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 | 64% | 27% | 5% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 7,202 |
2007 | 72% | 21% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 8,054 |
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 Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 15% | 33% | 30% | 23% | 4,674 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 35% | 29% | 16% | 1,820 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 39% | 21% | 12% | 308 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 30% | 27% | 15% | 112 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by age group
Generational cohort among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 10% | 9% | 28% | 36% | 15% | 2% | 4,674 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 12% | 14% | 29% | 34% | 10% | 1% | 1,820 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 16% | 32% | 24% | 7% | 2% | 308 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 16% | 23% | 33% | 9% | < 1% | 112 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by generational group
Gender composition among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 42% | 58% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 48% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 66% | 34% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 79% | 21% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 62% | 4% | 3% | 30% | 2% | 4,702 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 53% | 1% | 3% | 42% | 1% | 1,845 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 49% | 1% | 6% | 43% | 1% | 307 |
Do not believe in God | 77% | 1% | 4% | 17% | 1% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 24% | 15% | 61% | 4,728 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 14% | 51% | 1,833 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 14% | 50% | 305 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 19% | 66% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by immigrant status
Income distribution among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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% | 20% | 26% | 19% | 4,040 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 18% | 24% | 18% | 1,592 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 43% | 15% | 23% | 20% | 280 |
Do not believe in God | 29% | 13% | 36% | 22% | 106 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by household income
Educational distribution among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 29% | 17% | 10% | 4,750 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 23% | 16% | 9% | 1,842 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 51% | 22% | 14% | 13% | 308 |
Do not believe in God | 38% | 25% | 27% | 10% | 112 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by educational group
Marital status among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 53% | 6% | 12% | 8% | 20% | 4,758 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 11% | 11% | 5% | 22% | 1,849 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 43% | 11% | 11% | 3% | 32% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 41% | 10% | 10% | 2% | 36% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 29% | 71% | 4,756 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 65% | 1,848 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 68% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 81% | 112 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 70% | 26% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 46% | 13% | 2% | < 1% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 16% | 42% | 32% | 10% | < 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 7% | 18% | 30% | 44% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 47% | 37% | 15% | < 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 29% | 46% | 24% | < 1% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 10% | 52% | 38% | 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 9% | 29% | 62% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 70% | 19% | 5% | 6% | 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 26% | 11% | 19% | 1% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 17% | 15% | 42% | < 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 7% | 5% | 86% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 20% | 10% | 11% | 58% | 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 13% | 8% | 8% | 70% | 1% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 8% | 5% | 83% | < 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 2% | 3% | 93% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 45% | 8% | 4% | 41% | 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 12% | 6% | 47% | 2% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 13% | 6% | 60% | < 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 8% | 5% | 1% | 86% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 65% | 16% | 9% | 9% | 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 19% | 15% | 19% | 1% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 14% | 16% | 40% | 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 11% | 12% | 56% | 1% | 114 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 44% | 15% | 13% | 27% | 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 16% | 18% | 25% | 2% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 14% | 19% | 27% | 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 36% | 18% | 10% | 36% | < 1% | 114 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 36% | 9% | 46% | 7% | 3% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 21% | 10% | 52% | 15% | 2% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 12% | 15% | 52% | 20% | 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 7% | 57% | 31% | 2% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by sources of guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 33% | 64% | 1% | 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 72% | 1% | 2% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 74% | 1% | < 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 81% | < 1% | 1% | 114 |
Frequency of reading scripture among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 31% | 13% | 11% | 45% | 1% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 17% | 9% | 10% | 63% | 1% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 8% | 7% | 79% | < 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 9% | 89% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 29% | 42% | 3% | 18% | 7% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 22% | 29% | 2% | 40% | 8% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 15% | < 1% | 66% | 9% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 6% | 6% | 1% | 86% | 2% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 92% | 5% | 3% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 81% | 13% | 6% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 53% | 35% | 13% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 9% | 88% | 3% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 70% | 23% | 7% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 34% | 9% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 50% | 11% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 9% | 88% | 2% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 41% | 18% | 41% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 20% | 47% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 21% | 56% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 41% | 8% | 51% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by political party
Political ideology among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 41% | 36% | 18% | 5% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 37% | 29% | 4% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 34% | 34% | 6% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 34% | 40% | 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by political ideology
Views about size of government among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 51% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 54% | 2% | 3% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 40% | 53% | 3% | 3% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 46% | 50% | 2% | 2% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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% | 4% | 2% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 50% | 3% | 2% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 38% | 56% | 4% | 1% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 44% | 52% | 3% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by views about government aid to the poor
Views about abortion among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 43% | 52% | 5% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 41% | 4% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 67% | 27% | 6% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 79% | 20% | 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 66% | 26% | 4% | 4% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 77% | 17% | 3% | 3% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 79% | 16% | 4% | 2% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 80% | 18% | < 1% | 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 52% | 38% | 10% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 65% | 27% | 8% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 26% | 9% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 72% | 26% | 2% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 40% | 54% | 2% | 4% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 57% | 2% | 2% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 34% | 61% | 2% | 2% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 32% | 64% | 1% | 3% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among Catholics by belief in God
% of Catholics 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 | 22% | 36% | 4% | 33% | 5% | 4,775 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 26% | 4% | 23% | 4% | 1,854 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 56% | 14% | 4% | 24% | 3% | 310 |
Do not believe in God | 73% | 14% | 1% | 13% | < 1% | 114 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among Catholics by views about human evolution