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 | 30% | 26% | 12% | 1% | 26% | 5% | 5,262 |
2007 | 44% | 29% | 8% | 1% | 13% | 5% | 5,886 |
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 seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by religious group
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 41% | 36% | 14% | 1% | 6% | 3% | 963 |
Evangelical Protestant | 60% | 31% | 6% | < 1% | 1% | 2% | 511 |
Historically Black Protestant | 78% | 14% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 136 |
Jewish | 18% | 21% | 21% | < 1% | 32% | 7% | 235 |
Mainline Protestant | 41% | 39% | 10% | 2% | 6% | 2% | 778 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 14% | 19% | 14% | < 1% | 46% | 6% | 2,348 |
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 seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 20% | 32% | 29% | 19% | 1,452 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 21% | 38% | 26% | 15% | 1,365 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 33% | 33% | 19% | 15% | 631 |
Do not believe in God | 36% | 32% | 17% | 14% | 1,415 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 30% | 33% | 19% | 17% | 267 |
Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 11% | 14% | 26% | 34% | 13% | 1% | 1,452 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 13% | 16% | 31% | 30% | 10% | 1% | 1,365 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 20% | 25% | 23% | 10% | 1% | 631 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 18% | 25% | 21% | 9% | 1% | 1,415 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 22% | 24% | 26% | 9% | 2% | 267 |
Gender composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 55% | 45% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 62% | 38% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 35% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 69% | 31% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 66% | 34% | 274 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 62% | 16% | 2% | 16% | 4% | 1,466 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 76% | 5% | 4% | 12% | 3% | 1,369 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 68% | 4% | 8% | 16% | 3% | 632 |
Do not believe in God | 80% | 2% | 7% | 8% | 3% | 1,421 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 79% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 267 |
Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 12% | 75% | 1,450 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 12% | 9% | 79% | 1,362 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 17% | 13% | 70% | 631 |
Do not believe in God | 11% | 16% | 74% | 1,421 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 11% | 80% | 268 |
Income distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 47% | 21% | 21% | 11% | 1,263 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 22% | 25% | 19% | 1,213 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 17% | 24% | 23% | 573 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 19% | 29% | 24% | 1,295 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 19% | 26% | 23% | 235 |
Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 57% | 27% | 10% | 6% | 1,472 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 29% | 14% | 8% | 1,379 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 42% | 29% | 18% | 11% | 636 |
Do not believe in God | 36% | 31% | 19% | 14% | 1,431 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 33% | 36% | 17% | 14% | 271 |
Marital status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 39% | 8% | 17% | 9% | 27% | 1,477 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 11% | 13% | 5% | 24% | 1,370 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 9% | 10% | 5% | 39% | 637 |
Do not believe in God | 38% | 9% | 9% | 3% | 41% | 1,430 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 41% | 8% | 15% | 4% | 32% | 270 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 28% | 72% | 1,482 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 70% | 1,376 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 77% | 634 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 80% | 1,432 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 77% | 271 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 46% | 40% | 9% | 5% | < 1% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 13% | 48% | 30% | 9% | 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 30% | 41% | 23% | < 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 6% | 22% | 70% | 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 2% | 17% | 39% | 41% | 1% | 274 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 22% | 38% | 40% | < 1% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 9% | 35% | 55% | < 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 31% | 64% | < 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 14% | 84% | < 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 3% | 25% | 72% | < 1% | 274 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 43% | 21% | 9% | 25% | 2% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 19% | 14% | 49% | 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 13% | 10% | 11% | 67% | < 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 2% | 97% | < 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 5% | 6% | 84% | 1% | 274 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 12% | 4% | 6% | 77% | < 1% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 3% | 4% | 5% | 88% | < 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 3% | 2% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | < 1% | 2% | 97% | < 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 97% | 1% | 274 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 22% | 5% | 3% | 68% | 2% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 14% | 8% | 4% | 73% | 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 10% | 7% | 5% | 77% | 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 10% | 4% | 3% | 83% | 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 5% | 3% | 81% | 1% | 274 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 26% | 8% | 11% | 54% | 1% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 22% | 12% | 17% | 47% | 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 14% | 16% | 42% | 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 33% | 16% | 14% | 37% | 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 17% | 21% | 30% | < 1% | 274 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 25% | 10% | 55% | 8% | 2% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 8% | 12% | 68% | 11% | 2% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 17% | 60% | 16% | 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 15% | 56% | 27% | 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 2% | 17% | 66% | 14% | 2% | 274 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 28% | 70% | 2% | 1% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 24% | 74% | 1% | 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 77% | < 1% | 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 17% | 81% | 1% | 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 15% | 81% | 2% | 1% | 274 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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% | 9% | 6% | 66% | 1% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 5% | 4% | 7% | 83% | < 1% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 6% | 6% | 84% | < 1% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 3% | 95% | < 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 4% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 274 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 32% | 32% | 2% | 25% | 9% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 11% | 28% | 1% | 52% | 8% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 11% | < 1% | 76% | 7% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 93% | 4% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 4% | < 1% | 77% | 19% | 274 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 82% | 12% | 6% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 70% | 22% | 9% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 41% | 46% | 13% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 6% | 91% | 3% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 42% | 38% | 274 |
Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 65% | 26% | 9% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 42% | 8% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 57% | 11% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 92% | 3% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 15% | 54% | 31% | 274 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 34% | 23% | 44% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 20% | 42% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 19% | 51% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 19% | 58% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 23% | 50% | 274 |
Political ideology among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 32% | 33% | 24% | 10% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 38% | 26% | 7% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 40% | 31% | 7% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 15% | 31% | 45% | 8% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 34% | 36% | 11% | 274 |
Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 56% | 40% | 2% | 3% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 51% | 43% | 3% | 4% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 47% | 48% | 2% | 3% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 52% | 32% | 5% | 11% | 274 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 44% | 49% | 3% | 3% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 47% | 48% | 3% | 2% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 43% | 53% | 3% | 2% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 33% | 63% | 3% | 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 42% | 51% | 5% | 3% | 274 |
Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 51% | 44% | 5% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 68% | 29% | 4% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 74% | 23% | 3% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 84% | 14% | 2% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 75% | 18% | 7% | 274 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 59% | 33% | 4% | 4% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 74% | 20% | 3% | 3% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 77% | 17% | 2% | 4% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 8% | 2% | 1% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 78% | 14% | 3% | 5% | 274 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 42% | 9% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 66% | 26% | 8% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 72% | 22% | 6% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 85% | 10% | 4% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 72% | 20% | 8% | 274 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 57% | 2% | 3% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 64% | 2% | 2% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 72% | 1% | 2% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 30% | 61% | 4% | 5% | 274 |
Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by belief in God
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing 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 | 26% | 29% | 4% | 35% | 6% | 1,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 22% | 5% | 20% | 4% | 1,381 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 10% | 5% | 17% | 3% | 639 |
Do not believe in God | 85% | 4% | 1% | 8% | 2% | 1,438 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 71% | 5% | 14% | 5% | 5% | 274 |