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 | 66% | 20% | 5% | 1% | 6% | 1% | 10,584 |
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 with an education level of high school or less by religious group
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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% | 31% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2,431 |
Evangelical Protestant | 87% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,977 |
Historically Black Protestant | 88% | 10% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 823 |
Jehovah's Witness | 89% | 10% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1% | 130 |
Mainline Protestant | 69% | 23% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1,536 |
Mormon | 82% | 16% | 2% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 127 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 36% | 23% | 11% | 1% | 25% | 4% | 2,129 |
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 with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 18% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 7,038 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 34% | 24% | 16% | 2,021 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 38% | 30% | 18% | 14% | 482 |
Believe in God; don't know | 12% | 19% | 24% | 45% | 116 |
Do not believe in God | 46% | 28% | 15% | 11% | 639 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 32% | 23% | 16% | 165 |
Generational cohort among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 12% | 10% | 25% | 35% | 16% | 2% | 7,038 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 14% | 28% | 28% | 11% | 1% | 2,021 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 28% | 15% | 24% | 21% | 9% | 2% | 482 |
Believe in God; don't know | 8% | 8% | 15% | 28% | 31% | 10% | 116 |
Do not believe in God | 39% | 13% | 22% | 18% | 7% | 2% | 639 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 18% | 26% | 26% | 11% | 2% | 165 |
Gender composition among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 54% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 55% | 45% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 62% | 38% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 45% | 55% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 70% | 30% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 74% | 26% | 167 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 60% | 17% | 1% | 19% | 3% | 7,051 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 54% | 8% | 2% | 33% | 3% | 2,031 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 55% | 8% | 7% | 27% | 4% | 482 |
Believe in God; don't know | 52% | 10% | 3% | 32% | 4% | 113 |
Do not believe in God | 73% | 4% | 6% | 14% | 3% | 635 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 81% | 6% | < 1% | 6% | 6% | 161 |
Immigrant status among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 16% | 8% | 76% | 7,008 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 29% | 9% | 62% | 2,007 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 13% | 62% | 472 |
Believe in God; don't know | 30% | 5% | 65% | 114 |
Do not believe in God | 10% | 16% | 73% | 628 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 11% | 83% | 163 |
Income distribution among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 53% | 22% | 18% | 7% | 5,995 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 53% | 23% | 17% | 7% | 1,770 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 54% | 15% | 20% | 11% | 418 |
Do not believe in God | 37% | 23% | 26% | 14% | 565 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 38% | 23% | 21% | 17% | 130 |
Marital status among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 6% | 15% | 11% | 23% | 7,104 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 12% | 13% | 7% | 29% | 2,034 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 10% | 10% | 6% | 43% | 485 |
Believe in God; don't know | 37% | 6% | 19% | 23% | 15% | 114 |
Do not believe in God | 29% | 9% | 9% | 3% | 50% | 639 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 35% | 8% | 17% | 7% | 34% | 163 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 26% | 74% | 7,113 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 70% | 2,038 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 76% | 485 |
Believe in God; don't know | 20% | 80% | 116 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 81% | 639 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 80% | 164 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 74% | 20% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 43% | 16% | 5% | < 1% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 15% | 31% | 32% | 20% | < 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 57% | 21% | 7% | 8% | 6% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 8% | 22% | 66% | 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 15% | 21% | 25% | 38% | 1% | 167 |
Attendance at religious services among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 46% | 32% | 21% | 1% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 24% | 39% | 37% | < 1% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 33% | 57% | 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 37% | 27% | 33% | 3% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 14% | 83% | < 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 25% | 63% | 3% | 167 |
Frequency of prayer among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 72% | 16% | 4% | 7% | 1% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 23% | 11% | 26% | 1% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 13% | 13% | 53% | < 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 52% | 16% | 4% | 23% | 5% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 2% | 2% | 93% | < 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 16% | 6% | 8% | 65% | 6% | 167 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 35% | 11% | 8% | 45% | 1% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 15% | 9% | 8% | 67% | 1% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 7% | 6% | 5% | 81% | < 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 25% | 7% | 11% | 47% | 10% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | < 1% | 2% | 96% | < 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 3% | 5% | 84% | 3% | 167 |
