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 | 66% | 20% | 5% | 1% | 7% | 2% | 8,366 |
2007 | 74% | 17% | 3% | < 1% | 4% | 2% | 10,705 |
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 parents by religious group
% of parents 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 61% | 31% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,761 |
Evangelical Protestant | 88% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,175 |
Historically Black Protestant | 91% | 7% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 487 |
Jewish | 44% | 27% | 13% | < 1% | 10% | 5% | 184 |
Mainline Protestant | 66% | 28% | 3% | < 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,218 |
Mormon | 88% | 8% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 242 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 32% | 25% | 10% | < 1% | 28% | 5% | 1,744 |
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 parents by belief in God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among parents by belief in God
% of parents who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 16% | 68% | 14% | 2% | 5,294 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 67% | 15% | 1% | 1,701 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 72% | 9% | 1% | 392 |
Do not believe in God | 13% | 74% | 10% | 2% | 673 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 65% | 14% | 2% | 154 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by age group
Generational cohort among parents by belief in God
% of parents who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 6% | 23% | 55% | 15% | 1% | < 1% | 5,294 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 6% | 24% | 55% | 15% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,701 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 23% | 60% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | 392 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 23% | 60% | 11% | 1% | < 1% | 673 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 29% | 49% | 14% | < 1% | < 1% | 154 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by generational group
Gender composition among parents by belief in God
% of parents who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 40% | 60% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 46% | 54% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 54% | 46% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 59% | 41% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 57% | 43% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among parents by belief in God
% of parents who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 57% | 16% | 3% | 19% | 4% | 5,308 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 5% | 4% | 28% | 3% | 1,712 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 62% | 6% | 7% | 24% | 1% | 392 |
Do not believe in God | 76% | 2% | 7% | 11% | 4% | 676 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 76% | 7% | 3% | 8% | 5% | 153 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among parents by belief in God
% of parents who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 18% | 8% | 74% | 5,303 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 7% | 64% | 1,700 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 7% | 66% | 394 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 11% | 71% | 673 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 5% | 79% | 154 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by immigrant status
Income distribution among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 33% | 20% | 28% | 19% | 4,948 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 15% | 26% | 24% | 1,592 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 19% | 19% | 31% | 366 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 12% | 33% | 37% | 647 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 14% | 37% | 30% | 142 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by household income
Educational distribution among parents by belief in God
% of parents who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 37% | 34% | 18% | 10% | 5,352 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 29% | 17% | 13% | 1,716 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 24% | 20% | 19% | 395 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 26% | 24% | 24% | 678 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 33% | 27% | 16% | 157 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by educational group
Marital status among parents by belief in God
% of parents who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 66% | 7% | 12% | 2% | 12% | 5,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 65% | 13% | 11% | 1% | 10% | 1,719 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 12% | 9% | 2% | 11% | 396 |
Do not believe in God | 73% | 10% | 9% | 1% | 7% | 678 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 70% | 7% | 15% | < 1% | 9% | 155 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by marital status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 75% | 20% | 3% | 2% | < 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 46% | 17% | 6% | < 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 14% | 34% | 35% | 16% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 8% | 21% | 67% | < 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 22% | 36% | 31% | 1% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 50% | 35% | 14% | < 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 45% | 35% | < 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 7% | 43% | 49% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 15% | 82% | < 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 32% | 58% | 1% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among parents by belief in God
% of parents who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 76% | 15% | 4% | 5% | < 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 27% | 11% | 25% | < 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 20% | 14% | 13% | 53% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 2% | 2% | 93% | < 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 12% | 7% | 5% | 74% | 2% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 37% | 14% | 10% | 39% | < 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 11% | 10% | 9% | 69% | 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 6% | 6% | 83% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 2% | 96% | < 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 3% | 8% | 83% | < 1% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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% | 4% | 44% | 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 11% | 5% | 52% | 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 12% | 5% | 60% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 9% | 4% | 66% | 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 18% | 6% | 5% | 67% | 3% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 69% | 15% | 8% | 7% | 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 19% | 15% | 21% | 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 35% | 18% | 14% | 33% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 37% | 13% | 8% | 41% | 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 39% | 11% | 8% | 33% | 9% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by frequency of feelings of spiritual wellbeing
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 44% | 17% | 12% | 25% | 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 18% | 17% | 26% | 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 41% | 17% | 18% | 24% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 42% | 19% | 15% | 24% | 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 39% | 25% | 16% | 19% | < 1% | 158 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 48% | 7% | 38% | 5% | 2% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 17% | 13% | 56% | 13% | 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 16% | 56% | 21% | 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 17% | 53% | 28% | 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 15% | 62% | 13% | 7% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by sources of guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 41% | 57% | 1% | 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 77% | 1% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 17% | 82% | 1% | < 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 18% | 79% | 2% | < 1% | 158 |
Frequency of reading scripture among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 52% | 12% | 9% | 26% | 1% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 16% | 11% | 10% | 63% | < 1% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 7% | 6% | 6% | 81% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 3% | 5% | 90% | < 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 4% | 4% | 82% | 1% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 42% | 34% | 3% | 14% | 6% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 27% | 1% | 44% | 8% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 7% | 10% | < 1% | 74% | 9% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 95% | 3% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 3% | 4% | 1% | 75% | 17% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among parents by belief in God
% of parents who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 87% | 7% | 6% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 73% | 19% | 7% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 41% | 46% | 13% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 92% | 2% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 49% | 32% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among parents by belief in God
% of parents who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 75% | 19% | 6% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 54% | 37% | 9% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 59% | 11% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 93% | 3% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 61% | 22% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among parents by belief in God
% of parents who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 43% | 20% | 37% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 23% | 45% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 17% | 55% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 20% | 61% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 26% | 27% | 47% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by political party
Political ideology among parents by belief in God
% of parents who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 31% | 17% | 7% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 38% | 29% | 5% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 42% | 36% | 3% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 33% | 48% | 8% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 38% | 35% | 11% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by political ideology
Views about size of government among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 52% | 41% | 3% | 3% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 52% | 2% | 3% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 49% | 3% | 3% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 44% | 49% | 4% | 3% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 54% | 36% | 5% | 5% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 49% | 45% | 4% | 2% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 52% | 3% | 2% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 60% | 3% | < 1% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 33% | 64% | 3% | < 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 42% | 51% | 6% | 1% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by views about government aid to the poor
Views about abortion among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 40% | 57% | 3% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 38% | 3% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 76% | 21% | 3% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 84% | 12% | 3% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 77% | 18% | 5% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 51% | 40% | 5% | 4% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 79% | 16% | 3% | 2% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 83% | 15% | 1% | 2% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 93% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 82% | 13% | 2% | 3% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among parents by belief in God
% of parents who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 42% | 50% | 8% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 68% | 24% | 7% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 76% | 19% | 5% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 91% | 6% | 2% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 83% | 10% | 6% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 41% | 53% | 2% | 3% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 33% | 62% | 2% | 3% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 65% | 2% | 2% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 77% | 2% | 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 30% | 61% | 4% | 4% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by views about environmental protection
Views about human evolution among parents by belief in God
% of parents 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 | 17% | 30% | 2% | 46% | 4% | 5,370 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 44% | 28% | 5% | 20% | 3% | 1,723 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 69% | 11% | 4% | 14% | 2% | 397 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 3% | 2% | 6% | 1% | 679 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 72% | 7% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 158 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among parents by views about human evolution