| Survey year | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 5% | 94% | 1% | 1,098 |
| 2007 | 12% | 83% | 5% | 515 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Learn More: Don't believe
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who are ages…
| Belief in Heaven | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 39% | 38% | 14% | 9% | 1,030 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by age group
Generational cohort among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who are…
| Belief in Heaven | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 27% | 21% | 28% | 17% | 5% | 1% | 1,030 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by generational group
Gender composition among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who are…
| Belief in Heaven | Men | Women | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 68% | 32% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who identify as…
| Belief in Heaven | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 79% | 3% | 6% | 10% | 2% | 1,036 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who are…
| Belief in Heaven | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 13% | 13% | 74% | 1,035 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by immigrant status
Income distribution among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who have a household income of…
| Belief in Heaven | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 22% | 17% | 29% | 32% | 967 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by household income
Educational distribution among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who have completed…
| Belief in Heaven | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 24% | 32% | 27% | 17% | 1,042 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by educational group
Marital status among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who are…
| Belief in Heaven | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 37% | 13% | 9% | 2% | 40% | 1,039 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who are…
| Belief in Heaven | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 22% | 78% | 1,043 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say they…
| Belief in Heaven | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 1% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 95% | 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say religion is…
| Belief in Heaven | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 1% | 4% | 10% | 85% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who attend religious services…
| Belief in Heaven | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 1% | 9% | 90% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who pray…
| Belief in Heaven | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 99% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who attend prayer group…
| Belief in Heaven | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 98% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who meditate…
| Belief in Heaven | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 18% | 8% | 5% | 69% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
| Belief in Heaven | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 30% | 14% | 8% | 46% | 2% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
| Belief in Heaven | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 53% | 17% | 11% | 18% | 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
| Belief in Heaven | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | < 1% | 22% | 44% | 33% | 2% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by sources of guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say…
| Belief in Heaven | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 15% | 84% | 1% | 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Frequency of reading scripture among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who read scripture…
| Belief in Heaven | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 2% | 3% | 5% | 90% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say the holy scripture is…
| Belief in Heaven | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 98% | 2% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Hell among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who …in hell
| Belief in Heaven | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | < 1% | 99% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who identify as…
| Belief in Heaven | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 14% | 16% | 70% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by political party
Political ideology among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who are…
| Belief in Heaven | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 9% | 28% | 58% | 5% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by political ideology
Views about size of government among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who would rather have…
| Belief in Heaven | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 41% | 52% | 4% | 3% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say government aid to the poor…
| Belief in Heaven | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 22% | 74% | 3% | 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by views about government aid to the poor
Views about abortion among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say abortion should be…
| Belief in Heaven | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 89% | 9% | 2% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say homosexuality…
| Belief in Heaven | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 96% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who …same-sex marriage
| Belief in Heaven | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 94% | 3% | 2% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say…
| Belief in Heaven | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 16% | 80% | 2% | 2% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among atheists by belief in heaven
% of atheists who say humans…
| Belief in Heaven | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't believe | 93% | 2% | 1% | 4% | < 1% | 1,044 |
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.
Switch Display To: belief in heaven among atheists by views about human evolution
