Most Americans Still Believe in God; Nonbelief Rises

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Friday, June 03, 2011

More than 9 in 10 Americans still say they believe in God, a new poll shows.

While belief in God remains strong in the U.S., the Gallup poll also found that nonbelief has risen from one percent in 1944 to seven percent today.

And the percentage of Americans who affirm their belief in God has decreased slightly from 96 percent in 1944 to 92 percent today.

The survey, released Friday, was conducted May 5-8 among more than 1,000 adults.

Notably, those least likely to believe in God are 18- to 29-year-olds. Only 84 percent agreed that they believe in God compared to 94 percent of older Americans.

Liberals, Americans from the East, and those with postgraduate education were also found to be less likely to believe in God, though a majority (more than eight in 10) still do.

While the Gallup report noted that belief in God has been relatively constant over the last six decades, it also highlighted that when Americans are given other options (such as universal spirit or higher power) or the ability to express doubts, then the percentage of those certain in their beliefs drops.

A 2010 Gallup poll revealed that 80 percent said they believe in God while 12 percent opted belief in a universal spirit or higher power.

When provided with more options about their belief, fewer Americans were found to be absolutely certain about God's existence.

A 2006 Gallup poll showed that 73 percent were convinced that God exists while 14 percent said God "probably exists" and had little doubt. Another five percent chose the option that God probably exists but they have a lot of doubt. And three percent said they were convinced God does not exist.

Compared to the rest of the globe, the U.S. is still found to have strong belief in God. An Ipsos Social Research Institute survey earlier this year found that just over half (51 percent) of people worldwide express belief in God.