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 | 69% | 19% | 4% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 15,591 |
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 adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by religious group
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 66% | 26% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 3,398 |
Evangelical Protestant | 89% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,997 |
Historically Black Protestant | 89% | 10% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 502 |
Jewish | 49% | 29% | 13% | < 1% | 7% | 2% | 228 |
Mainline Protestant | 69% | 25% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,822 |
Mormon | 90% | 9% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 418 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 31% | 24% | 12% | 1% | 27% | 5% | 2,566 |
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
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 16% | 34% | 29% | 20% | 10,682 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 23% | 37% | 25% | 15% | 2,771 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 34% | 18% | 12% | 582 |
Do not believe in God | 39% | 34% | 15% | 12% | 888 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 38% | 21% | 13% | 261 |
Generational cohort among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 10% | 12% | 29% | 35% | 14% | 1% | 10,682 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 15% | 30% | 29% | 10% | 1% | 2,771 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 18% | 28% | 21% | 8% | 1% | 582 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 20% | 25% | 18% | 7% | 1% | 888 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 15% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 11% | 1% | 261 |
Gender composition among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 52% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 42% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 66% | 34% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 51% | 49% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 70% | 30% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 71% | 29% | 276 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 74% | 9% | 2% | 11% | 3% | 10,729 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 4% | 4% | 19% | 2% | 2,795 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 64% | 4% | 9% | 20% | 3% | 578 |
Do not believe in God | 78% | 2% | 7% | 10% | 3% | 891 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 83% | 2% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 264 |
Immigrant status among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 11% | 8% | 81% | 10,792 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 10% | 72% | 2,782 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 13% | 66% | 583 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 14% | 73% | 888 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 8% | 82% | 267 |
Income distribution among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 27% | 22% | 31% | 20% | 9,387 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 20% | 30% | 21% | 2,480 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 18% | 28% | 22% | 535 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 20% | 34% | 24% | 814 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 17% | 32% | 31% | 225 |
Educational distribution among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 41% | 34% | 17% | 8% | 10,855 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 31% | 16% | 9% | 2,804 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 31% | 14% | 10% | 585 |
Believe in God; don't know | 59% | 20% | 11% | 11% | 100 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 897 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 35% | 34% | 19% | 12% | 273 |
Marital status among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 59% | 5% | 11% | 7% | 18% | 10,860 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 9% | 11% | 5% | 23% | 2,803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 11% | 8% | 3% | 37% | 584 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 9% | 8% | 3% | 40% | 898 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 48% | 9% | 14% | 3% | 25% | 267 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 31% | 69% | 10,863 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 69% | 2,806 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 75% | 586 |
Believe in God; don't know | 19% | 81% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 25% | 75% | 899 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 73% | 272 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 48% | 20% | 6% | < 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 10% | 29% | 40% | 21% | < 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 49% | 20% | 9% | 17% | 5% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 8% | 22% | 68% | < 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 21% | 31% | 36% | 3% | 276 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 52% | 32% | 16% | < 1% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 45% | 37% | < 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 36% | 60% | < 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 36% | 29% | 33% | 2% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 16% | 81% | < 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 23% | 66% | 5% | 276 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 75% | 15% | 4% | 6% | 1% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 26% | 13% | 29% | < 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 15% | 10% | 13% | 62% | < 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 43% | 11% | 8% | 28% | 10% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 1% | 4% | 93% | < 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 11% | 6% | 4% | 73% | 7% | 276 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 36% | 11% | 10% | 43% | 1% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 10% | 7% | 8% | 75% | < 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 3% | 6% | 3% | 88% | < 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 16% | 7% | 13% | 56% | 8% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 1% | 2% | 96% | < 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 1% | 4% | 86% | 4% | 276 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 46% | 7% | 3% | 42% | 2% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 11% | 5% | 57% | 2% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 9% | 6% | 66% | 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 53% | 8% | 2% | 32% | 5% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 15% | 6% | 3% | 75% | 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 18% | 8% | 3% | 66% | 5% | 276 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 20% | 15% | 24% | 