Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201477%16%7%10,872
200775%16%9%14,396
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: Believe, Don't believe

Belief in Hell among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by religious group

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who …in hell

Religious traditionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Catholic75%18%7%1,696
Evangelical Protestant87%7%6%4,943
Historically Black Protestant89%6%5%793
Jehovah's Witness5%92%3%187
Mainline Protestant75%16%9%1,553
Mormon67%26%7%386
Muslim86%11%3%108
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")50%42%8%847
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: Believe, Don't believe

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who are ages…

Belief in Hell18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Believe14%32%30%23%8,115
Don't believe14%31%29%27%1,729
Other/don't know8%30%30%32%763
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.

Generational cohort among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who are…

Belief in HellYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Believe9%11%27%36%16%2%8,115
Don't believe8%11%26%35%17%3%1,729
Other/don't know4%8%26%37%22%4%763
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.

Gender composition among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who are…

Belief in HellMenWomenSample size
Believe53%47%8,303
Don't believe60%40%1,764
Other/don't know52%48%805
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.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who identify as…

Belief in HellWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Believe67%15%2%12%3%8,202
Don't believe61%12%4%18%4%1,732
Other/don't know70%12%5%9%4%786
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.

Immigrant status among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who are…

Belief in HellImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Believe13%6%81%8,187
Don't believe19%10%71%1,734
Other/don't know16%7%77%791
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.

Income distribution among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who have a household income of…

Belief in HellLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Believe38%22%27%14%7,140
Don't believe37%23%24%16%1,531
Other/don't know37%16%28%19%621
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.

Educational distribution among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who have completed…

Belief in HellHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Believe48%32%13%7%8,245
Don't believe52%27%12%8%1,751
Other/don't know45%27%18%10%798
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.

Marital status among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who are…

Belief in HellMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Believe57%3%13%9%18%8,268
Don't believe51%6%14%9%19%1,756
Other/don't know62%3%12%11%12%795
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.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who are…

Belief in HellParentsNon-parentsSample size
Believe30%70%8,271
Don't believe26%74%1,758
Other/don't know26%74%794
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.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say they…

Belief in HellBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Believe89%9%1%1%< 1%< 1%8,303
Don't believe63%19%7%1%9%2%1,764
Other/don't know76%14%3%3%1%3%805
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.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say religion is…

Belief in HellVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Believe83%13%2%1%< 1%8,303
Don't believe55%22%12%11%1%1,764
Other/don't know74%15%6%3%2%805
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.

Attendance at religious services among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who attend religious services…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe63%25%12%< 1%8,303
Don't believe41%27%31%< 1%1,764
Other/don't know52%26%19%2%805
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 prayer among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who pray…

Belief in HellAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe80%12%3%4%1%8,303
Don't believe57%13%6%25%1%1,764
Other/don't know71%13%3%11%3%805
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 participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who attend prayer group…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe48%12%9%30%1%8,303
Don't believe32%7%7%53%1%1,764
Other/don't know40%10%8%40%2%805
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 meditation among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who meditate…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe52%7%3%36%2%8,303
Don't believe46%5%5%42%2%1,764
Other/don't know49%5%4%36%5%805
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 spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe74%11%6%8%1%8,303
Don't believe58%11%9%21%2%1,764
Other/don't know67%10%6%14%3%805
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 adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe47%15%11%25%2%8,303
Don't believe47%14%12%25%2%1,764
Other/don't know44%17%13%22%4%805
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 adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Belief in HellReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Believe63%4%28%3%2%8,303
Don't believe39%6%45%8%2%1,764
Other/don't know52%5%33%5%5%805
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.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say…

Belief in HellThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe52%45%1%1%8,303
Don't believe38%59%1%1%1,764
Other/don't know48%49%2%2%805
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 adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who read scripture…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe64%10%7%18%1%8,303
Don't believe41%8%6%44%1%1,764
Other/don't know55%11%5%27%2%805
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.

Interpreting scripture among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say the holy scripture is…

Belief in HellWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Believe61%25%4%6%4%8,303
Don't believe30%30%2%32%6%1,764
Other/don't know43%24%7%13%13%805
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.

Belief in Heaven among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who …in heaven

Belief in HellBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Believe94%3%3%8,303
Don't believe54%40%6%1,764
Other/don't know54%4%42%805
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.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who identify as…

Belief in HellRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Believe56%14%30%8,303
Don't believe42%27%31%1,764
Other/don't know54%22%24%805
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.

Political ideology among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who are…

Belief in HellConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Believe61%22%11%5%8,303
Don't believe44%27%17%12%1,764
Other/don't know61%23%7%10%805
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.

Views about size of government among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who would rather have…

Belief in HellSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Believe63%32%2%3%8,303
Don't believe60%34%2%4%1,764
Other/don't know63%26%5%6%805
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.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say government aid to the poor…

Belief in HellDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe57%38%3%2%8,303
Don't believe54%42%3%2%1,764
Other/don't know58%31%5%6%805
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.

Views about abortion among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say abortion should be…

Belief in HellLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Believe25%72%3%8,303
Don't believe38%58%4%1,764
Other/don't know27%65%8%805
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.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who …same-sex marriage

Belief in HellStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Believe6%90%4%8,303
Don't believe15%80%5%1,764
Other/don't know8%85%8%805
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.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say…

Belief in HellStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe53%42%2%3%8,303
Don't believe47%47%3%3%1,764
Other/don't know52%38%3%7%805
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.

Views about human evolution among adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged by belief in hell

% of adults who say homosexuality should be discouraged who say humans…

Belief in HellEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Believe10%23%2%60%5%8,303
Don't believe23%21%3%49%5%1,764
Other/don't know13%18%7%51%11%805
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.