Frequency of meditation among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 47% | 7% | 3% | 40% | 2% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 11% | 5% | 51% | 2% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 12% | 6% | 63% | 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 53% | 6% | 2% | 34% | 5% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 5% | 4% | 74% | 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 9% | 2% | 63% | 4% | 167 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 68% | 13% | 7% | 10% | 1% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 43% | 17% | 13% | 25% | 2% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 30% | 15% | 13% | 41% | 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 55% | 7% | 12% | 16% | 9% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 27% | 9% | 6% | 56% | 2% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 34% | 11% | 7% | 40% | 7% | 167 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 14% | 10% | 30% | 2% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 14% | 16% | 28% | 2% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 13% | 14% | 34% | 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 48% | 4% | 11% | 24% | 12% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 38% | 15% | 11% | 35% | 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 43% | 16% | 9% | 27% | 4% | 167 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 46% | 5% | 42% | 5% | 2% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 21% | 10% | 56% | 11% | 2% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 10% | 15% | 61% | 13% | 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 29% | 10% | 47% | 4% | 11% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 13% | 62% | 23% | 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 10% | 71% | 7% | 4% | 167 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 35% | 62% | 1% | 2% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 72% | 1% | 2% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 23% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 29% | 56% | 5% | 10% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 80% | < 1% | 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 78% | 2% | 2% | 167 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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% | 12% | 8% | 31% | 1% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 20% | 10% | 9% | 59% | 1% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 10% | 7% | 75% | < 1% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 39% | 7% | 6% | 41% | 7% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 3% | 3% | 90% | < 1% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 11% | 5% | 6% | 75% | 3% | 167 |
Interpreting scripture among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 53% | 26% | 3% | 12% | 6% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 29% | 2% | 35% | 7% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 13% | 16% | < 1% | 63% | 7% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 43% | 10% | 11% | 17% | 19% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 3% | < 1% | 90% | 4% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 7% | 3% | 64% | 20% | 167 |
Belief in Heaven among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 89% | 6% | 5% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 78% | 14% | 8% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 50% | 37% | 13% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 74% | 10% | 16% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 8% | 87% | 4% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 26% | 41% | 33% | 167 |
Belief in Hell among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 75% | 18% | 7% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 60% | 31% | 9% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 40% | 49% | 11% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 56% | 21% | 23% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 7% | 89% | 4% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 52% | 25% | 167 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 38% | 21% | 41% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 26% | 43% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 23% | 50% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 25% | 35% | 40% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 26% | 29% | 45% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 33% | 32% | 35% | 167 |
Political ideology among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 45% | 28% | 18% | 9% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 34% | 27% | 8% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 35% | 31% | 8% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 33% | 21% | 27% | 20% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 32% | 36% | 11% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 27% | 34% | 22% | 18% | 167 |
Views about size of government among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 46% | 47% | 3% | 5% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 54% | 2% | 3% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 43% | 51% | 4% | 2% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 34% | 52% | 2% | 12% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 52% | 42% | 3% | 3% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 56% | 27% | 8% | 9% | 167 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 46% | 48% | 4% | 3% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 44% | 51% | 3% | 2% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 42% | 52% | 3% | 3% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 39% | 41% | 4% | 16% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 41% | 53% | 4% | 2% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 46% | 41% | 10% | 3% | 167 |
Views about abortion among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 38% | 57% | 5% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 54% | 42% | 4% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 64% | 32% | 4% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 32% | 47% | 21% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 79% | 18% | 3% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 66% | 25% | 10% | 167 |
Views about homosexuality among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 47% | 45% | 4% | 4% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 69% | 24% | 3% | 4% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 71% | 22% | 3% | 4% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 37% | 38% | 6% | 20% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 84% | 11% | 2% | 2% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 67% | 19% | 7% | 7% | 167 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 35% | 55% | 9% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 33% | 10% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 64% | 28% | 8% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 36% | 37% | 27% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 79% | 15% | 6% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 59% | 27% | 14% | 167 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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 | 45% | 47% | 3% | 5% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 53% | 2% | 4% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 56% | 2% | 2% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 36% | 39% | 6% | 19% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 31% | 65% | 1% | 3% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 38% | 51% | 2% | 8% | 167 |
Views about human evolution among adults with an education level of high school or less by belief in God
% of adults with an education level of high school or less 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% | 26% | 3% | 48% | 7% | 7,128 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 24% | 4% | 29% | 5% | 2,044 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 52% | 14% | 4% | 26% | 4% | 486 |
Believe in God; don't know | 26% | 13% | 10% | 29% | 21% | 118 |
Do not believe in God | 78% | 7% | 3% | 10% | 2% | 641 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 52% | 10% | 12% | 18% | 8% | 167 |