Survey year | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 52% | 40% | 3% | 4% | 20,955 |
2007 | 43% | 45% | 5% | 7% | 19,253 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by religious group
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who would rather have…
Religious tradition | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 37% | 51% | 4% | 8% | 166 |
Catholic | 46% | 47% | 3% | 3% | 4,173 |
Evangelical Protestant | 65% | 28% | 3% | 3% | 6,541 |
Historically Black Protestant | 24% | 69% | 3% | 4% | 1,423 |
Jehovah's Witness | 32% | 48% | 3% | 16% | 203 |
Jewish | 40% | 53% | 5% | 2% | 320 |
Mainline Protestant | 59% | 33% | 4% | 4% | 3,532 |
Mormon | 78% | 20% | 1% | 1% | 545 |
Muslim | 18% | 77% | 3% | 2% | 152 |
Orthodox Christian | 64% | 35% | 1% | 1% | 103 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 45% | 47% | 4% | 4% | 3,048 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are ages…
Views about size of government | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 16% | 32% | 30% | 22% | 11,537 |
Bigger government; more services | 24% | 35% | 26% | 15% | 7,413 |
Depends | 12% | 34% | 31% | 23% | 720 |
Don't know | 15% | 32% | 24% | 29% | 820 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Views about size of government | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 10% | 11% | 27% | 35% | 15% | 2% | 11,537 |
Bigger government; more services | 15% | 16% | 28% | 31% | 10% | 1% | 7,413 |
Depends | 6% | 13% | 28% | 36% | 14% | 3% | 720 |
Don't know | 7% | 14% | 26% | 31% | 19% | 3% | 820 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Views about size of government | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 50% | 50% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 37% | 63% | 7,555 |
Depends | 43% | 57% | 746 |
Don't know | 35% | 65% | 854 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Views about size of government | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 80% | 6% | 2% | 9% | 4% | 11,596 |
Bigger government; more services | 43% | 23% | 4% | 25% | 4% | 7,482 |
Depends | 60% | 14% | 3% | 17% | 7% | 732 |
Don't know | 64% | 14% | 2% | 13% | 7% | 813 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Views about size of government | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 8% | 9% | 84% | 11,703 |
Bigger government; more services | 25% | 10% | 65% | 7,420 |
Depends | 16% | 10% | 74% | 738 |
Don't know | 13% | 7% | 80% | 838 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have a household income of…
Views about size of government | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 25% | 22% | 31% | 21% | 10,193 |
Bigger government; more services | 48% | 19% | 20% | 13% | 6,636 |
Depends | 35% | 21% | 25% | 19% | 595 |
Don't know | 40% | 21% | 25% | 14% | 652 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have completed…
Views about size of government | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 35% | 36% | 19% | 11% | 11,740 |
Bigger government; more services | 48% | 29% | 14% | 10% | 7,503 |
Depends | 37% | 34% | 16% | 13% | 739 |
Don't know | 44% | 33% | 14% | 9% | 845 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Views about size of government | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 59% | 5% | 12% | 7% | 17% | 11,740 |
Bigger government; more services | 41% | 9% | 16% | 7% | 27% | 7,525 |
Depends | 51% | 8% | 12% | 12% | 17% | 735 |
Don't know | 49% | 7% | 13% | 12% | 18% | 843 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Views about size of government | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 28% | 72% | 11,752 |
Bigger government; more services | 32% | 68% | 7,532 |
Depends | 26% | 74% | 740 |
Don't know | 24% | 76% | 845 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say they…
Views about size of government | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 81% | 11% | 2% | < 1% | 4% | 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 70% | 18% | 3% | 1% | 6% | 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 71% | 14% | 5% | 1% | 7% | 3% | 746 |
Don't know | 75% | 12% | 3% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 854 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say religion is…
Views about size of government | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 72% | 17% | 5% | 6% | 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 67% | 19% | 6% | 7% | 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 64% | 19% | 6% | 9% | 2% | 746 |
Don't know | 68% | 15% | 6% | 8% | 3% | 854 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who attend religious services…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 53% | 27% | 20% | < 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 44% | 33% | 22% | < 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 43% | 31% | 24% | 2% | 746 |
Don't know | 45% | 26% | 26% | 2% | 854 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who pray…
Views about size of government | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 74% | 13% | 3% | 10% | 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 68% | 14% | 4% | 14% | < 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 70% | 12% | 3% | 14% | 1% | 746 |
