75% of White Evangelicals Favor the Death Penalty

Support for the death penalty varies by religious affiliation, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Overall, 60 percent of Americans aged 18 or older support the death penalty for people convicted of murder. Only 35 percent of those who identify themselves as atheists support the death penalty—the lowest level of support by religious affiliation. The highest level of support is among white evangelical Protestants, 75 percent of whom support the death penalty.

Percent who favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder

75% of white Evangelical Protestants

73% of white Protestants, not evangelical

61% of Hispanic Catholics

56% of white Catholics

50% of Black Protestants

43% of Agnostics

35% of Atheists

Source: Pew Research Center, Unlike Other U.S. Religious Groups, Most Atheists and Agnostics Oppose the Death Penalty