89% Of Americans Believe In God

A new survey reports that Americans’ belief in God is declining from previous decades. A nationwide survey conducted between June 14 and 23 finds that 89 percent of Americans responded “Yes” to questions about belief if God or a universal spirit.

The poll, conducted by Gallup, further found that the percentage who said they believe in God dropped to 79 when the “not sure about” option was introduced.

Gallup first asked the question “Do you, personally, believe in a God?” in 1944. That year, 96 percent of respondents said they did. Through 1967, the number stayed steadily in that range. In 1976, Gallup changed the question to include “a universal spirit”. Those surveyed continued to respond affirmatively to this newly worded question between 94 and 96 percent through 1994.

According to Time Magazine, Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of Gallup explained that “there were virtually no ‘nones’ in the 1950s – 1-2% max – but almost all contemporary surveys show it’s now closer to the 20% mark.” Newport also acknowledges shifting cultural norms. Newport believes the uptick in “nos” or “unsures” in recent surveys to a society “where verbally expressing what could be considered a deviant viewpoint might be more accepted [today].”

According to Pew Research, a 2014 survey of the religiously unaffiliated found that seven percent of US adults considered themselves “Atheist/Agnostic”. Furthermore, 15.8 percent aligned their belief with “Nothing in particular”. 

The 2016 Gallup survey supports these findings. About 20 percent of those polled said they have no specific religious identity.

Gallup concludes that the survey data may in fact point to a declining belief in God among Americans. However, Gallup notes, belief and spirituality may not have changed substantially, rather, Americans are more and more willing to express their nonbelief to an interviewer. 

Sources: Gallup, Pew Research, Time Magazine / Photo Credit: CUNY