Sources of guidance on right and wrong among older Millennials

% of older Millennials who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201426%13%48%11%2%4,128
200724%13%53%8%2%3,087
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among older Millennials by religious group

% of older Millennials who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic23%10%49%15%2%648
Evangelical Protestant54%8%32%3%2%866
Historically Black Protestant46%9%42%3%< 1%216
Mainline Protestant22%13%56%6%2%440
Mormon61%6%31%1%2%108
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")8%18%56%16%2%1,430
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion51%49%< 1%< 1%1,055
Philosophy/reason61%39%< 1%< 1%580
Common sense58%42%< 1%< 1%1,921
Science59%41%< 1%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion42%58%1,055
Philosophy/reason55%45%580
Common sense51%49%1,921
Science58%42%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion53%19%3%21%4%1,042
Philosophy/reason61%10%7%17%5%577
Common sense59%12%6%17%5%1,907
Science54%7%10%25%3%479
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion22%8%70%1,039
Philosophy/reason19%12%69%573
Common sense15%11%74%1,896
Science30%12%58%474
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who have a household income of…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Religion41%24%27%7%964
Philosophy/reason41%22%25%12%546
Common sense39%25%25%12%1,804
Science40%22%24%14%455
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion35%36%19%10%1,053
Philosophy/reason23%37%27%13%580
Common sense32%37%21%10%1,917
Science26%27%27%20%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion50%9%8%< 1%33%1,050
Philosophy/reason32%17%7%< 1%44%579
Common sense35%17%7%< 1%41%1,919
Science29%18%5%< 1%48%480
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion59%41%1,050
Philosophy/reason33%67%579
Common sense45%55%1,915
Science36%64%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say they…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Religion85%12%2%< 1%1%< 1%1,055
Philosophy/reason39%26%11%1%19%4%580
Common sense47%26%8%1%14%4%1,921
Science25%25%13%< 1%33%3%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion87%10%2%1%< 1%1,055
Philosophy/reason25%34%19%21%1%580
Common sense29%35%18%17%< 1%1,921
Science24%26%21%29%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who attend religious services…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion61%27%11%1%1,055
Philosophy/reason14%41%45%< 1%580
Common sense15%39%45%< 1%1,921
Science9%35%56%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion80%13%3%4%< 1%1,055
Philosophy/reason35%17%7%41%< 1%580
Common sense34%18%9%38%< 1%1,921
Science24%14%10%53%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who attend prayer group…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion43%15%10%31%< 1%1,055
Philosophy/reason10%8%7%75%< 1%580
Common sense9%8%8%75%< 1%1,921
Science6%7%7%80%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion46%8%3%41%2%1,055
Philosophy/reason35%13%5%45%1%580
Common sense27%10%5%58%< 1%1,921
Science23%11%5%61%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion75%12%6%5%1%1,055
Philosophy/reason50%17%12%20%1%580
Common sense45%20%12%22%1%1,921
Science37%19%12%30%1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion42%17%15%26%1%1,055
Philosophy/reason57%17%13%13%< 1%580
Common sense40%20%15%25%1%1,921
Science50%16%14%20%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion45%52%1%1%1,055
Philosophy/reason23%75%2%1%580
Common sense21%77%1%< 1%1,921
Science19%80%< 1%1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who read scripture…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion65%11%6%18%1%1,055
Philosophy/reason18%14%9%59%< 1%580
Common sense17%10%9%63%< 1%1,921
Science9%7%7%76%< 1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say the holy scripture is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Religion51%35%3%7%4%1,055
Philosophy/reason8%23%1%60%8%580
Common sense14%24%1%51%9%1,921
Science15%13%< 1%67%5%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion90%6%4%1,055
Philosophy/reason52%38%10%580
Common sense64%30%6%1,921
Science44%51%5%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion80%15%5%1,055
Philosophy/reason41%51%8%580
Common sense50%43%7%1,921
Science36%58%6%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion44%23%34%1,055
Philosophy/reason25%23%52%580
Common sense30%22%48%1,921
Science19%20%60%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion46%29%16%9%1,055
Philosophy/reason16%35%45%4%580
Common sense20%40%31%10%1,921
Science17%32%47%3%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion47%46%3%4%1,055
Philosophy/reason41%51%3%5%580
Common sense47%47%2%3%1,921
Science31%63%4%2%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say government aid to the poor…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion48%46%5%2%1,055
Philosophy/reason30%65%5%1%580
Common sense42%52%4%2%1,921
Science34%64%2%1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion29%68%3%1,055
Philosophy/reason68%29%2%580
Common sense64%34%3%1,921
Science69%28%3%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion42%49%5%4%1,055
Philosophy/reason85%12%2%1%580
Common sense80%14%3%3%1,921
Science83%14%1%3%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion34%59%7%1,055
Philosophy/reason85%13%2%580
Common sense76%19%5%1,921
Science81%14%6%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion39%56%2%3%1,055
Philosophy/reason23%73%2%3%580
Common sense33%62%3%2%1,921
Science25%73%1%2%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among older Millennials by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of older Millennials who say humans…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Religion11%32%2%52%2%1,055
Philosophy/reason54%27%3%12%3%580
Common sense48%26%5%20%3%1,921
Science66%16%3%13%1%483
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.