Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201465%27%8%15,591
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 Hell 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 …in hell

Religious traditionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Catholic67%26%7%3,398
Evangelical Protestant84%10%7%4,997
Historically Black Protestant83%11%6%502
Jewish36%59%5%228
Mainline Protestant67%24%9%2,822
Mormon65%28%7%418
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")33%59%9%2,566
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are ages…

Belief in Hell18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Believe19%35%28%18%9,845
Don't believe24%34%24%18%4,212
Other/don't know14%33%30%23%1,224
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…

Belief in HellYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Believe12%13%29%33%12%1%9,845
Don't believe15%15%28%29%12%1%4,212
Other/don't know7%11%28%35%17%1%1,224
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…

Belief in HellMenWomenSample size
Believe51%49%10,022
Don't believe55%45%4,290
Other/don't know51%49%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who identify as…

Belief in HellWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Believe73%8%3%13%3%9,903
Don't believe73%5%5%14%3%4,225
Other/don't know74%7%4%12%4%1,227
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…

Belief in HellImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Believe11%8%80%9,908
Don't believe15%12%73%4,249
Other/don't know13%9%78%1,254
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who have a household income of…

Belief in HellLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Believe28%22%31%19%8,729
Don't believe25%20%31%24%3,766
Other/don't know27%20%32%21%1,023
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who have completed…

Belief in HellHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Believe43%34%16%7%9,973
Don't believe40%31%18%11%4,272
Other/don't know36%35%18%11%1,269
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…

Belief in HellMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Believe57%5%11%6%20%9,986
Don't believe50%8%11%6%25%4,265
Other/don't know57%6%11%7%18%1,260
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…

Belief in HellParentsNon-parentsSample size
Believe31%69%9,985
Don't believe27%73%4,278
Other/don't know26%74%1,264
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

Belief in God among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say they…

Belief in HellBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Believe80%16%2%< 1%1%< 1%10,022
Don't believe43%25%9%1%20%3%4,290
Other/don't know61%22%5%2%2%8%1,279
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.

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 hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say religion is…

Belief in HellVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Believe69%24%5%2%< 1%10,022
Don't believe31%27%19%23%< 1%4,290
Other/don't know52%26%11%8%3%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who attend religious services…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe48%34%18%< 1%10,022
Don't believe20%33%47%< 1%4,290
Other/don't know35%32%31%2%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who pray…

Belief in HellAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe69%16%5%9%< 1%10,022
Don't believe35%15%7%42%< 1%4,290
Other/don't know54%17%5%21%4%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who attend prayer group…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe33%12%10%45%< 1%10,022
Don't believe13%6%6%76%< 1%4,290
Other/don't know24%7%6%61%2%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who meditate…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe42%8%4%46%2%10,022
Don't believe32%8%4%54%1%4,290
Other/don't know39%7%4%45%5%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% 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 HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe66%15%9%10%1%10,022
Don't believe48%15%10%25%1%4,290
Other/don't know58%12%9%17%3%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% 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 HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe43%16%12%27%2%10,022
Don't believe44%15%13%27%1%4,290
Other/don't know44%16%12%24%4%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% 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 HellReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Believe48%6%40%5%2%10,022
Don't believe17%12%58%12%1%4,290
Other/don't know33%9%47%6%4%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say…

Belief in HellThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe48%49%1%1%10,022
Don't believe31%67%1%1%4,290
Other/don't know41%56%2%2%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who read scripture…

Belief in HellAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Believe47%12%9%33%1%10,022
Don't believe20%7%7%66%1%4,290
Other/don't know35%10%8%45%2%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say the holy scripture is…

Belief in HellWord 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
Believe44%34%3%13%5%10,022
Don't believe13%22%1%57%6%4,290
Other/don't know27%23%5%28%16%1,279
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 Heaven among adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …in heaven

Belief in HellBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Believe95%2%3%10,022
Don't believe43%51%6%4,290
Other/don't know47%4%49%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who identify as…

Belief in HellRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Believe61%15%24%10,022
Don't believe50%21%29%4,290
Other/don't know55%23%22%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who are…

Belief in HellConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Believe57%27%11%5%10,022
Don't believe36%38%18%7%4,290
Other/don't know53%27%11%9%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who would rather have…

Belief in HellSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Believe73%24%2%2%10,022
Don't believe73%23%2%2%4,290
Other/don't know74%19%2%4%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say abortion should be…

Belief in HellLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Believe36%61%3%10,022
Don't believe63%33%4%4,290
Other/don't know42%50%8%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say homosexuality…

Belief in HellShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Believe46%48%4%3%10,022
Don't believe72%22%4%2%4,290
Other/don't know50%36%7%7%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who …same-sex marriage

Belief in HellStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Believe34%59%7%10,022
Don't believe62%29%8%4,290
Other/don't know39%47%15%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say…

Belief in HellStricter 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
Believe55%41%2%2%10,022
Don't believe46%50%2%2%4,290
Other/don't know54%36%4%6%1,279
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 say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good by belief in hell

% of adults who say that government aid to the poor does more harm than good who say humans…

Belief in HellEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Believe17%28%2%48%4%10,022
Don't believe48%20%4%25%3%4,290
Other/don't know26%21%8%36%9%1,279
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.