 40% | 60% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 53% | 47% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 35% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 72% | 28% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 71% | 29% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 62% | 16% | 3% | 15% | 4% | 6,746 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 70% | 7% | 5% | 15% | 3% | 2,697 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 69% | 4% | 6% | 17% | 3% | 681 |
Do not believe in God | 76% | 3% | 8% | 9% | 3% | 1,032 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 82% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 286 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 10% | 77% | 6,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 14% | 11% | 74% | 2,692 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 16% | 16% | 68% | 676 |
Do not believe in God | 14% | 14% | 72% | 1,035 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 7% | 85% | 287 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by immigrant status
Income distribution among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 36% | 22% | 27% | 16% | 6,023 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 20% | 27% | 22% | 2,407 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 16% | 25% | 28% | 617 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 20% | 31% | 27% | 952 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 12% | 30% | 31% | 254 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by household income
Educational distribution among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 39% | 34% | 16% | 10% | 6,811 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 31% | 18% | 14% | 2,713 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 34% | 31% | 20% | 15% | 684 |
Do not believe in God | 30% | 32% | 24% | 14% | 1,046 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 26% | 34% | 25% | 16% | 293 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by educational group
Marital status among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 6% | 14% | 8% | 24% | 6,809 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 48% | 10% | 10% | 5% | 26% | 2,711 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 41% | 9% | 10% | 4% | 37% | 686 |
Do not believe in God | 38% | 10% | 8% | 2% | 42% | 1,046 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 44% | 10% | 12% | 2% | 33% | 291 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 30% | 70% | 6,807 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 29% | 71% | 2,712 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 73% | 683 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 77% | 1,043 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 24% | 76% | 293 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 69% | 24% | 4% | 3% | < 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 23% | 51% | 20% | 6% | 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 29% | 43% | 22% | 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 8% | 26% | 62% | < 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 23% | 34% | 35% | 1% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 44% | 37% | 18% | < 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 45% | 37% | < 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 39% | 56% | < 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 21% | 77% | < 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 33% | 60% | 2% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 70% | 18% | 4% | 7% | 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 26% | 13% | 29% | 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 11% | 11% | 12% | 65% | < 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 2% | 3% | 92% | < 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 12% | 3% | 7% | 75% | 2% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 28% | 12% | 10% | 49% | 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 8% | 6% | 9% | 76% | < 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 1% | 5% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 2% | 96% | < 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 3% | 3% | 90% | 1% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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% | 8% | 5% | 41% | 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 11% | 6% | 54% | 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 11% | 8% | 60% | 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 17% | 8% | 5% | 68% | 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 10% | 4% | 57% | 1% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 68% | 15% | 8% | 8% | 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 20% | 17% | 21% | 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 17% | 16% | 38% | 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 30% | 14% | 11% | 43% | 2% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 38% | 14% | 11% | 32% | 5% | 295 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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% | 17% | 13% | 25% | 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 19% | 18% | 23% | 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 42% | 18% | 18% | 22% | 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 42% | 18% | 15% | 25% | < 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 50% | 18% | 15% | 15% | 2% | 295 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 39% | 8% | 45% | 5% | 2% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 11% | 15% | 61% | 11% | 2% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 3% | 21% | 60% | 15% | 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 18% | 53% | 27% | 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 3% | 18% | 60% | 14% | 5% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by sources of guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 32% | 67% | 1% | 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 23% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 80% | 1% | 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 80% | < 1% | 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 15% | 82% | 2% | < 1% | 295 |
Frequency of reading scripture among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 43% | 13% | 10% | 33% | 1% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 12% | 10% | 11% | 66% | < 1% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 5% | 8% | 83% | < 1% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 4% | 5% | 90% | < 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 5% | 7% | 81% | 1% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 34% | 38% | 3% | 17% | 8% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 10% | 30% | 1% | 50% | 9% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 8% | < 1% | 82% | 6% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 95% | 3% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 4% | 1% | 79% | 14% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 88% | 7% | 5% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 20% | 9% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 48% | 13% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 6% | 90% | 3% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 44% | 37% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 71% | 22% | 7% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 47% | 43% | 10% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 63% | 11% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 91% | 3% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 56% | 26% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 33% | 18% | 49% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 18% | 49% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 19% | 54% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 22% | 54% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 28% | 43% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by political party
Views about size of government among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 50% | 43% | 4% | 4% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 38% | 3% | 4% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 55% | 37% | 4% | 4% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 59% | 35% | 3% | 4% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 54% | 30% | 8% | 8% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 40% | 54% | 4% | 2% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 53% | 4% | 2% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 41% | 54% | 4% | 2% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 37% | 58% | 4% | 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 40% | 51% | 7% | 2% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by views about government aid to the poor
Views about abortion among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 53% | 43% | 4% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 69% | 28% | 3% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 78% | 19% | 3% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 84% | 13% | 2% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 79% | 18% | 4% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 63% | 29% | 4% | 4% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 83% | 12% | 3% | 2% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 86% | 10% | 2% | 3% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 91% | 7% | 2% | 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 84% | 11% | 4% | 1% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 53% | 40% | 8% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 74% | 19% | 7% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 80% | 14% | 5% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 9% | 3% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 80% | 14% | 6% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 34% | 61% | 3% | 2% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 67% | 3% | 2% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 24% | 72% | 2% | 3% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 65% | 6% | 6% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among moderates by belief in God
% of moderates 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 | 19% | 35% | 4% | 38% | 4% | 6,834 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 25% | 5% | 18% | 3% | 2,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 71% | 11% | 5% | 12% | 2% | 688 |
Do not believe in God | 87% | 4% | 1% | 7% | 1% | 1,048 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 70% | 10% | 12% | 5% | 2% | 295 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among moderates by views about human evolution