Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 23% | 14% | 51% | 10% | 2% | 5,093 |
2007 | 23% | 11% | 58% | 6% | 3% | 4,813 |
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 once or twice a month by religious group
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 23% | 12% | 55% | 9% | 2% | 1,175 |
Evangelical Protestant | 45% | 7% | 42% | 4% | 2% | 957 |
Historically Black Protestant | 38% | 8% | 48% | 4% | 2% | 210 |
Jewish | 18% | 13% | 46% | 21% | 2% | 150 |
Mainline Protestant | 24% | 13% | 55% | 7% | 2% | 1,041 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 5% | 21% | 55% | 18% | 1% | 1,191 |
Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who are ages…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 22% | 37% | 26% | 16% | 1,164 |
Philosophy/reason | 38% | 34% | 20% | 8% | 720 |
Common sense | 28% | 36% | 23% | 13% | 2,487 |
Science | 35% | 34% | 21% | 10% | 530 |
Don't know | 19% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 107 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 14% | 13% | 32% | 30% | 11% | 1% | 1,164 |
Philosophy/reason | 29% | 17% | 26% | 23% | 5% | < 1% | 720 |
Common sense | 18% | 18% | 28% | 27% | 8% | < 1% | 2,487 |
Science | 23% | 21% | 26% | 24% | 6% | 1% | 530 |
Don't know | 7% | 14% | 25% | 36% | 18% | < 1% | 107 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Religion | 47% | 53% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 53% | 47% | 729 |
Common sense | 49% | 51% | 2,531 |
Science | 57% | 43% | 539 |
Don't know | 54% | 46% | 110 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who identify as…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 65% | 13% | 3% | 15% | 4% | 1,167 |
Philosophy/reason | 71% | 8% | 7% | 12% | 2% | 723 |
Common sense | 69% | 11% | 4% | 13% | 3% | 2,503 |
Science | 71% | 7% | 5% | 14% | 4% | 532 |
Don't know | 71% | 11% | < 1% | 10% | 8% | 103 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 13% | 9% | 77% | 1,167 |
Philosophy/reason | 15% | 14% | 71% | 725 |
Common sense | 13% | 11% | 76% | 2,498 |
Science | 18% | 10% | 71% | 531 |
Don't know | 10% | 10% | 80% | 106 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 35% | 19% | 29% | 17% | 1,039 |
Philosophy/reason | 24% | 17% | 31% | 27% | 672 |
Common sense | 33% | 22% | 26% | 19% | 2,267 |
Science | 26% | 18% | 30% | 26% | 495 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who have completed…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 44% | 31% | 15% | 11% | 1,181 |
Philosophy/reason | 24% | 37% | 23% | 17% | 728 |
Common sense | 40% | 32% | 18% | 10% | 2,521 |
Science | 29% | 27% | 25% | 20% | 535 |
Don't know | 27% | 30% | 27% | 16% | 109 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 52% | 5% | 14% | 5% | 24% | 1,182 |
Philosophy/reason | 41% | 9% | 12% | 2% | 36% | 729 |
Common sense | 45% | 10% | 11% | 4% | 30% | 2,525 |
Science | 41% | 8% | 11% | 2% | 38% | 538 |
Don't know | 53% | 3% | 10% | 9% | 25% | 108 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Religion | 35% | 65% | 1,176 |
Philosophy/reason | 26% | 74% | 729 |
Common sense | 32% | 68% | 2,522 |
Science | 28% | 72% | 538 |
Don't know | 20% | 80% | 110 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 84% | 14% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 37% | 30% | 13% | < 1% | 16% | 3% | 729 |
Common sense | 53% | 30% | 7% | 1% | 8% | 2% | 2,531 |
Science | 33% | 30% | 7% | < 1% | 27% | 3% | 539 |
Don't know | 55% | 22% | 7% | < 1% | 8% | 8% | 110 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 78% | 20% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 27% | 34% | 21% | 18% | < 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 31% | 45% | 15% | 10% | < 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 24% | 30% | 20% | 26% | < 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 49% | 30% | 8% | 9% | 3% | 110 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 51% | 37% | 12% | < 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 17% | 43% | 40% | < 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 17% | 49% | 34% | < 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 13% | 41% | 46% | < 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 26% | 44% | 27% | 2% | 110 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who pray…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 70% | 21% | 4% | 3% | 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 30% | 22% | 9% | 39% | < 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 38% | 25% | 11% | 25% | 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 26% | 21% | 8% | 44% | < 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 47% | 18% | 6% | 26% | 3% | 110 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 26% | 18% | 12% | 43% | < 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 7% | 11% | 7% | 75% | < 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 8% | 9% | 9% | 74% | 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 8% | 8% | 7% | 75% | < 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 11% | 18% | 6% | 59% | 6% | 110 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 35% | 12% | 5% | 46% | 2% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 