Most in Western Europe say belief in God not needed to be moral

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July 17, 2020

The Global God Divide

Most in Western Europe say belief in God not needed to be moral

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Most in Western Europe say belief in God not needed to be moral

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The Global God Divide
Majorities in emerging economies connect belief in God and morality
Many say religion is important and God plays an important role in their lives, less consensus on belief in God and morality
Countries with higher GDP per capita less likely to tie belief in God to morality
Wide age gaps in most countries on whether belief in God is morally necessary
Those on the ideological right more likely to say belief in God is necessary
Europeans somewhat mixed on the importance of religion, but overall less committed
In most countries, a majority say God plays an important role in their life
Religiously unaffiliated people are much less inclined to see God as important in their lives
Morality and belief in God by religious affiliation
Economic categorization
Importance of God has declined in many European nations since 1991, but has increased in former Soviet Union
Those with more education less likely to see belief in God as necessary
Those with higher incomes less likely to see belief in God as necessary
Connection between belief in God and morality over time

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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