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 | 51% | 37% | 7% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 8,311 |
2007 | 60% | 31% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 9,092 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Belief in God among adults who say religion is somewhat important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 52% | 40% | 6% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,225 |
Evangelical Protestant | 66% | 30% | 3% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 1,382 |
Historically Black Protestant | 65% | 30% | 3% | < 1% | < 1% | 2% | 228 |
Jewish | 21% | 43% | 19% | 1% | 13% | 4% | 313 |
Mainline Protestant | 50% | 43% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,990 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 42% | 36% | 10% | 1% | 8% | 3% | 1,498 |
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 adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 24% | 36% | 27% | 14% | 4,000 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 34% | 25% | 14% | 3,116 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 36% | 21% | 11% | 538 |
Do not believe in God | 34% | 36% | 15% | 15% | 295 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 28% | 25% | 18% | 168 |
Generational cohort among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 15% | 15% | 29% | 32% | 8% | 1% | 4,000 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 17% | 16% | 28% | 30% | 9% | 1% | 3,116 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 22% | 27% | 24% | 7% | 1% | 538 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 19% | 28% | 18% | 11% | < 1% | 295 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 19% | 21% | 30% | 10% | 2% | 168 |
Gender composition among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 52% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 53% | 47% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 61% | 39% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 57% | 43% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 63% | 37% | 174 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults who say religion is somewhat important by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 69% | 9% | 3% | 15% | 4% | 4,007 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 70% | 6% | 5% | 15% | 3% | 3,141 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 62% | 5% | 8% | 21% | 5% | 541 |
Do not believe in God | 71% | 3% | 9% | 14% | 3% | 295 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 74% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 9% | 165 |
Immigrant status among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 11% | 76% | 4,010 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 11% | 74% | 3,133 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 17% | 61% | 538 |
Do not believe in God | 14% | 17% | 70% | 293 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 9% | 77% | 168 |
Income distribution among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 34% | 22% | 26% | 18% | 3,616 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 20% | 28% | 22% | 2,830 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 15% | 24% | 24% | 484 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 20% | 33% | 24% | 268 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 36% | 15% | 19% | 29% | 143 |
Educational distribution among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 33% | 16% | 8% | 4,038 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 31% | 18% | 12% | 3,156 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 27% | 18% | 15% | 545 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 25% | 25% | 23% | 296 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 33% | 21% | 17% | 173 |
Marital status among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 9% | 14% | 5% | 26% | 4,047 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 11% | 12% | 5% | 27% | 3,160 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 40% | 14% | 9% | 5% | 32% | 544 |
Do not believe in God | 44% | 8% | 10% | 3% | 35% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 45% | 5% | 11% | 9% | 29% | 170 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 30% | 70% | 4,049 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 70% | 3,162 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 72% | 543 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 78% | 296 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 26% | 74% | 172 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Attendance at religious services among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 15% | 55% | 30% | < 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 12% | 55% | 32% | < 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 54% | 38% | < 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 6% | 45% | 48% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 52% | 36% | 3% | 174 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 47% | 29% | 9% | 13% | 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 31% | 15% | 24% | 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 21% | 18% | 38% | 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 10% | 7% | 11% | 72% | < 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 13% | 13% | 54% | 4% | 174 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 9% | 9% | 9% | 73% | < 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 5% | 7% | 9% | 79% | < 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 6% | 9% | 80% | < 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 7% | 9% | 81% | < 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 3% | 5% | 9% | 81% | 2% | 174 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 31% | 8% | 5% | 55% | 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 24% | 12% | 6% | 58% | 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 12% | 9% | 55% | < 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 11% | 9% | 51% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 24% | 10% | 5% | 57% | 4% | 174 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 48% | 22% | 14% | 15% | 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 23% | 17% | 22% | 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 20% | 16% | 36% | < 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 39% | 15% | 11% | 34% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 38% | 18% | 10% | 28% | 7% | 174 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 38% | 16% | 14% | 31% | 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 19% | 19% | 25% | 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 51% | 14% | 16% | 19% | 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 50% | 17% | 11% | 22% | < 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 49% | 15% | 16% | 19% | < 1% | 174 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 18% | 11% | 61% | 8% | 2% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 9% | 14% | 63% | 11% | 2% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 22% | 53% | 18% | 2% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 23% | 53% | 20% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 19% | 60% | 12% | 4% | 174 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 29% | 69% | 1% | 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 74% | 1% | 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 76% | 2% | 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 17% | 80% | 1% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 76% | 2% | 2% | 174 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 18% | 13% | 14% | 55% | 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 9% | 11% | 12% | 68% | 1% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 8% | 11% | 75% | < 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 6% | 12% | 77% | < 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 7% | 12% | 67% | 1% | 174 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 22% | 39% | 2% | 28% | 9% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 9% | 33% | 1% | 48% | 9% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 14% | < 1% | 70% | 9% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 4% | < 1% | 87% | 5% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 2% | 7% | 1% | 71% | 19% | 174 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 85% | 10% | 6% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 75% | 16% | 9% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 44% | 41% | 15% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 15% | 81% | 4% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 36% | 36% | 174 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 65% | 28% | 7% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 39% | 9% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 33% | 55% | 12% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 10% | 85% | 5% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 50% | 31% | 174 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 39% | 19% | 41% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 17% | 47% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 19% | 57% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 13% | 21% | 66% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 23% | 49% | 174 |
Political ideology among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 33% | 38% | 23% | 6% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 43% | 26% | 5% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 37% | 35% | 5% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 11% | 33% | 52% | 5% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 43% | 29% | 9% | 174 |
Views about size of government among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 54% | 41% | 3% | 3% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 43% | 2% | 3% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 47% | 45% | 4% | 4% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 38% | 54% | 3% | 5% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 54% | 35% | 7% | 4% | 174 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 48% | 47% | 3% | 1% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 44% | 51% | 3% | 2% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 34% | 61% | 3% | 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 68% | 3% | 2% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 39% | 47% | 11% | 3% | 174 |
Views about abortion among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 60% | 36% | 4% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 68% | 29% | 3% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 74% | 22% | 4% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 84% | 13% | 3% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 74% | 20% | 7% | 174 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 72% | 21% | 4% | 3% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 79% | 15% | 3% | 2% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 79% | 16% | 2% | 2% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 11% | 1% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 70% | 14% | 10% | 6% | 174 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 61% | 31% | 8% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 22% | 7% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 74% | 20% | 5% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 83% | 12% | 5% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 71% | 18% | 11% | 174 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 39% | 56% | 2% | 3% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 61% | 2% | 2% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 66% | 3% | 1% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 24% | 65% | 6% | 5% | 174 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say religion is somewhat important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is somewhat important 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 | 28% | 35% | 4% | 30% | 3% | 4,060 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 28% | 6% | 18% | 3% | 3,172 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 61% | 14% | 6% | 16% | 2% | 546 |
Do not believe in God | 83% | 7% | 1% | 7% | 1% | 297 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 57% | 14% | 11% | 14% | 4% | 174 |