A man reflecting on life and what it means to be moral. Illustration by the author.
A study from the Pew Research Center shows that most people in the United States, as well as other advanced countries, don’t think you need to believe in God to be moral or have good values . The research, released in April 2023, points to a growing separation between religious faith and moral conviction, especially in wealthier and more secular societies.
According to the survey, a majority of Americans now say that morality doesn’t depend on religious belief - a pretty big shift from what older generations might’ve thought. This view is even more common across Europe, where secular attitudes are already well-established. For example, in Sweden, most people said belief in God isn’t needed to live a moral life. But in places like Malaysia, where religion plays a stronger role, only about one in five agreed with that idea.
Demographics tell an interesting part of the story too. Younger adults, college educated people, and those who lean more to the political left are far more likely to see morality as independent from religion. Still, even among those who consider themselves religious, many say it’s possible to live a good, ethical life without believing in God suggesting that personal belief and moral values don’t always go hand in hand anymore.
Pew’s findings also echo earlier studies showing that people in developing nations tend to tie morality more closely to faith, while advanced economies often separate the two . Overall, the research hints at a quiet but steady moral shift: one where compassion, empathy, and shared humanity may be replacing divine command as the foundation for what people see as right and wrong.
Reference: Pew Research Center. (2023, April 20). Many people in U.S., other advanced economies say it’s not necessary to believe in God to be moral. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/20/many-people-in-u-s-other-advanced-economies-say-its-not-necessary-to-believe-in-god-to-be-moral/