Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
20146%91%3%3,414
20079%87%4%1,643
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 Heaven among adults who do not believe in God by religious group

% of adults who do not believe in God who …in heaven

Religious traditionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Catholic9%88%3%114
Jewish4%89%8%161
Mainline Protestant12%81%7%111
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")4%93%3%2,736
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who are ages…

Belief in Heaven18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Believe50%33%10%7%150
Don't believe36%35%17%12%3,130
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who are…

Belief in HeavenYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Believe41%19%23%14%3%< 1%150
Don't believe24%21%26%20%8%1%3,130
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who are…

Belief in HeavenMenWomenSample size
Believe48%52%151
Don't believe66%34%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who identify as…

Belief in HeavenWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Believe65%5%14%13%4%150
Don't believe78%3%7%9%3%3,131
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who are…

Belief in HeavenImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Believe18%22%60%149
Don't believe12%15%73%3,138
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who have a household income of…

Belief in HeavenLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Believe36%30%21%13%132
Don't believe23%18%31%29%2,907
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who have completed…

Belief in HeavenHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Believe43%35%13%8%151
Don't believe27%29%26%18%3,161
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who are…

Belief in HeavenMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Believe27%11%6%3%53%151
Don't believe40%11%9%2%38%3,161
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who are…

Belief in HeavenParentsNon-parentsSample size
Believe21%79%151
Don't believe22%78%3,160
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

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say religion is…

Belief in HeavenVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Believe13%22%29%35%< 1%151
Don't believe2%7%22%68%1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who attend religious services…

Belief in HeavenAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe8%32%60%< 1%151
Don't believe2%16%82%< 1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who pray…

Belief in HeavenAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe8%9%12%71%< 1%151
Don't believe2%1%2%95%< 1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who attend prayer group…

Belief in HeavenAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe3%4%5%88%< 1%151
Don't believe1%1%2%96%< 1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who meditate…

Belief in HeavenAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe22%8%3%66%< 1%151
Don't believe18%8%5%68%1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Belief in HeavenAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe31%14%9%45%1%151
Don't believe30%15%9%44%2%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Belief in HeavenAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe35%12%11%43%< 1%151
Don't believe46%18%14%22%1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Belief in HeavenReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Believe8%10%58%22%2%151
Don't believe1%20%51%27%1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say…

Belief in HeavenThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe18%81%< 1%1%151
Don't believe16%82%1%1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who read scripture…

Belief in HeavenAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe6%6%2%86%< 1%151
Don't believe2%3%5%91%< 1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say the holy scripture is…

Belief in HeavenWord 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
Believe9%7%1%77%5%151
Don't believe< 1%1%< 1%96%3%3,171
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 Hell among adults who do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who …in hell

Belief in HeavenBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Believe56%40%4%151
Don't believe1%98%< 1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who identify as…

Belief in HeavenRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Believe30%20%49%151
Don't believe17%17%66%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who are…

Belief in HeavenConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Believe19%36%33%12%151
Don't believe12%31%52%5%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who would rather have…

Belief in HeavenSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Believe44%49%< 1%7%151
Don't believe43%51%3%3%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say government aid to the poor…

Belief in HeavenDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe41%55%2%2%151
Don't believe28%68%3%1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say abortion should be…

Belief in HeavenLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Believe71%26%3%151
Don't believe87%10%3%3,171
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 homosexuality among adults who do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say homosexuality…

Belief in HeavenShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe82%16%2%< 1%151
Don't believe92%5%2%1%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who …same-sex marriage

Belief in HeavenStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Believe76%18%6%151
Don't believe90%7%3%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say…

Belief in HeavenStricter 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
Believe27%70%1%2%151
Don't believe19%78%2%2%3,171
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 do not believe in God by belief in heaven

% of adults who do not believe in God who say humans…

Belief in HeavenEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Believe66%12%4%15%3%151
Don't believe89%3%1%5%1%3,171
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.