Belief in God among independents and those who don't lean to either party
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they…
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 | 62% | 20% | 5% | 1% | 9% | 3% | 5,658 |
2007 | 68% | 17% | 4% | 1% | 5% | 5% | 5,770 |
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party by religious group
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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% | 29% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1,158 |
Evangelical Protestant | 87% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,230 |
Historically Black Protestant | 85% | 12% | < 1% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | 184 |
Jehovah's Witness | 94% | 6% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 188 |
Mainline Protestant | 64% | 25% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 822 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 34% | 22% | 10% | 1% | 27% | 6% | 1,474 |
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 21% | 39% | 25% | 15% | 3,348 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 27% | 40% | 21% | 11% | 1,077 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 35% | 16% | 9% | 268 |
Do not believe in God | 44% | 35% | 16% | 6% | 457 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 31% | 32% | 24% | 13% | 168 |
Generational cohort among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 12% | 16% | 32% | 30% | 10% | 1% | 3,348 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 21% | 32% | 25% | 6% | 1% | 1,077 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 23% | 26% | 19% | 6% | 1% | 268 |
Do not believe in God | 29% | 23% | 27% | 18% | 3% | < 1% | 457 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 21% | 23% | 29% | 7% | 1% | 168 |
Gender composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 56% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 50% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 62% | 38% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 71% | 29% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 68% | 32% | 193 |
Racial and ethnic composition among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 56% | 11% | 4% | 22% | 6% | 3,412 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 4% | 3% | 33% | 4% | 1,091 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 60% | 6% | 5% | 24% | 5% | 272 |
Do not believe in God | 67% | 3% | 13% | 15% | 3% | 458 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 81% | 2% | 3% | 9% | 5% | 170 |
Immigrant status among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 23% | 9% | 69% | 3,413 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 8% | 61% | 1,083 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 13% | 64% | 271 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 14% | 68% | 458 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 9% | 79% | 176 |
Income distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 49% | 21% | 20% | 10% | 2,664 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 52% | 18% | 19% | 12% | 890 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 17% | 23% | 16% | 226 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 18% | 26% | 15% | 398 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 44% | 15% | 23% | 18% | 123 |
Educational distribution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 51% | 31% | 11% | 6% | 3,461 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 56% | 28% | 10% | 6% | 1,100 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 51% | 29% | 15% | 5% | 272 |
Do not believe in God | 48% | 29% | 15% | 8% | 470 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 34% | 37% | 21% | 8% | 187 |
Marital status among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 7% | 16% | 7% | 22% | 3,485 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 13% | 13% | 4% | 27% | 1,103 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 12% | 11% | 4% | 44% | 272 |
Do not believe in God | 32% | 12% | 10% | 2% | 44% | 470 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 44% | 7% | 14% | 1% | 33% | 176 |
Parent of children under 18 among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 34% | 66% | 3,497 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 64% | 1,107 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 76% | 274 |
Do not believe in God | 26% | 74% | 470 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 24% | 76% | 189 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 70% | 21% | 4% | 4% | 1% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 33% | 42% | 18% | 7% | 1% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 12% | 33% | 34% | 20% | 1% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 10% | 18% | 68% | 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 18% | 26% | 32% | 8% | 193 |
Attendance at religious services among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 45% | 31% | 23% | 1% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 40% | 40% | < 1% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 34% | 57% | 1% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 13% | 85% | 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 24% | 58% | 9% | 193 |
Frequency of prayer among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 71% | 14% | 4% | 9% | 2% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 22% | 11% | 29% | 1% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 13% | 15% | 54% | < 1% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | < 1% | 4% | 93% | < 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 6% | 6% | 61% | 11% | 193 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 34% | 10% | 9% | 45% | 1% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 14% | 7% | 7% | 72% | 1% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 5% | 3% | 86% | < 1% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | < 1% | 2% | 96% | < 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 3% | 5% | 79% | 7% | 193 |
