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 | 76% | 14% | 3% | 1% | 5% | 1% | 12,206 |
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 there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 71% | 23% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,385 |
Evangelical Protestant | 93% | 6% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,563 |
Historically Black Protestant | 92% | 7% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 585 |
Jehovah's Witness | 92% | 8% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 140 |
Jewish | 46% | 31% | 8% | 1% | 13% | 1% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 74% | 20% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,013 |
Mormon | 92% | 7% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 382 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 34% | 23% | 11% | 1% | 27% | 5% | 1,520 |
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 there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 34% | 32% | 21% | 9,143 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 37% | 28% | 16% | 1,675 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 38% | 26% | 14% | 356 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 39% | 19% | 14% | 541 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 42% | 27% | 17% | 139 |
Generational cohort among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 8% | 11% | 29% | 38% | 14% | 1% | 9,143 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 10% | 17% | 30% | 33% | 10% | 1% | 1,675 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 13% | 17% | 30% | 30% | 9% | 1% | 356 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 20% | 29% | 25% | 7% | 1% | 541 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 12% | 37% | 33% | 10% | 1% | 139 |
Gender composition among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 52% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 41% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 66% | 34% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 72% | 28% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 62% | 38% | 155 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 73% | 11% | 2% | 10% | 4% | 9,195 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 69% | 6% | 4% | 18% | 3% | 1,693 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 68% | 5% | 6% | 19% | 3% | 355 |
Do not believe in God | 78% | 4% | 4% | 12% | 2% | 543 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 78% | 5% | 2% | 12% | 3% | 140 |
Immigrant status among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 10% | 8% | 83% | 9,267 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 9% | 72% | 1,694 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 10% | 67% | 358 |
Do not believe in God | 12% | 13% | 74% | 540 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 12% | 78% | 148 |
Income distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 30% | 21% | 30% | 19% | 8,115 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 33% | 18% | 28% | 22% | 1,519 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 15% | 27% | 27% | 321 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 15% | 35% | 28% | 506 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 17% | 29% | 27% | 118 |
Educational distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 38% | 35% | 18% | 10% | 9,307 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 29% | 17% | 11% | 1,703 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 25% | 16% | 14% | 358 |
Do not believe in God | 34% | 30% | 23% | 13% | 544 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 30% | 35% | 19% | 17% | 149 |
Marital status among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 61% | 4% | 12% | 7% | 16% | 9,321 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 53% | 9% | 12% | 5% | 22% | 1,704 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 50% | 12% | 7% | 3% | 28% | 359 |
Do not believe in God | 42% | 11% | 9% | 3% | 35% | 543 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 49% | 5% | 17% | 9% | 20% | 149 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 31% | 69% | 9,321 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 68% | 1,705 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 72% | 358 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 78% | 544 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 24% | 76% | 151 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 82% | 14% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 46% | 18% | 5% | < 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 32% | 37% | 22% | < 1% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 9% | 21% | 66% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 23% | 24% | 32% | 5% | 155 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 60% | 28% | 12% | < 1% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 22% | 42% | 36% | 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 33% | 58% | 1% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 15% | 81% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 11% | 23% | 62% | 5% | 155 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 81% | 12% | 3% | 4% | 1% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 27% | 12% | 25% | 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 12% | 14% | 53% | < 1% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 1% | 3% | 91% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 10% | 1% | 59% | 8% | 155 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 43% | 12% | 10% | 35% | 1% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 12% | 8% | 9% | 70% | < 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 7% | 4% | 5% | 85% | < 1% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | 1% | 95% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 1% | 3% | 82% | 4% | 155 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 51% | 7% | 3% | 37% | 2% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 11% | 5% | 53% | 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 9% | 6% | 65% | 1% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 9% | 4% | 68% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 6% | 3% | 55% | 8% | 155 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 77% | 11% | 6% | 5% | 1% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 44% | 20% | 14% | 21% | 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 14% | 15% | 40% | < 1% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 28% | 15% | 8% | 47% | 2% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 47% | 9% | 6% | 28% | 9% | 155 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 49% | 16% | 11% | 23% | 2% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 17% | 16% | 24% | 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 15% | 20% | 27% | 2% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 19% | 14% | 26% | < 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 44% | 13% | 8% | 27% | 8% | 155 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 62% | 5% | 28% | 3% | 2% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 21% | 13% | 54% | 10% | 2% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 19% | 60% | 14% | 2% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 21% | 51% | 26% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 12% | 18% | 51% | 13% | 6% | 155 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 61% | 11% | 7% | 21% | 1% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 11% | 9% | 61% | 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 8% | 4% | 78% | 1% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 4% | 5% | 89% | < 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 4% | 7% | 66% | 4% | 155 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 50% | 32% | 4% | 9% | 5% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 29% | 1% | 43% | 7% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 13% | 1% | 72% | 8% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 93% | 3% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 5% | 4% | 67% | 14% | 155 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 87% | 7% | 6% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 73% | 19% | 8% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 41% | 42% | 16% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 6% | 91% | 3% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 43% | 33% | 155 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 78% | 15% | 7% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 36% | 9% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 56% | 13% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 93% | 3% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 50% | 29% | 155 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 58% | 16% | 27% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 44% | 18% | 38% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 33% | 22% | 45% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 26% | 20% | 54% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 38% | 26% | 36% | 155 |
Political ideology among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 59% | 25% | 10% | 6% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 37% | 21% | 4% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 36% | 29% | 9% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 36% | 37% | 7% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 31% | 31% | 24% | 13% | 155 |
Views about size of government among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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% | 27% | 2% | 3% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 59% | 36% | 2% | 3% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 52% | 40% | 4% | 4% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 54% | 42% | 3% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 61% | 30% | 3% | 6% | 155 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 60% | 34% | 4% | 2% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 41% | 3% | 1% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 47% | 48% | 1% | 3% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 56% | 2% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 45% | 40% | 12% | 3% | 155 |
Views about abortion among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 31% | 65% | 4% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 56% | 41% | 3% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 73% | 23% | 4% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 82% | 14% | 4% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 67% | 25% | 9% | 155 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 37% | 55% | 4% | 4% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 70% | 23% | 3% | 3% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 76% | 18% | 2% | 4% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 87% | 9% | 3% | 2% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 67% | 23% | 9% | 1% | 155 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 28% | 65% | 7% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 33% | 9% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 70% | 24% | 6% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 83% | 11% | 7% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 60% | 31% | 10% | 155 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 51% | 44% | 3% | 3% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 54% | 1% | 2% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 36% | 58% | 4% | 2% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 29% | 68% | 1% | 2% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 40% | 54% | 3% | 3% | 155 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by belief in God
% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong 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 | 10% | 27% | 2% | 57% | 4% | 9,361 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 26% | 4% | 23% | 3% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 60% | 15% | 7% | 14% | 4% | 361 |
Do not believe in God | 85% | 5% | 2% | 8% | 1% | 547 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 69% | 3% | 8% | 16% | 3% | 155 |