Don't know | 73% | 9% | 3% | 12% | 4% | 854 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who attend prayer group…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 37% | 11% | 9% | 43% | < 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 33% | 11% | 8% | 46% | 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 31% | 10% | 7% | 51% | 2% | 746 |
Don't know | 33% | 7% | 7% | 50% | 2% | 854 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who meditate…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 53% | 7% | 3% | 35% | 2% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 54% | 9% | 3% | 32% | 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 62% | 9% | 2% | 25% | 2% | 746 |
Don't know | 57% | 6% | 4% | 28% | 4% | 854 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 55% | 15% | 9% | 20% | 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 57% | 14% | 9% | 19% | 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 58% | 10% | 8% | 20% | 5% | 746 |
Don't know | 58% | 11% | 8% | 20% | 3% | 854 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Views about size of government | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 50% | 8% | 35% | 5% | 2% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 38% | 11% | 39% | 9% | 2% | 7,555 |
Depends | 37% | 11% | 36% | 6% | 10% | 746 |
Don't know | 39% | 8% | 36% | 5% | 12% | 854 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say…
Views about size of government | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 49% | 49% | 2% | 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 26% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 29% | 62% | 7% | 2% | 746 |
Don't know | 33% | 60% | 3% | 4% | 854 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who read scripture…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 54% | 10% | 7% | 28% | 1% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 46% | 11% | 7% | 35% | 1% | 7,555 |
Depends | 47% | 10% | 6% | 35% | 2% | 746 |
Don't know | 51% | 10% | 6% | 31% | 2% | 854 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say the holy scripture is…
Views about size of government | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 39% | 30% | 3% | 21% | 6% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 42% | 24% | 2% | 26% | 6% | 7,555 |
Depends | 26% | 20% | 7% | 28% | 19% | 746 |
Don't know | 30% | 22% | 8% | 24% | 16% | 854 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in heaven
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 79% | 14% | 7% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 78% | 16% | 6% | 7,555 |
Depends | 67% | 20% | 14% | 746 |
Don't know | 70% | 14% | 16% | 854 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in hell
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 68% | 25% | 8% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 62% | 31% | 7% | 7,555 |
Depends | 50% | 33% | 16% | 746 |
Don't know | 54% | 30% | 15% | 854 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Views about size of government | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 60% | 16% | 24% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 17% | 19% | 64% | 7,555 |
Depends | 18% | 28% | 54% | 746 |
Don't know | 18% | 36% | 46% | 854 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Views about size of government | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 55% | 29% | 11% | 4% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 27% | 33% | 35% | 6% | 7,555 |
Depends | 23% | 40% | 25% | 12% | 746 |
Don't know | 26% | 34% | 21% | 19% | 854 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say government aid to the poor…
Views about size of government | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 64% | 31% | 4% | 2% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 25% | 70% | 3% | 2% | 7,555 |
Depends | 24% | 52% | 21% | 3% | 746 |
Don't know | 27% | 52% | 9% | 12% | 854 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say abortion should be…
Views about size of government | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 39% | 58% | 4% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 55% | 41% | 4% | 7,555 |
Depends | 54% | 33% | 13% | 746 |
Don't know | 45% | 40% | 15% | 854 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say homosexuality…
Views about size of government | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 46% | 46% | 5% | 3% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 65% | 29% | 3% | 3% | 7,555 |
Depends | 59% | 24% | 11% | 6% | 746 |
Don't know | 48% | 31% | 8% | 12% | 854 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …same-sex marriage
Views about size of government | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 37% | 56% | 7% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 56% | 37% | 7% | 7,555 |
Depends | 51% | 33% | 17% | 746 |
Don't know | 44% | 38% | 18% | 854 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say…
Views about size of government | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 51% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 27% | 68% | 2% | 3% | 7,555 |
Depends | 15% | 66% | 11% | 9% | 746 |
Don't know | 20% | 58% | 8% | 13% | 854 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say humans…
Views about size of government | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 19% | 27% | 3% | 47% | 4% | 11,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 31% | 27% | 3% | 35% | 4% | 7,555 |
Depends | 27% | 23% | 8% | 33% | 10% | 746 |
Don't know | 22% | 22% | 11% | 32% | 14% | 854 |