31% | 15% | 7% | 47% | < 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 25% | 14% | 6% | 55% | 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 23% | 17% | 7% | 52% | 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 43% | 13% | 7% | 35% | 1% | 110 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 36% | 24% | 18% | 22% | 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 54% | 24% | 12% | 10% | < 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 35% | 25% | 16% | 24% | < 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 45% | 25% | 14% | 15% | < 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 39% | 28% | 19% | 11% | 2% | 110 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 42% | 56% | 1% | 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 20% | 78% | 1% | 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 25% | 74% | 1% | < 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 19% | 81% | < 1% | < 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 25% | 60% | 6% | 10% | 110 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 46% | 20% | 10% | 24% | < 1% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 12% | 15% | 12% | 61% | < 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 14% | 13% | 12% | 61% | < 1% | 2,531 |
Science | 12% | 11% | 9% | 68% | < 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 26% | 16% | 11% | 46% | 1% | 110 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 44% | 40% | 3% | 7% | 5% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 8% | 25% | 1% | 60% | 6% | 729 |
Common sense | 18% | 32% | 2% | 41% | 8% | 2,531 |
Science | 13% | 19% | < 1% | 62% | 5% | 539 |
Don't know | 15% | 27% | 2% | 42% | 13% | 110 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who …in heaven
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 92% | 5% | 4% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 55% | 37% | 8% | 729 |
Common sense | 72% | 21% | 7% | 2,531 |
Science | 48% | 46% | 5% | 539 |
Don't know | 55% | 23% | 22% | 110 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who …in hell
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 80% | 14% | 6% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 38% | 55% | 7% | 729 |
Common sense | 55% | 38% | 8% | 2,531 |
Science | 37% | 58% | 5% | 539 |
Don't know | 41% | 37% | 23% | 110 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who identify as…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 48% | 17% | 35% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 31% | 10% | 59% | 729 |
Common sense | 36% | 17% | 47% | 2,531 |
Science | 25% | 13% | 63% | 539 |
Don't know | 28% | 21% | 51% | 110 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 46% | 32% | 15% | 7% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 22% | 37% | 39% | 3% | 729 |
Common sense | 31% | 38% | 25% | 6% | 2,531 |
Science | 21% | 34% | 44% | 2% | 539 |
Don't know | 31% | 32% | 19% | 18% | 110 |
Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 53% | 42% | 2% | 3% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 47% | 49% | 2% | 2% | 729 |
Common sense | 53% | 42% | 3% | 3% | 2,531 |
Science | 44% | 52% | 3% | 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 46% | 34% | 9% | 11% | 110 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 49% | 46% | 3% | 2% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 34% | 62% | 3% | 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 46% | 49% | 3% | 2% | 2,531 |
Science | 32% | 65% | 1% | 2% | 539 |
Don't know | 35% | 43% | 16% | 6% | 110 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 38% | 59% | 3% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 72% | 27% | 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 64% | 32% | 4% | 2,531 |
Science | 73% | 24% | 3% | 539 |
Don't know | 66% | 28% | 6% | 110 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 46% | 45% | 5% | 3% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 87% | 9% | 2% | 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 76% | 19% | 3% | 2% | 2,531 |
Science | 84% | 12% | 2% | 2% | 539 |
Don't know | 61% | 24% | 11% | 4% | 110 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month who …same-sex marriage
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 38% | 54% | 9% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 81% | 15% | 3% | 729 |
Common sense | 67% | 27% | 6% | 2,531 |
Science | 80% | 15% | 5% | 539 |
Don't know | 55% | 33% | 13% | 110 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 43% | 53% | 2% | 3% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 24% | 73% | 2% | 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 35% | 61% | 2% | 2% | 2,531 |
Science | 26% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 539 |
Don't know | 29% | 56% | 5% | 10% | 110 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing once or twice a month 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 | 14% | 30% | 3% | 49% | 4% | 1,184 |
Philosophy/reason | 58% | 24% | 3% | 13% | 1% | 729 |
Common sense | 41% | 27% | 4% | 24% | 3% | 2,531 |
Science | 62% | 18% | 2% | 15% | 3% | 539 |
Don't know | 28% | 24% | 18% | 17% | 13% | 110 |