Belief in Hell among adults who do not believe in Heaven
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who …in hell
Chart
Trends
Table
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Survey year
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
2014
7%
92%
1%
7,973
2007
9%
89%
2%
6,275
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 Hell among adults who do not believe in Heaven by religious group
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who …in hell
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Religious tradition
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Buddhist
6%
94%
< 1%
151
Catholic
10%
88%
2%
709
Evangelical Protestant
37%
57%
6%
503
Jewish
2%
97%
1%
461
Mainline Protestant
12%
86%
2%
861
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")
3%
97%
1%
4,429
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.
Age distribution among adults who do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are ages…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Believe
26%
32%
28%
14%
450
Don't believe
28%
35%
22%
15%
7,300
Other/don't know
12%
31%
36%
21%
104
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Younger Millennial
Older Millennial
Generation X
Baby Boomer
Silent
Greatest
Sample size
Believe
17%
16%
26%
31%
9%
2%
450
Don't believe
18%
19%
27%
27%
9%
1%
7,300
Other/don't know
7%
15%
21%
40%
13%
4%
104
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Men
Women
Sample size
Believe
52%
48%
456
Don't believe
59%
41%
7,410
Other/don't know
60%
40%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who identify as…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Believe
61%
11%
4%
20%
4%
449
Don't believe
73%
5%
6%
13%
4%
7,296
Other/don't know
64%
6%
7%
11%
11%
103
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Believe
18%
10%
72%
447
Don't believe
16%
13%
71%
7,343
Other/don't know
12%
10%
77%
102
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who have a household income of…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Less than $30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000 or more
Sample size
Believe
43%
16%
25%
16%
398
Don't believe
24%
19%
29%
28%
6,690
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who have completed…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Believe
46%
31%
15%
8%
452
Don't believe
28%
29%
24%
18%
7,377
Other/don't know
34%
40%
9%
16%
106
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Married
Living with a partner
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Never married
Sample size
Believe
48%
6%
13%
5%
29%
455
Don't believe
44%
11%
12%
3%
30%
7,380
Other/don't know
51%
10%
19%
7%
13%
105
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…
Chart
Table
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Belief in Hell
Parents
Non-parents
Sample size
Believe
24%
76%
455
Don't believe
25%
75%
7,389
Other/don't know
28%
72%
106
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 God among adults who do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say they…
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Belief in Hell
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
Believe
63%
16%
8%
1%
8%
3%
456
Don't believe
19%
20%
12%
1%
43%
5%
7,410
Other/don't know
51%
11%
16%
5%
13%
5%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say religion is…
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Belief in Hell
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
56%
22%
12%
9%
1%
456
Don't believe
13%
19%
25%
42%
1%
7,410
Other/don't know
50%
18%
15%
16%
1%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who attend religious services…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month/a few times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
46%
24%
30%
< 1%
456
Don't believe
8%
26%
65%
< 1%
7,410
Other/don't know
36%
31%
33%
1%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who pray…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least daily
Weekly
Monthly
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
59%
11%
7%
23%
1%
456
Don't believe
17%
9%
6%
67%
1%
7,410
Other/don't know
50%
9%
4%
32%
5%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who attend prayer group…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
36%
8%
10%
46%
< 1%
456
Don't believe
6%
3%
4%
87%
< 1%
7,410
Other/don't know
24%
10%
3%
59%
3%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who meditate…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
42%
7%
4%
43%
3%
456
Don't believe
30%
10%
6%
53%
1%
7,410
Other/don't know
41%
7%
2%
43%
7%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Chart
Table
Share
Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
59%
13%
7%
19%
2%
456
Don't believe
41%
16%
11%
31%
2%
7,410
Other/don't know
60%
9%
11%
19%
1%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
47%
12%
12%
28%
1%
456
Don't believe
50%
16%
13%
20%
1%
7,410
Other/don't know
56%
16%
9%
16%
3%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
42%
9%
36%
10%
2%
456
Don't believe
7%
20%
52%
20%
2%
7,410
Other/don't know
24%
10%
48%
7%
11%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
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
46%
51%
2%
1%
456
Don't believe
20%
78%
1%
1%
7,410
Other/don't know
39%
47%
5%
8%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who read scripture…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
45%
10%
6%
38%
1%
456
Don't believe
9%
5%
7%
79%
< 1%
7,410
Other/don't know
38%
8%
9%
44%
2%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say the holy scripture is…
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Belief in Hell
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
41%
22%
3%
29%
4%
456
Don't believe
4%
7%
< 1%
84%
5%
7,410
Other/don't know
23%
20%
5%
33%
19%
107
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.
Party affiliation among adults who do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who identify as…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Believe
43%
20%
37%
456
Don't believe
22%
18%
60%
7,410
Other/don't know
51%
15%
34%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Belief in Hell
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
42%
34%
19%
5%
456
Don't believe
16%
33%
45%
6%
7,410
Other/don't know
38%
35%
21%
6%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who would rather have…
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Belief in Hell
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
50%
44%
3%
3%
456
Don't believe
47%
46%
4%
3%
7,410
Other/don't know
61%
23%
10%
6%
107
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 government aid to the poor among adults who do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say government aid to the poor…
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Belief in Hell
Does more harm than good
Does more good than harm
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
51%
45%
3%
1%
456
Don't believe
32%
63%
3%
1%
7,410
Other/don't know
43%
43%
8%
5%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say abortion should be…
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
41%
57%
2%
456
Don't believe
80%
17%
3%
7,410
Other/don't know
45%
46%
9%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say homosexuality…
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Belief in Hell
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
47%
45%
4%
4%
456
Don't believe
86%
10%
2%
2%
7,410
Other/don't know
60%
29%
8%
3%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who …same-sex marriage
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Table
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Belief in Hell
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Believe
41%
52%
7%
456
Don't believe
82%
13%
4%
7,410
Other/don't know
50%
37%
13%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say…
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Belief in Hell
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
42%
52%
3%
3%
456
Don't believe
23%
74%
2%
2%
7,410
Other/don't know
32%
53%
7%
8%
107
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 do not believe in Heaven by belief in hell
% of adults who do not believe in Heaven who say humans…
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Belief in Hell
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
25%
21%
4%
48%
2%
456
Don't believe
74%
10%
3%
12%
2%
7,410
Other/don't know
32%
15%
8%
38%
7%
107
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.