Pew: Younger Americans Less Likely to Believe in God

The number of Americans who believe in God with absolute certainty has declined and younger people are far less likely to say they believe in God as described in the Bible than those from older generations, a new poll reveals

The poll of 4,729 adults, conducted last December by the Pew Research Center, found:

• Just 43 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 say they believe in God as described in the Bible
• 39 percent of that same age group say they believe in some other higher power or spiritual force.
• That's in contrast to two-thirds of those over 50 say they believe in the biblical God.
• Younger Americans are also less likely to attend church regularly, with just 17 percent going one a week, in contrast with 52 percent, over the age of 50, who do.

In other findings, the Pew poll reveals that white Republicans and non-white Democrats are far more likely to believe in the God of the Bible than are white Democrats.

The survey also shows that, compared with older adults, those under age 50 generally view God as less powerful and less involved in earthly affairs than do older Americans.

At the same time, the poll found, young adults are somewhat more likely than their elders to say they believe that they personally have been punished by God or a higher power in the universe.

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan think tank that "informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world" but does not take policy positions.

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