Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week
% 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
Survey year | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 44% | 9% | 37% | 7% | 3% | 20,955 |
2007 | 41% | 8% | 43% | 4% | 4% | 19,253 |
Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science
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 religious group
% 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
Religious tradition | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 8% | 34% | 36% | 15% | 7% | 166 |
Catholic | 38% | 9% | 41% | 9% | 3% | 4,173 |
Evangelical Protestant | 67% | 4% | 24% | 2% | 2% | 6,541 |
Historically Black Protestant | 52% | 5% | 37% | 4% | 2% | 1,423 |
Jehovah's Witness | 81% | 1% | 12% | 1% | 5% | 203 |
Jewish | 27% | 17% | 42% | 9% | 5% | 320 |
Mainline Protestant | 38% | 9% | 45% | 5% | 3% | 3,532 |
Mormon | 71% | 3% | 19% | 4% | 4% | 545 |
Muslim | 42% | 11% | 33% | 11% | 4% | 152 |
Orthodox Christian | 36% | 10% | 46% | 6% | 3% | 103 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 10% | 19% | 53% | 15% | 3% | 3,048 |
Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are ages…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 15% | 32% | 31% | 23% | 9,162 |
Philosophy/reason | 30% | 34% | 23% | 13% | 1,944 |
Common sense | 21% | 33% | 27% | 19% | 7,390 |
Science | 24% | 40% | 23% | 14% | 1,362 |
Don't know | 17% | 33% | 28% | 23% | 632 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 9% | 11% | 26% | 37% | 15% | 2% | 9,162 |
Philosophy/reason | 19% | 18% | 27% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 1,944 |
Common sense | 12% | 14% | 27% | 32% | 12% | 1% | 7,390 |
Science | 15% | 15% | 33% | 27% | 9% | 1% | 1,362 |
Don't know | 10% | 12% | 27% | 32% | 16% | 2% | 632 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Religion | 40% | 60% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 51% | 49% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 45% | 55% | 7,537 |
Science | 50% | 50% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 51% | 49% | 676 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 64% | 15% | 2% | 15% | 4% | 9,269 |
Philosophy/reason | 63% | 10% | 5% | 18% | 5% | 1,950 |
Common sense | 64% | 14% | 3% | 14% | 5% | 7,417 |
Science | 53% | 8% | 5% | 28% | 5% | 1,358 |
Don't know | 69% | 10% | 3% | 13% | 5% | 629 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 14% | 7% | 79% | 9,289 |
Philosophy/reason | 16% | 14% | 70% | 1,951 |
Common sense | 13% | 10% | 77% | 7,434 |
Science | 29% | 13% | 58% | 1,366 |
Don't know | 15% | 7% | 78% | 659 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have a household income of…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 36% | 22% | 27% | 15% | 8,048 |
Philosophy/reason | 32% | 18% | 26% | 24% | 1,763 |
Common sense | 35% | 21% | 26% | 18% | 6,531 |
Science | 36% | 19% | 22% | 23% | 1,229 |
Don't know | 33% | 23% | 26% | 18% | 505 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have completed…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 42% | 33% | 16% | 9% | 9,328 |
Philosophy/reason | 30% | 31% | 22% | 17% | 1,966 |
Common sense | 43% | 33% | 15% | 9% | 7,493 |
Science | 35% | 28% | 21% | 16% | 1,375 |
Don't know | 31% | 35% | 19% | 15% | 665 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 57% | 4% | 13% | 8% | 17% | 9,337 |
Philosophy/reason | 42% | 9% | 14% | 5% | 30% | 1,968 |
Common sense | 47% | 9% | 14% | 8% | 23% | 7,503 |
Science | 46% | 10% | 12% | 4% | 27% | 1,374 |
Don't know | 51% | 4% | 13% | 10% | 22% | 661 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Religion | 30% | 70% | 9,340 |
Philosophy/reason | 27% | 73% | 1,973 |
Common sense | 29% | 71% | 7,515 |
Science | 32% | 68% | 1,376 |
Don't know | 27% | 73% | 665 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say they…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 92% | 7% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 53% | 24% | 7% | 1% | 12% | 3% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 68% | 19% | 4% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 7,537 |
Science | 45% | 25% | 7% | 1% | 19% | 3% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 77% | 13% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 676 |
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 sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say religion is…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 92% | 6% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 42% | 30% | 13% | 15% | 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 54% | 27% | 10% | 9% | 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 39% | 26% | 12% | 23% | 1% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 71% | 15% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 676 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who attend religious services…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 72% | 20% | 7% | < 1% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 25% | 38% | 36% | < 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 31% | 37% | 31% | < 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 24% | 34% | 41% | 1% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 47% | 29% | 20% | 4% | 676 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who pray…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 89% | 8% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 51% | 18% | 6% | 25% | < 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 60% | 17% | 5% | 17% | 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 44% | 16% | 5% | 34% | < 1% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 72% | 12% | 3% | 10% | 4% | 676 |
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 sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who attend prayer group…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 55% | 13% | 8% | 24% | 1% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 17% | 9% | 10% | 63% | 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 21% | 9% | 9% | 61% | 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 15% | 9% | 7% | 69% | < 1% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 33% | 10% | 8% | 45% | 4% | 676 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who meditate…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 61% | 6% | 2% | 29% | 2% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 55% | 11% | 4% | 29% | 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 47% | 8% | 3% | 40% | 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 46% | 10% | 4% | 38% | 1% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 56% | 6% | 3% | 30% | 5% | 676 |