Frequency of meditation among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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% | 6% | 3% | 37% | 3% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 11% | 5% | 50% | 2% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 14% | 5% | 59% | 1% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 6% | 5% | 66% | 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 25% | 9% | 2% | 54% | 11% | 193 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 70% | 12% | 6% | 10% | 2% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 45% | 18% | 11% | 23% | 3% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 12% | 17% | 39% | 1% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 32% | 9% | 7% | 49% | 3% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 39% | 14% | 8% | 29% | 10% | 193 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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% | 12% | 10% | 26% | 3% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 15% | 15% | 26% | 2% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 12% | 12% | 28% | 2% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 45% | 9% | 10% | 34% | 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 46% | 13% | 11% | 22% | 7% | 193 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 43% | 7% | 40% | 5% | 5% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 12% | 55% | 11% | 3% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 21% | 59% | 9% | 3% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 16% | 55% | 26% | 2% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 11% | 60% | 10% | 11% | 193 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 34% | 61% | 2% | 2% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 22% | 73% | 2% | 2% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 73% | 1% | 2% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 78% | 1% | 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 76% | 5% | 3% | 193 |
Frequency of reading scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 49% | 10% | 8% | 31% | 2% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 8% | 9% | 64% | 1% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 10% | 6% | 79% | < 1% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 2% | 5% | 91% | < 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 12% | 8% | 4% | 68% | 8% | 193 |
Interpreting scripture among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 41% | 27% | 6% | 16% | 10% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 22% | 25% | 2% | 41% | 10% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 6% | 15% | 1% | 67% | 11% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 3% | < 1% | 89% | 7% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 8% | 2% | 52% | 32% | 193 |
Belief in Heaven among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 81% | 11% | 9% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 71% | 19% | 10% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 44% | 34% | 21% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 7% | 89% | 5% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 36% | 41% | 193 |
Belief in Hell among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 63% | 27% | 10% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 51% | 38% | 11% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 41% | 20% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 90% | 5% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 42% | 36% | 193 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Political ideology among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 29% | 31% | 17% | 23% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 23% | 36% | 25% | 17% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 42% | 21% | 19% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 11% | 40% | 27% | 21% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 38% | 19% | 30% | 193 |
Views about size of government among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 45% | 42% | 5% | 8% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 44% | 48% | 4% | 5% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 50% | 40% | 4% | 7% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 58% | 33% | 5% | 4% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 49% | 26% | 9% | 16% | 193 |
Views about government aid to the poor among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 42% | 48% | 6% | 4% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 49% | 6% | 3% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 40% | 47% | 8% | 5% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 40% | 51% | 5% | 3% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 43% | 42% | 8% | 7% | 193 |
Views about abortion among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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% | 52% | 8% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 53% | 40% | 6% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 65% | 28% | 7% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 74% | 18% | 8% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 60% | 27% | 13% | 193 |
Views about homosexuality among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 49% | 37% | 7% | 7% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 73% | 17% | 6% | 4% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 79% | 11% | 4% | 6% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 83% | 10% | 4% | 3% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 65% | 18% | 8% | 9% | 193 |
Views about same-sex marriage among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 40% | 45% | 15% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 63% | 24% | 13% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 72% | 15% | 12% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 82% | 10% | 8% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 61% | 21% | 17% | 193 |
Views about environmental regulation among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 36% | 53% | 5% | 7% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 56% | 3% | 5% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 55% | 4% | 4% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 65% | 4% | 5% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 32% | 51% | 5% | 12% | 193 |
Views about human evolution among independents and those who don't lean to either party by belief in God
% of independents and those who don't lean to either party 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 | 16% | 27% | 5% | 43% | 8% | 3,530 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 23% | 6% | 23% | 7% | 1,114 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 58% | 15% | 7% | 14% | 6% | 276 |
Do not believe in God | 79% | 7% | 3% | 10% | 1% | 473 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 53% | 8% | 18% | 14% | 8% | 193 |