Americans have become less likely to say belief in God is needed to be moral
% who say it is __ to believe in God in order to be moral and have good values
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. The dots in the graphic are placed at the midpoint of each survey’s field dates.
Source: Spring 2025 Global Attitudes Survey.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Americans have become less likely to say belief in God is needed to be moral
% who say it is __ to believe in God in order to be moral and have good values
| Not necessary (online) | Necessary (online) | Not necessary (phone) | Necessary (phone) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24-30, 2025 | 68 | 31 | ||
| Apr 8-14, 2024 | 67 | 32 | ||
| Mar 21-27, 2022 | 65 | 34 | ||
| Nov 19, 2019-June 3, 2020 | 67 | 32 | ||
| Jan 6-19, 2020 | 65 | 35 | ||
| Sep 5-16, 2019 | 59 | 39 | ||
| Sep 3-15, 2019 | 63 | 36 | ||
| May 13-June 18, 2019 | 54 | 44 | ||
| Dec 4-18, 2017 | 66 | 33 | ||
| Jun 8-Jul 9, 2017 | 56 | 42 | ||
| Jul 7-Aug 4, 2014 | 58 | 42 | ||
| Jan 23-Mar 16, 2014 | 53 | 45 | ||
| Mar 25-Apr 14, 2011 | 46 | 53 | ||
| Feb 22-Mar 14, 2011 | 49 | 48 | ||
| April 23-May 6, 2007 | 41 | 57 | ||
| Dec, 2004 | 46 | 50 | ||
| Aug 19-Sept 8, 2002 | 40 | 58 | ||
| March, 2002 | 50 | 47 |
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. The dots in the graphic are placed at the midpoint of each survey’s field dates.
Source: Spring 2025 Global Attitudes Survey.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
