Survey year | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 61% | 20% | 5% | 1% | 11% | 3% | 24,900 |
2007 | 70% | 18% | 4% | 1% | 5% | 3% | 27,309 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Belief in God among whites by religious group
% of whites who say they…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 22% | 34% | 2% | 1% | 35% | 6% | 141 |
Catholic | 67% | 25% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 4,827 |
Evangelical Protestant | 89% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 6,633 |
Jewish | 33% | 29% | 14% | 1% | 18% | 5% | 782 |
Mainline Protestant | 65% | 26% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 5,322 |
Mormon | 87% | 9% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 575 |
Orthodox Christian | 58% | 29% | 8% | < 1% | 4% | 1% | 153 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 21% | 23% | 12% | 1% | 38% | 7% | 5,490 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Switch Display To: religious group among whites by belief in God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among whites by belief in God
% of whites who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 14% | 30% | 31% | 25% | 14,763 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 34% | 27% | 19% | 4,847 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 32% | 23% | 16% | 1,311 |
Believe in God; don't know | 12% | 16% | 27% | 45% | 167 |
Do not believe in God | 34% | 35% | 18% | 13% | 2,718 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 26% | 33% | 23% | 18% | 664 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by age group
Generational cohort among whites by belief in God
% of whites who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 9% | 10% | 26% | 38% | 16% | 2% | 14,763 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 12% | 14% | 28% | 33% | 12% | 1% | 4,847 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 17% | 19% | 26% | 28% | 10% | 1% | 1,311 |
Believe in God; don't know | 7% | 9% | 11% | 31% | 31% | 10% | 167 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 20% | 26% | 23% | 8% | 1% | 2,718 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 19% | 26% | 28% | 12% | 2% | 664 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by generational group
Gender composition among whites by belief in God
% of whites who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 56% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 48% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 58% | 42% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 51% | 49% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 65% | 35% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 60% | 40% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by gender
Immigrant status among whites by belief in God
% of whites who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 4% | 7% | 90% | 14,909 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 4% | 7% | 88% | 4,884 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 7% | 10% | 83% | 1,324 |
Believe in God; don't know | 7% | 7% | 86% | 170 |
Do not believe in God | 6% | 11% | 83% | 2,725 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 8% | 88% | 683 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by immigrant status
Income distribution among whites by belief in God
% of whites who have a household income of…
Belief in God | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 29% | 21% | 30% | 19% | 12,970 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 20% | 30% | 25% | 4,383 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 16% | 28% | 29% | 1,218 |
Believe in God; don't know | 38% | 20% | 27% | 15% | 115 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 17% | 31% | 30% | 2,531 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 25% | 16% | 29% | 29% | 570 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by household income
Educational distribution among whites by belief in God
% of whites who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 40% | 33% | 17% | 10% | 14,962 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 32% | 20% | 14% | 4,910 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 27% | 23% | 18% | 1,327 |
Believe in God; don't know | 45% | 29% | 12% | 14% | 172 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 30% | 26% | 18% | 2,739 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 33% | 23% | 17% | 693 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by educational group
Marital status among whites by belief in God
% of whites who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 58% | 5% | 13% | 9% | 15% | 14,974 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 51% | 9% | 12% | 6% | 21% | 4,908 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 44% | 11% | 10% | 5% | 31% | 1,326 |
Believe in God; don't know | 42% | 9% | 20% | 18% | 12% | 173 |
Do not believe in God | 41% | 12% | 10% | 3% | 35% | 2,740 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 45% | 8% | 11% | 6% | 30% | 683 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among whites by belief in God
% of whites who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 27% | 73% | 14,986 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 73% | 4,914 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 76% | 1,329 |
Believe in God; don't know | 11% | 89% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 79% | 2,738 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 78% | 690 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say religion is…
Belief in God | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 73% | 21% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 49% | 24% | 8% | 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 28% | 42% | 23% | < 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 41% | 29% | 9% | 12% | 9% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 7% | 21% | 69% | < 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 18% | 35% | 37% | 3% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among whites by belief in God
% of whites who attend religious services…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 32% | 18% | 1% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 42% | 43% | < 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 34% | 61% | < 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 27% | 31% | 39% | 3% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 15% | 83% | < 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 26% | 67% | 3% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among whites by belief in God
% of whites who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 74% | 16% | 4% | 6% | 1% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 26% | 13% | 33% | 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 13% | 14% | 9% | 64% | < 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 39% | 11% | 7% | 30% | 14% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 2% | 3% | 94% | < 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 6% | 5% | 74% | 4% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among whites by belief in God
% of whites who attend prayer group…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 33% | 10% | 10% | 47% | < 1% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 7% | 5% | 7% | 81% | < 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 2% | 3% | 4% | 92% | < 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 12% | 5% | 7% | 65% | 12% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 2% | 96% | < 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 3% | 3% | 2% | 89% | 2% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among whites by belief in God
% of whites who meditate…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 7% | 3% | 43% | 2% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 11% | 5% | 57% | 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 11% | 7% | 60% | 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 41% | 9% | 1% | 41% | 8% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 8% | 6% | 68% | < 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 9% | 5% | 60% | 3% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among whites by belief in God
% of whites who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 71% | 13% | 7% | 7% | 1% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 21% | 16% | 25% | 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 17% | 15% | 38% | 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 49% | 8% | 11% | 21% | 12% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 16% | 9% | 46% | 2% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 37% | 13% | 10% | 33% | 7% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among whites by belief in God
