Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201447%46%4%3%7,973
200745%44%5%6%6,275
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: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

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

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

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Buddhist34%55%5%5%151
Catholic44%52%3%2%709
Evangelical Protestant71%26%1%2%503
Jewish33%58%5%3%461
Mainline Protestant52%41%5%2%861
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")47%46%4%3%4,429
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: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who do not believe in Heaven by views about size of government

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

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services27%34%24%15%3,620
Bigger government; more services30%35%21%13%3,623
Depends20%34%25%21%321
Don't know23%35%20%23%290
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services17%18%26%28%9%1%3,620
Bigger government; more services19%19%28%26%8%1%3,623
Depends11%16%26%31%13%2%321
Don't know12%18%27%24%16%2%290
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services66%34%3,677
Bigger government; more services51%49%3,675
Depends58%42%326
Don't know56%44%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services78%4%5%10%4%3,601
Bigger government; more services66%6%7%17%4%3,636
Depends74%8%5%8%5%322
Don't know72%8%4%12%4%289
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services12%13%75%3,644
Bigger government; more services21%13%66%3,634
Depends12%11%77%323
Don't know16%11%73%291
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Smaller government; fewer services23%19%31%28%3,306
Bigger government; more services28%19%27%26%3,338
Depends27%15%30%28%285
Don't know32%17%24%26%246
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.

Educational distribution among adults who do not believe in Heaven by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services31%33%21%15%3,660
Bigger government; more services28%25%25%21%3,657
Depends27%31%26%16%326
Don't know27%31%26%16%292
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services46%9%12%3%29%3,664
Bigger government; more services43%11%12%3%31%3,658
Depends45%10%11%7%27%325
Don't know42%12%12%8%26%293
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services24%76%3,665
Bigger government; more services25%75%3,665
Depends24%76%325
Don't know24%76%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentBelieve 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
Smaller government; fewer services25%21%12%1%36%5%3,677
Bigger government; more services20%19%12%< 1%45%4%3,675
Depends19%17%17%3%35%10%326
Don't know24%19%9%1%36%10%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services17%19%25%39%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services17%20%23%40%1%3,675
Depends15%23%21%39%2%326
Don't know14%19%27%38%1%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services12%24%63%< 1%3,677
Bigger government; more services11%28%61%< 1%3,675
Depends8%26%66%< 1%326
Don't know12%21%67%1%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services22%9%5%63%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services19%10%6%65%< 1%3,675
Depends18%11%7%63%1%326
Don't know22%10%5%59%3%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services10%4%4%83%< 1%3,677
Bigger government; more services7%4%5%84%< 1%3,675
Depends6%5%3%85%< 1%326
Don't know9%2%6%83%< 1%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services30%10%5%53%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services31%10%6%52%1%3,675
Depends43%8%5%44%1%326
Don't know39%8%5%46%2%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services43%14%10%32%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services41%17%11%30%2%3,675
Depends49%14%10%22%5%326
Don't know47%13%10%26%4%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services49%16%14%21%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services49%17%14%20%1%3,675
Depends61%15%9%14%1%326
Don't know55%16%11%17%2%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services10%17%55%16%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services8%21%47%22%2%3,675
Depends8%20%50%17%5%326
Don't know7%19%47%15%13%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services27%71%1%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services17%81%1%1%3,675
Depends14%79%6%1%326
Don't know14%79%4%3%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services14%5%6%74%< 1%3,677
Bigger government; more services9%5%7%78%< 1%3,675
Depends8%6%9%76%< 1%326
Don't know14%9%6%70%1%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentWord 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
Smaller government; fewer services7%9%1%78%5%3,677
Bigger government; more services7%8%1%81%4%3,675
Depends3%3%1%80%13%326
Don't know4%6%1%75%14%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services7%91%2%3,677
Bigger government; more services7%93%1%3,675
Depends5%92%4%326
Don't know6%92%3%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services41%21%38%3,677
Bigger government; more services8%14%78%3,675
Depends8%23%69%326
Don't know5%29%66%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services28%41%25%6%3,677
Bigger government; more services9%25%62%5%3,675
Depends10%34%49%7%326
Don't know7%33%42%18%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services53%42%3%1%3,677
Bigger government; more services16%81%2%1%3,675
Depends15%67%16%2%326
Don't know13%65%11%11%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services74%23%3%3,677
Bigger government; more services81%17%2%3,675
Depends82%11%7%326
Don't know71%20%9%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services77%17%3%2%3,677
Bigger government; more services88%9%1%1%3,675
Depends86%6%6%2%326
Don't know81%11%2%6%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services72%23%6%3,677
Bigger government; more services86%11%3%3,675
Depends82%8%10%326
Don't know84%10%7%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentStricter 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
Smaller government; fewer services37%59%2%2%3,677
Bigger government; more services13%84%1%1%3,675
Depends7%82%7%4%326
Don't know13%71%6%10%295
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 views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services66%10%4%17%2%3,677
Bigger government; more services73%11%2%12%1%3,675
Depends74%8%7%6%4%326
Don't know62%10%11%8%9%295
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.