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 | 76% | 18% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 25,048 |
2007 | 80% | 15% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 28,279 |
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
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 16% | 33% | 30% | 21% | 18,668 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 21% | 34% | 27% | 18% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 35% | 23% | 16% | 710 |
Believe in God; don't know | 10% | 18% | 26% | 46% | 183 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 27% | 31% | 21% | 258 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 27% | 22% | 27% | 210 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by age group
Generational cohort among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 10% | 11% | 28% | 36% | 14% | 1% | 18,668 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 13% | 14% | 28% | 32% | 12% | 1% | 4,491 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 17% | 16% | 29% | 27% | 10% | 2% | 710 |
Believe in God; don't know | 5% | 7% | 16% | 31% | 31% | 10% | 183 |
Do not believe in God | 14% | 12% | 22% | 36% | 15% | 2% | 258 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 15% | 11% | 24% | 29% | 17% | 4% | 210 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by generational group
Gender composition among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 42% | 58% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 51% | 49% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 64% | 36% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 47% | 53% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 74% | 26% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 61% | 39% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 66% | 15% | 2% | 14% | 4% | 18,823 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 64% | 6% | 2% | 24% | 3% | 4,539 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 4% | 4% | 24% | 4% | 715 |
Believe in God; don't know | 55% | 10% | 4% | 28% | 2% | 185 |
Do not believe in God | 84% | 2% | 3% | 10% | 1% | 263 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 74% | 8% | 1% | 12% | 5% | 212 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 12% | 9% | 80% | 18,870 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 22% | 10% | 68% | 4,512 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 11% | 64% | 708 |
Believe in God; don't know | 27% | 9% | 63% | 188 |
Do not believe in God | 13% | 12% | 75% | 262 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 11% | 7% | 82% | 209 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by immigrant status
Income distribution among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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% | 21% | 27% | 16% | 16,433 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 20% | 25% | 21% | 3,999 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 15% | 24% | 23% | 646 |
Believe in God; don't know | 59% | 20% | 15% | 7% | 131 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 15% | 31% | 28% | 235 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 15% | 33% | 23% | 172 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by household income
Educational distribution among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 43% | 33% | 15% | 9% | 18,973 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 28% | 16% | 11% | 4,543 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 25% | 18% | 13% | 717 |
Believe in God; don't know | 57% | 26% | 8% | 9% | 188 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 22% | 24% | 13% | 262 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 39% | 16% | 13% | 215 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by educational group
Marital status among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 53% | 5% | 14% | 8% | 19% | 19,006 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 10% | 12% | 6% | 23% | 4,549 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 44% | 11% | 11% | 5% | 29% | 719 |
Believe in God; don't know | 37% | 7% | 20% | 23% | 14% | 187 |
Do not believe in God | 47% | 9% | 10% | 6% | 28% | 264 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 46% | 7% | 12% | 9% | 26% | 213 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 30% | 70% | 19,013 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 69% | 4,555 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 72% | 719 |
Believe in God; don't know | 22% | 78% | 188 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 79% | 261 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 73% | 215 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 79% | 18% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 50% | 13% | 2% | 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 14% | 41% | 33% | 11% | < 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 60% | 24% | 7% | 2% | 7% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 10% | 18% | 36% | 36% | < 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 25% | 30% | 34% | 8% | 3% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 54% | 33% | 13% | 1% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 47% | 26% | < 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 12% | 46% | 42% | < 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 47% | 29% | 21% | 3% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 9% | 33% | 58% | 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 42% | 35% | 5% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 77% | 15% | 3% | 4% | 1% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 28% | 12% | 19% | 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 17% | 14% | 44% | < 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 54% | 13% | 5% | 19% | 9% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 9% | 8% | 6% | 77% | < 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 31% | 13% | 10% | 41% | 6% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 38% | 12% | 10% | 40% | 1% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 14% | 9% | 9% | 68% | < 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 7% | 5% | 83% | < 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 24% | 9% | 11% | 45% | 10% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 3% | 2% | 92% | < 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 11% | 4% | 6% | 74% | 4% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 49% | 7% | 3% | 38% | 2% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 11% | 6% | 51% | 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 12% | 8% | 61% | < 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 48% | 8% | 2% | 37% | 5% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 6% | 3% | 75% | < 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 8% | 5% | 49% | 8% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 73% | 13% | 7% | 6% | 1% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 44% | 20% | 15% | 19% | 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 16% | 15% | 36% | 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 59% | 8% | 8% | 16% | 10% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 10% | 12% | 51% | 2% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 37% | 16% | 5% | 30% | 11% | 220 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 46% | 16% | 12% | 25% | 2% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 18% | 