% of whites who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 16% | 12% | 25% | 2% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 18% | 17% | 24% | 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 17% | 14% | 23% | < 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 46% | 8% | 8% | 31% | 7% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 46% | 18% | 13% | 22% | 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 47% | 18% | 13% | 19% | 3% | 695 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Belief in God | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 7% | 38% | 4% | 3% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 10% | 15% | 63% | 10% | 2% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 2% | 20% | 61% | 15% | 2% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 11% | 15% | 58% | 5% | 12% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 19% | 53% | 25% | 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 3% | 19% | 57% | 15% | 5% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say…
Belief in God | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 52% | 1% | 1% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 73% | 1% | < 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 20% | 78% | 1% | 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 29% | 66% | 2% | 4% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 82% | 1% | 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 80% | 2% | 2% | 695 |
Frequency of reading scripture among whites by belief in God
% of whites who read scripture…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 12% | 9% | 31% | 1% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 9% | 9% | 10% | 72% | < 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 5% | 6% | 85% | < 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 22% | 6% | 7% | 58% | 6% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 3% | 4% | 91% | < 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 4% | 5% | 81% | 2% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say the holy scripture is…
Belief in God | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 40% | 36% | 4% | 14% | 6% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 7% | 30% | 1% | 54% | 9% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 3% | 9% | < 1% | 81% | 7% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 25% | 12% | 8% | 32% | 22% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 95% | 3% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 4% | 1% | 75% | 18% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among whites by belief in God
% of whites who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 87% | 7% | 6% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 68% | 23% | 9% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 49% | 15% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 59% | 22% | 19% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 92% | 3% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 48% | 36% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among whites by belief in God
% of whites who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 73% | 20% | 7% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 45% | 10% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 66% | 11% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 44% | 35% | 21% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 94% | 3% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 12% | 60% | 28% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among whites by belief in God
% of whites who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 57% | 16% | 28% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 16% | 45% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 16% | 58% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 31% | 32% | 36% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 15% | 66% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 24% | 48% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by political party
Political ideology among whites by belief in God
% of whites who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 51% | 30% | 14% | 6% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 41% | 27% | 5% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 17% | 40% | 38% | 5% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 33% | 26% | 25% | 16% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 31% | 52% | 5% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 18% | 37% | 34% | 11% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by political ideology
Views about size of government among whites by belief in God
% of whites who would rather have…
Belief in God | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 68% | 26% | 3% | 4% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 35% | 3% | 3% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 48% | 43% | 4% | 5% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 48% | 28% | 8% | 16% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 45% | 49% | 3% | 3% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 50% | 34% | 7% | 9% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say government aid to the poor…
Belief in God | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 56% | 38% | 4% | 2% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 50% | 3% | 1% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 35% | 61% | 3% | 2% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 37% | 38% | 11% | 14% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 30% | 66% | 3% | 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 37% | 52% | 7% | 3% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by views about government aid to the poor
Views about abortion among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say abortion should be…
Belief in God | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 41% | 56% | 4% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 69% | 28% | 3% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 82% | 16% | 2% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 48% | 32% | 21% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 10% | 2% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 77% | 16% | 7% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say homosexuality…
Belief in God | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 44% | 4% | 4% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 79% | 16% | 3% | 2% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 85% | 10% | 2% | 2% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 52% | 24% | 12% | 12% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 92% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 82% | 9% | 5% | 4% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among whites by belief in God
% of whites who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 39% | 53% | 7% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 22% | 7% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 82% | 13% | 5% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 46% | 29% | 25% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 90% | 7% | 3% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 78% | 14% | 9% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say…
Belief in God | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 48% | 3% | 3% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 34% | 62% | 2% | 2% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 37% | 44% | 5% | 15% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 78% | 1% | 2% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 64% | 3% | 6% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among whites by belief in God
% of whites who say humans…
Belief in God | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 15% | 30% | 3% | 47% | 5% | 15,026 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 25% | 6% | 16% | 3% | 4,925 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 73% | 11% | 6% | 9% | 2% | 1,332 |
Believe in God; don't know | 38% | 14% | 14% | 22% | 12% | 175 |
Do not believe in God | 90% | 3% | 1% | 4% | 1% | 2,747 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 73% | 5% | 12% | 7% | 4% | 695 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among whites by views about human evolution