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 | 27% | 22% | 11% | 1% | 33% | 6% | 7,556 |
2007 | 36% | 24% | 9% | 1% | 22% | 8% | 5,048 |
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 the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 27% | 40% | 24% | 8% | 1,774 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 40% | 21% | 7% | 1,588 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 43% | 32% | 16% | 8% | 840 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 35% | 15% | 10% | 2,706 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 36% | 21% | 11% | 482 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by age group
Generational cohort among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 15% | 20% | 32% | 27% | 5% | < 1% | 1,774 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 22% | 31% | 24% | 4% | < 1% | 1,588 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 24% | 24% | 19% | 5% | < 1% | 840 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 22% | 26% | 19% | 6% | 1% | 2,706 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 22% | 27% | 24% | 7% | 1% | 482 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by generational group
Gender composition among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 51% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 51% | 49% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 57% | 43% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 66% | 34% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 63% | 37% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 54% | 19% | 3% | 18% | 7% | 1,753 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 70% | 8% | 4% | 13% | 5% | 1,594 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 69% | 7% | 7% | 14% | 3% | 839 |
Do not believe in God | 77% | 3% | 7% | 10% | 3% | 2,705 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 81% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 490 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 10% | 77% | 1,764 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 13% | 10% | 77% | 1,588 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 13% | 16% | 71% | 840 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 15% | 73% | 2,703 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 11% | 11% | 79% | 494 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by immigrant status
Income distribution among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 46% | 22% | 20% | 13% | 1,574 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 21% | 27% | 17% | 1,469 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 18% | 26% | 23% | 776 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 19% | 30% | 28% | 2,516 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 26% | 19% | 26% | 29% | 422 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by household income
Educational distribution among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 52% | 32% | 12% | 5% | 1,797 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 35% | 15% | 9% | 1,609 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 31% | 19% | 12% | 846 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 31% | 24% | 16% | 2,732 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 33% | 25% | 15% | 501 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by educational group
Marital status among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 36% | 11% | 16% | 4% | 34% | 1,794 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 13% | 11% | 3% | 32% | 1,611 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 35% | 11% | 9% | 3% | 43% | 847 |
Do not believe in God | 37% | 12% | 9% | 2% | 41% | 2,728 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 42% | 8% | 13% | 3% | 34% | 495 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 32% | 68% | 1,799 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 29% | 71% | 1,610 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 77% | 844 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 78% | 2,729 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 21% | 79% | 501 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 36% | 34% | 14% | 14% | 2% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 9% | 35% | 36% | 20% | 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 19% | 44% | 31% | 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 5% | 21% | 73% | < 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 2% | 13% | 35% | 49% | 2% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 12% | 33% | 55% | < 1% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 3% | 29% | 67% | < 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 2% | 24% | 74% | < 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 13% | 86% | < 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 20% | 79% | < 1% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 50% | 20% | 7% | 21% | 1% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 18% | 11% | 51% | < 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 10% | 9% | 10% | 70% | < 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | < 1% | 2% | 96% | < 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 4% | 5% | 85% | 2% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 13% | 7% | 7% | 73% | < 1% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 3% | 4% | 4% | 89% | < 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 3% | 2% | 2% | 93% | < 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 98% | < 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 2% | 3% | 95% | 1% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 41% | 8% | 4% | 46% | 1% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 24% | 14% | 6% | 56% | 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 11% | 5% | 58% | 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 17% | 8% | 5% | 69% | 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 18% | 11% | 5% | 64% | 1% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 58% | 14% | 9% | 17% | 2% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 19% | 14% | 28% | 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 18% | 13% | 38% | 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 30% | 15% | 9% | 44% | 2% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 34% | 13% | 12% | 36% | 5% | 502 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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% | 14% | 8% | 28% | 1% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 16% | 15% | 25% | 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 47% | 17% | 13% | 22% | 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 47% | 17% | 13% | 22% | 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 48% | 18% | 14% | 19% | 1% | 502 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 19% | 12% | 57% | 8% | 3% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 5% | 17% | 64% | 12% | 2% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 3% | 24% | 57% | 15% | 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 19% | 51% | 27% | 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 21% | 57% | 17% | 4% | 502 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 25% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 21% | 77% | 1% | 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 83% | 1% | < 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 79% | 3% | 1% | 502 |
Frequency of reading scripture among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 26% | 10% | 7% | 56% | 1% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 5% | 7% | 7% | 81% | < 1% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 4% | 5% | 86% | < 1% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | 4% | 92% | < 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 4% | 5% | 86% | 1% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 26% | 23% | 2% | 39% | 10% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 9% | 15% | 1% | 67% | 8% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 7% | < 1% | 84% | 5% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 95% | 3% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | < 1% | 3% | < 1% | 82% | 15% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 70% | 20% | 9% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 54% | 35% | 11% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 35% | 53% | 12% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 93% | 3% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 50% | 36% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 53% | 39% | 8% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 53% | 10% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 65% | 10% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 94% | 3% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 60% | 30% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 27% | 29% | 45% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 22% | 50% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 19% | 57% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 17% | 18% | 64% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 25% | 52% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by political party
Political ideology among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 27% | 33% | 29% | 11% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 41% | 33% | 6% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 15% | 41% | 38% | 6% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 32% | 50% | 6% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 39% | 36% | 9% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by political ideology
Views about size of government among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 47% | 46% | 3% | 4% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 46% | 2% | 3% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 48% | 45% | 3% | 4% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 44% | 49% | 3% | 3% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 50% | 34% | 8% | 8% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 42% | 51% | 5% | 3% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 57% | 2% | 2% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 38% | 57% | 3% | 2% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 29% | 66% | 3% | 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 34% | 56% | 7% | 3% | 502 |
Views about abortion among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 55% | 40% | 6% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 26% | 4% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 78% | 20% | 2% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 86% | 11% | 3% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 80% | 13% | 8% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 69% | 23% | 4% | 4% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 84% | 11% | 2% | 3% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 85% | 10% | 2% | 3% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 92% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 83% | 9% | 5% | 4% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 59% | 32% | 9% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 78% | 15% | 7% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 82% | 13% | 5% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 91% | 6% | 3% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 81% | 12% | 7% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 36% | 57% | 3% | 4% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 29% | 65% | 3% | 3% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 69% | 2% | 2% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 78% | 2% | 2% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 24% | 67% | 4% | 5% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among the Unaffiliated by belief in God
% of the Unaffiliated 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 | 29% | 30% | 5% | 32% | 5% | 1,805 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 18% | 6% | 15% | 3% | 1,614 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 72% | 10% | 4% | 11% | 3% | 850 |
Do not believe in God | 90% | 3% | 1% | 5% | 1% | 2,736 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 74% | 6% | 11% | 5% | 4% | 502 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among the Unaffiliated by views about human evolution