17% | 24% | 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 40% | 15% | 17% | 27% | 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 43% | 7% | 10% | 30% | 10% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 35% | 18% | 16% | 30% | 2% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 40% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 7% | 220 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 51% | 6% | 36% | 4% | 3% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 12% | 55% | 11% | 2% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 16% | 59% | 17% | 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 25% | 9% | 49% | 6% | 11% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 12% | 56% | 25% | 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 17% | 52% | 8% | 6% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by sources of guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 42% | 55% | 1% | 1% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 71% | 1% | 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 28% | 62% | 3% | 8% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 75% | 1% | 2% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 73% | 3% | 2% | 220 |
Frequency of reading scripture among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 53% | 12% | 9% | 25% | 1% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 12% | 11% | 57% | 1% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 9% | 7% | 75% | < 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 40% | 9% | 6% | 39% | 6% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 4% | 5% | 86% | < 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 10% | 7% | 60% | 4% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who say the holy scripture is…
Belief in God | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 34% | 4% | 10% | 6% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 33% | 2% | 38% | 8% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 15% | 1% | 66% | 9% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 38% | 14% | 10% | 18% | 20% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 6% | 6% | < 1% | 84% | 4% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 10% | 5% | 55% | 19% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 90% | 5% | 5% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 79% | 13% | 8% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 50% | 37% | 13% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 72% | 11% | 17% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 84% | 4% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 29% | 39% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 76% | 17% | 7% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 57% | 34% | 9% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 51% | 12% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 52% | 24% | 24% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 86% | 3% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 40% | 28% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 16% | 38% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 18% | 46% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 18% | 56% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 29% | 30% | 41% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 11% | 49% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 36% | 26% | 38% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by political party
Political ideology among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 31% | 15% | 6% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 38% | 26% | 5% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 37% | 33% | 6% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 36% | 22% | 25% | 17% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 26% | 35% | 36% | 3% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 35% | 24% | 13% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by political ideology
Views about size of government among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 56% | 37% | 3% | 4% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 48% | 46% | 3% | 3% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 48% | 4% | 3% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 36% | 45% | 6% | 13% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 53% | 43% | 2% | 2% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 51% | 37% | 6% | 6% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 50% | 44% | 4% | 2% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 50% | 3% | 2% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 57% | 4% | 1% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 35% | 43% | 8% | 15% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 45% | 52% | 2% | 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 48% | 44% | 6% | 3% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by views about government aid to the poor
Views about abortion among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 40% | 56% | 4% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 37% | 4% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 72% | 24% | 4% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 31% | 46% | 23% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 83% | 15% | 2% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 60% | 33% | 7% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who say homosexuality…
Belief in God | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 44% | 5% | 4% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 74% | 20% | 3% | 3% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 76% | 18% | 3% | 3% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 43% | 33% | 12% | 13% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 76% | 19% | 2% | 2% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 63% | 28% | 4% | 6% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 38% | 54% | 8% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 63% | 29% | 8% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 69% | 24% | 7% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 37% | 36% | 28% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 70% | 25% | 5% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 55% | 32% | 13% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians 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 | 44% | 50% | 3% | 3% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 59% | 2% | 3% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 33% | 63% | 2% | 2% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 34% | 42% | 6% | 18% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 31% | 64% | 1% | 4% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 41% | 49% | 4% | 7% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among Christians by belief in God
% of Christians who say humans…
Belief in God | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 14% | 30% | 3% | 48% | 5% | 19,082 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 29% | 5% | 23% | 4% | 4,569 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 58% | 16% | 6% | 18% | 3% | 721 |
Believe in God; don't know | 26% | 17% | 10% | 29% | 18% | 191 |
Do not believe in God | 72% | 10% | 1% | 15% | 1% | 265 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 56% | 8% | 13% | 17% | 7% | 220 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Christians by views about human evolution