Educational distribution among adults who do not believe in Heaven by religious group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who have completed…

Religious traditionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Buddhist15%27%33%26%150
Catholic48%20%19%13%703
Evangelical Protestant35%39%17%9%499
Jewish15%14%34%37%460
Mainline Protestant23%24%27%26%856
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")28%32%24%16%4,418
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: High school or less, Some college, College, Post-graduate degree

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are ages…

Educational distribution18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
High school or less33%30%22%15%1,532
Some college37%31%20%11%1,747
College24%38%23%14%2,521
Post-graduate degree10%44%26%20%2,036
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…

Educational distributionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
High school or less25%14%24%25%10%2%1,532
Some college25%21%23%24%7%1%1,747
College10%23%29%28%8%1%2,521
Post-graduate degree1%17%35%33%12%1%2,036
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…

Educational distributionMenWomenSample size
High school or less64%36%1,549
Some college59%41%1,765
College55%45%2,551
Post-graduate degree52%48%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who identify as…

Educational distributionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
High school or less62%7%4%24%3%1,533
Some college72%7%5%12%5%1,735
College78%4%7%7%3%2,512
Post-graduate degree79%3%10%5%3%2,038
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…

Educational distributionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
High school or less21%12%67%1,528
Some college11%14%74%1,747
College14%13%73%2,539
Post-graduate degree20%11%69%2,049
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who have a household income of…

Educational distributionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
High school or less42%23%22%13%1,361
Some college28%22%31%19%1,606
College14%17%34%35%2,330
Post-graduate degree9%10%30%50%1,864
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…

Educational distributionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
High school or less37%10%12%5%37%1,545
Some college36%11%15%3%36%1,760
College51%11%9%3%25%2,539
Post-graduate degree63%9%10%3%15%2,066
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…

Educational distributionParentsNon-parentsSample size
High school or less22%78%1,546
Some college23%77%1,761
College26%74%2,547
Post-graduate degree29%71%2,063
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say they…

Educational distributionBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
High school or less27%19%12%1%37%4%1,549
Some college24%20%10%1%40%4%1,765
College18%19%13%1%44%5%2,551
Post-graduate degree18%22%14%1%40%6%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say religion is…

Educational distributionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
High school or less21%20%21%37%< 1%1,549
Some college16%17%24%41%1%1,765
College13%19%26%41%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree15%22%25%38%< 1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who attend religious services…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less14%24%63%< 1%1,549
Some college10%24%65%< 1%1,765
College10%28%62%< 1%2,551
Post-graduate degree11%31%58%< 1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who pray…

Educational distributionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less23%10%5%62%< 1%1,549
Some college22%9%5%64%1%1,765
College18%9%6%67%< 1%2,551
Post-graduate degree19%10%7%63%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who attend prayer group…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less11%3%5%81%< 1%1,549
Some college8%4%3%84%< 1%1,765
College6%3%5%86%< 1%2,551
Post-graduate degree7%3%5%84%< 1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who meditate…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less30%7%4%58%1%1,549
Some college32%12%5%50%1%1,765
College31%11%7%51%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree32%12%7%47%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less39%12%8%39%2%1,549
Some college44%17%8%30%1%1,765
College43%17%13%25%2%2,551
Post-graduate degree43%17%15%24%2%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less45%13%11%30%1%1,549
Some college53%17%11%18%1%1,765
College52%17%16%15%< 1%2,551
Post-graduate degree49%19%17%14%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Educational distributionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
High school or less13%13%58%15%1%1,549
Some college9%19%53%17%2%1,765
College7%22%48%21%2%2,551
Post-graduate degree7%25%41%25%3%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say…

Educational distributionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less25%73%1%1%1,549
Some college22%76%2%1%1,765
College19%79%1%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree19%79%2%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who read scripture…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less15%6%6%73%< 1%1,549
Some college13%5%7%75%1%1,765
College9%5%7%79%< 1%2,551
Post-graduate degree9%6%8%77%< 1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say the holy scripture is…

Educational distributionWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less12%12%1%70%5%1,549
Some college7%8%< 1%79%6%1,765
College4%5%< 1%87%4%2,551
Post-graduate degree2%5%1%87%5%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who …in hell

Educational distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less10%88%2%1,549
Some college7%91%2%1,765
College4%95%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree3%96%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who identify as…

Educational distributionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
High school or less29%28%43%1,549
Some college25%19%56%1,765
College19%13%68%2,551
Post-graduate degree18%9%73%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…

Educational distributionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
High school or less25%34%32%9%1,549
Some college19%34%41%6%1,765
College13%33%50%3%2,551
Post-graduate degree10%31%57%2%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who would rather have…

Educational distributionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
High school or less50%44%3%3%1,549
Some college53%40%4%3%1,765
College43%50%4%4%2,551
Post-graduate degree39%55%3%3%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say government aid to the poor…

Educational distributionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less43%52%4%2%1,549
Some college35%60%3%1%1,765
College28%67%3%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree23%73%3%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say abortion should be…

Educational distributionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
High school or less66%30%3%1,549
Some college76%21%4%1,765
College85%12%2%2,551
Post-graduate degree87%11%2%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say homosexuality…

Educational distributionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less73%21%3%3%1,549
Some college83%12%3%2%1,765
College89%8%2%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree91%7%2%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who …same-sex marriage

Educational distributionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
High school or less67%26%7%1,549
Some college79%16%5%1,765
College88%9%3%2,551
Post-graduate degree88%9%3%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say…

Educational distributionStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less34%60%2%3%1,549
Some college24%71%2%2%1,765
College17%80%2%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree15%82%2%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who do not believe in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say humans…

Educational distributionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
High school or less57%14%3%24%3%1,549
Some college68%12%4%15%1%1,765
College80%8%3%8%1%2,551
Post-graduate degree82%7%4%6%1%2,070
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.