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 15% | 12% | 44% | 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 51% | 5% | 18% | 18% | 8% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 12% | 9% | 49% | 2% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 33% | 13% | 8% | 38% | 8% | 276 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 45% | 16% | 11% | 26% | 2% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 16% | 17% | 28% | 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 40% | 14% | 14% | 31% | 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 51% | 3% | 15% | 25% | 6% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 15% | 15% | 30% | < 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 41% | 17% | 12% | 27% | 4% | 276 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 51% | 6% | 37% | 4% | 2% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 10% | 63% | 11% | 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 17% | 64% | 13% | < 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 22% | 13% | 55% | 3% | 6% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 15% | 60% | 22% | 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 14% | 63% | 14% | 4% | 276 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 50% | 48% | 1% | 1% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 67% | 1% | 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 73% | < 1% | 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 44% | 47% | 2% | 7% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 77% | 1% | < 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 74% | 3% | 1% | 276 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 51% | 12% | 8% | 28% | 1% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 14% | 9% | 10% | 67% | 1% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 7% | 6% | 81% | < 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 30% | 6% | 6% | 48% | 10% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 2% | 2% | 93% | < 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 3% | 5% | 79% | 4% | 276 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 45% | 34% | 4% | 12% | 6% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 32% | 2% | 44% | 7% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 13% | < 1% | 75% | 5% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 33% | 12% | 8% | 29% | 19% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 93% | 4% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 3% | 6% | 2% | 69% | 20% | 276 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 88% | 7% | 6% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 74% | 18% | 8% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 47% | 43% | 10% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 61% | 22% | 17% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 8% | 88% | 4% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 35% | 45% | 276 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 76% | 17% | 7% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 36% | 9% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 55% | 8% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 44% | 36% | 21% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 7% | 90% | 3% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 50% | 33% | 276 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 62% | 15% | 23% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 19% | 30% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 20% | 35% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 41% | 31% | 28% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 43% | 24% | 33% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 52% | 31% | 17% | 276 |
Political ideology among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 58% | 26% | 10% | 5% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 38% | 17% | 6% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 44% | 22% | 6% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 50% | 27% | 12% | 10% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 40% | 25% | 8% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 35% | 40% | 12% | 14% | 276 |
Views about size of government among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 74% | 22% | 2% | 2% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 68% | 29% | 2% | 2% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 66% | 30% | 2% | 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 61% | 31% | 4% | 4% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 73% | 24% | 1% | 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 79% | 13% | 4% | 4% | 276 |
Views about abortion among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 35% | 62% | 3% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 37% | 4% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 67% | 29% | 4% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 34% | 48% | 18% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 81% | 16% | 3% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 69% | 27% | 4% | 276 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 44% | 49% | 4% | 3% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 23% | 4% | 3% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 75% | 20% | 3% | 3% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 48% | 35% | 8% | 9% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 84% | 11% | 3% | 1% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 72% | 18% | 6% | 4% | 276 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 32% | 60% | 7% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 32% | 10% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 67% | 25% | 8% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 34% | 43% | 23% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 78% | 16% | 6% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 65% | 25% | 10% | 276 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 56% | 40% | 2% | 2% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 47% | 49% | 2% | 2% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 46% | 50% | 2% | 1% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 49% | 31% | 3% | 17% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 39% | 58% | 2% | 2% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 51% | 40% | 4% | 6% | 276 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in God
% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good 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 | 14% | 29% | 3% | 51% | 4% | 10,908 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 27% | 5% | 24% | 3% | 2,817 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 12% | 5% | 17% | 2% | 589 |
Believe in God; don't know | 26% | 16% | 12% | 30% | 16% | 101 |
Do not believe in God | 82% | 6% | 1% | 9% | 2% | 900 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 69% | 8% | 11% | 9% | 4% | 276 |