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 sources of guidance on right and wrong
% 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…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 55% | 15% | 8% | 20% | 2% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 68% | 13% | 7% | 11% | 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 52% | 15% | 10% | 21% | 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 63% | 12% | 9% | 15% | 1% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 63% | 9% | 9% | 15% | 5% | 676 |
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 sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 53% | 44% | 2% | 1% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 25% | 73% | 1% | 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 27% | 71% | 1% | 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 24% | 73% | 2% | 2% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 30% | 56% | 8% | 6% | 676 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who read scripture…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 74% | 9% | 5% | 12% | 1% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 29% | 12% | 10% | 48% | < 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 32% | 12% | 10% | 46% | 1% | 7,537 |
Science | 22% | 10% | 10% | 57% | 1% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 49% | 11% | 8% | 29% | 3% | 676 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say the holy scripture is…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 58% | 29% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 16% | 25% | 1% | 50% | 8% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 27% | 28% | 2% | 35% | 8% | 7,537 |
Science | 22% | 18% | 1% | 54% | 5% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 23% | 25% | 14% | 20% | 19% | 676 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in heaven
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 88% | 6% | 6% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 57% | 33% | 10% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 75% | 18% | 7% | 7,537 |
Science | 56% | 37% | 6% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 70% | 13% | 17% | 676 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in hell
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 80% | 13% | 7% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 40% | 52% | 8% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 57% | 35% | 8% | 7,537 |
Science | 41% | 51% | 7% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 53% | 25% | 22% | 676 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 51% | 17% | 32% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 25% | 18% | 56% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 33% | 19% | 48% | 7,537 |
Science | 22% | 19% | 59% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 32% | 32% | 36% | 676 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 57% | 25% | 12% | 6% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 21% | 36% | 39% | 4% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 32% | 37% | 25% | 6% | 7,537 |
Science | 24% | 35% | 38% | 4% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 36% | 30% | 21% | 13% | 676 |
Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who would rather have…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 59% | 35% | 3% | 3% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 44% | 48% | 4% | 4% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 50% | 43% | 3% | 4% | 7,537 |
Science | 36% | 58% | 3% | 3% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 43% | 29% | 11% | 17% | 676 |
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 sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say government aid to the poor…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 52% | 42% | 4% | 2% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 32% | 63% | 4% | 1% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 44% | 50% | 4% | 2% | 7,537 |
Science | 35% | 60% | 3% | 2% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 32% | 42% | 15% | 11% | 676 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say abortion should be…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 27% | 69% | 4% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 66% | 31% | 3% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 60% | 35% | 5% | 7,537 |
Science | 68% | 28% | 4% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 43% | 40% | 18% | 676 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say homosexuality…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 34% | 57% | 5% | 4% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 79% | 16% | 3% | 2% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 69% | 24% | 4% | 3% | 7,537 |
Science | 80% | 16% | 2% | 2% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 50% | 28% | 9% | 13% | 676 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …same-sex marriage
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 25% | 68% | 7% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 74% | 21% | 6% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 60% | 32% | 9% | 7,537 |
Science | 72% | 23% | 5% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 42% | 38% | 20% | 676 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 47% | 47% | 3% | 4% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 25% | 70% | 2% | 2% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 37% | 57% | 2% | 3% | 7,537 |
Science | 27% | 69% | 2% | 2% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 28% | 51% | 8% | 12% | 676 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say humans…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 8% | 26% | 2% | 59% | 5% | 9,385 |
Philosophy/reason | 46% | 28% | 5% | 19% | 3% | 1,976 |
Common sense | 33% | 29% | 4% | 30% | 4% | 7,537 |
Science | 56% | 19% | 4% | 19% | 2% | 1,381 |
Don't know | 17% | 23% | 15% | 26% | 19% | 676 |