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 | 87% | 10% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 18,725 |
2007 | 91% | 7% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 20,547 |
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 very important by religious group
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 79% | 18% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,220 |
Evangelical Protestant | 94% | 5% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 6,904 |
Historically Black Protestant | 93% | 6% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,641 |
Jehovah's Witness | 93% | 7% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 224 |
Jewish | 75% | 18% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 279 |
Mainline Protestant | 87% | 11% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 3,317 |
Mormon | 92% | 7% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 559 |
Muslim | 95% | 4% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 154 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 75% | 15% | 5% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 826 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 16% | 33% | 29% | 22% | 16,074 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 35% | 27% | 19% | 1,738 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 35% | 25% | 17% | 147 |
Believe in God; don't know | 11% | 20% | 24% | 44% | 134 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 32% | 20% | 19% | 105 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults who say religion is very important by age group
Generational cohort among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important 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% | 35% | 15% | 2% | 16,074 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 10% | 16% | 28% | 31% | 13% | 1% | 1,738 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 21% | 27% | 29% | 12% | 2% | 147 |
Believe in God; don't know | 6% | 7% | 18% | 27% | 30% | 12% | 134 |
Do not believe in God | 13% | 22% | 26% | 29% | 10% | < 1% | 105 |
Gender composition among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 42% | 58% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 51% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 59% | 41% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 47% | 53% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 64% | 36% | 109 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults who say religion is very important by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 63% | 17% | 2% | 14% | 4% | 16,212 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 9% | 3% | 39% | 3% | 1,763 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 43% | 13% | 5% | 36% | 2% | 151 |
Believe in God; don't know | 49% | 15% | 7% | 27% | 2% | 133 |
Do not believe in God | 62% | 11% | 8% | 13% | 6% | 106 |
Immigrant status among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 8% | 79% | 16,249 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 9% | 54% | 1,749 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 44% | 8% | 49% | 148 |
Believe in God; don't know | 29% | 9% | 62% | 133 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 15% | 61% | 108 |
Income distribution among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 37% | 21% | 26% | 15% | 14,064 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 18% | 17% | 14% | 1,490 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 57% | 16% | 10% | 18% | 133 |
Believe in God; don't know | 63% | 18% | 11% | 8% | 100 |
Educational distribution among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important 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% | 16,371 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 23% | 12% | 10% | 1,765 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 63% | 19% | 8% | 11% | 149 |
Believe in God; don't know | 60% | 24% | 9% | 7% | 135 |
Do not believe in God | 32% | 23% | 26% | 18% | 108 |
Marital status among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 54% | 4% | 14% | 9% | 19% | 16,390 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 9% | 13% | 7% | 23% | 1,770 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 48% | 7% | 11% | 8% | 26% | 148 |
Believe in God; don't know | 36% | 9% | 21% | 24% | 11% | 133 |
Do not believe in God | 43% | 10% | 15% | 2% | 29% | 108 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 30% | 70% | 16,398 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 65% | 1,772 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 38% | 62% | 151 |
Believe in God; don't know | 24% | 76% | 135 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 73% | 109 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Attendance at religious services among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 62% | 28% | 10% | 1% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 48% | 35% | 16% | < 1% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 33% | 43% | 23% | < 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 56% | 25% | 17% | 3% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 32% | 28% | 40% | 1% | 109 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 84% | 11% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 64% | 23% | 6% | 7% | 1% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 64% | 16% | 8% | 12% | < 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 64% | 13% | 2% | 13% | 7% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 31% | 13% | 6% | 48% | 1% | 109 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 44% | 13% | 10% | 33% | 1% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 15% | 11% | 45% | 1% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 19% | 11% | 52% | < 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 32% | 7% | 11% | 39% | 11% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 9% | 7% | 67% | < 1% | 109 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 54% | 7% | 3% | 34% | 2% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 11% | 4% | 32% | 3% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 47% | 18% | 4% | 31% | < 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 57% | 5% | 2% | 29% | 7% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 46% | 8% | 3% | 42% | 1% | 109 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 78% | 11% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 62% | 15% | 11% | 10% | 2% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 54% | 17% | 8% | 21% | 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 70% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 58% | 11% | 8% | 23% | < 1% | 109 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 49% | 15% | 11% | 23% | 2% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 14% | 13% | 18% | 3% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 56% | 11% | 9% | 24% | 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 52% | 7% | 9% | 25% | 7% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 39% | 21% | 12% | 22% | 6% | 109 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 58% | 5% | 31% | 3% | 3% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 10% | 39% | 12% | 2% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 20% | 43% | 12% | 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 29% | 9% | 46% | 9% | 7% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 17% | 42% | 18% | 3% | 109 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 44% | 53% | 2% | 1% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 69% | 2% | 2% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 20% | 75% | 3% | 2% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 30% | 57% | 5% | 8% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 79% | < 1% | 2% | 109 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 61% | 12% | 7% | 19% | 1% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 15% | 11% | 36% | 1% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 19% | 12% | 38% | 1% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 46% | 11% | 6% | 28% | 8% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 16% | 7% | 49% | < 1% | 109 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 51% | 31% | 4% | 8% | 6% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 31% | 3% | 23% | 9% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 19% | 2% | 46% | 8% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 44% | 10% | 13% | 13% | 20% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 6% | 1% | 74% | 8% | 109 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 89% | 5% | 5% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 81% | 13% | 6% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 62% | 29% | 9% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 77% | 6% | 17% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 72% | 1% | 109 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 77% | 16% | 7% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 31% | 10% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 48% | 43% | 10% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 57% | 21% | 22% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 76% | 1% | 109 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 17% | 38% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 23% | 49% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 22% | 60% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 29% | 29% | 42% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 26% | 13% | 61% | 109 |
Political ideology among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 29% | 15% | 7% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 33% | 28% | 6% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 33% | 25% | 38% | 4% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 36% | 16% | 34% | 14% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 35% | 41% | 2% | 109 |
Views about size of government among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 55% | 39% | 3% | 4% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 58% | 4% | 3% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 58% | 7% | 5% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 34% | 48% | 5% | 13% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 65% | 6% | 1% | 109 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 49% | 45% | 4% | 2% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 54% | 3% | 2% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 38% | 54% | 5% | 3% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 34% | 50% | 3% | 12% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 77% | 1% | 1% | 109 |
Views about abortion among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 35% | 60% | 5% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 49% | 5% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 53% | 43% | 4% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 28% | 55% | 17% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 79% | 19% | 3% | 109 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 43% | 48% | 5% | 4% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 67% | 26% | 4% | 4% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 69% | 24% | 3% | 4% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 46% | 37% | 7% | 11% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 83% | 14% | 3% | 1% | 109 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very important who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 33% | 59% | 8% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 54% | 36% | 10% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 57% | 32% | 11% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 42% | 35% | 23% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 74% | 21% | 5% | 109 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 44% | 49% | 3% | 4% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 58% | 2% | 4% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 58% | 2% | 3% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 35% | 39% | 7% | 19% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 67% | 4% | 2% | 109 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say religion is very important by belief in God
% of adults who say religion is very 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 | 12% | 29% | 3% | 51% | 6% | 16,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 32% | 5% | 30% | 5% | 1,778 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 42% | 20% | 3% | 32% | 4% | 152 |
Believe in God; don't know | 26% | 21% | 6% | 30% | 17% | 138 |
Do not believe in God | 66% | 8% | 3% | 23% | 1% | 109 |