Sources of guidance on right and wrong among Latinos

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

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201435%11%39%13%2%3,814
200728%11%43%11%7%3,151
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 Latinos by religious group

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

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic33%10%39%15%3%1,783
Evangelical Protestant60%7%26%5%2%718
Mainline Protestant33%10%47%9%2%228
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")11%18%49%19%2%775
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion20%47%23%11%1,293
Philosophy/reason44%36%15%6%440
Common sense35%42%17%6%1,439
Science29%46%18%7%476
Don't know26%33%25%16%101
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.

Generational cohort among Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion12%16%38%27%7%1%1,293
Philosophy/reason31%20%29%16%4%< 1%440
Common sense24%21%32%20%4%< 1%1,439
Science20%20%34%20%5%< 1%476
Don't know13%19%27%27%14%< 1%101
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion43%57%1,325
Philosophy/reason55%45%446
Common sense49%51%1,459
Science56%44%480
Don't know52%48%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion60%18%23%1,301
Philosophy/reason46%29%25%436
Common sense46%26%28%1,424
Science67%21%12%475
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion59%19%14%8%1,112
Philosophy/reason53%17%21%9%387
Common sense50%22%18%9%1,254
Science55%24%13%7%411
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion65%24%8%3%1,309
Philosophy/reason51%32%11%6%444
Common sense58%29%10%4%1,445
Science63%21%11%5%479
Don't know71%19%8%2%103
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion48%9%16%5%22%1,319
Philosophy/reason36%11%11%3%39%444
Common sense37%13%13%2%36%1,456
Science36%15%15%3%32%478
Don't know38%3%17%13%29%103
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion42%58%1,314
Philosophy/reason32%68%445
Common sense40%60%1,453
Science42%58%479
Don't know27%73%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion71%25%2%1%< 1%< 1%1,325
Philosophy/reason49%26%12%1%9%3%446
Common sense58%25%8%1%8%1%1,459
Science43%35%8%< 1%13%< 1%480
Don't know63%24%2%3%4%3%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion84%13%1%1%1%1,325
Philosophy/reason40%30%15%14%2%446
Common sense47%33%10%9%< 1%1,459
Science45%33%7%15%< 1%480
Don't know59%20%5%10%6%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion62%26%11%< 1%1,325
Philosophy/reason23%39%38%< 1%446
Common sense27%41%32%< 1%1,459
Science25%37%38%< 1%480
Don't know40%26%29%5%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion76%13%3%6%1%1,325
Philosophy/reason46%17%9%28%< 1%446
Common sense50%18%8%23%1%1,459
Science41%21%8%30%< 1%480
Don't know56%21%6%12%4%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion47%14%7%31%1%1,325
Philosophy/reason17%14%8%61%< 1%446
Common sense16%10%9%64%1%1,459
Science16%14%10%60%< 1%480
Don't know28%10%8%51%3%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion61%8%3%24%4%1,325
Philosophy/reason47%11%5%35%2%446
Common sense40%10%5%43%1%1,459
Science42%12%5%39%2%480
Don't know52%9%1%27%11%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion76%10%6%7%1%1,325
Philosophy/reason57%15%11%17%1%446
Common sense54%18%12%15%1%1,459
Science57%10%12%19%2%480
Don't know59%6%6%23%6%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion56%12%11%19%2%1,325
Philosophy/reason57%15%11%17%< 1%446
Common sense46%16%13%24%1%1,459
Science47%13%15%23%1%480
Don't know47%8%10%20%14%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion35%60%2%3%1,325
Philosophy/reason21%77%1%1%446
Common sense21%76%2%1%1,459
Science26%70%1%3%480
Don't know29%53%3%14%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion62%12%6%20%1%1,325
Philosophy/reason28%12%10%49%< 1%446
Common sense26%12%10%51%1%1,459
Science21%13%11%54%2%480
Don't know35%13%9%40%2%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion59%24%3%9%5%1,325
Philosophy/reason22%23%1%47%6%446
Common sense27%25%3%37%8%1,459
Science34%18%2%42%5%480
Don't know29%20%16%17%18%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion87%9%5%1,325
Philosophy/reason62%27%12%446
Common sense71%22%7%1,459
Science64%30%6%480
Don't know69%17%14%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion73%21%6%1,325
Philosophy/reason49%41%10%446
Common sense56%36%8%1,459
Science53%41%6%480
Don't know52%25%23%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion25%32%43%1,325
Philosophy/reason21%29%50%446
Common sense21%27%52%1,459
Science20%24%55%480
Don't know16%45%40%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion42%27%23%9%1,325
Philosophy/reason21%36%37%5%446
Common sense26%36%31%7%1,459
Science27%32%35%6%480
Don't know28%23%24%24%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion27%66%4%3%1,325
Philosophy/reason36%60%2%3%446
Common sense30%63%3%3%1,459
Science24%72%1%3%480
Don't know19%62%9%10%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion39%55%4%2%1,325
Philosophy/reason33%62%4%1%446
Common sense41%52%4%2%1,459
Science44%53%2%1%480
Don't know28%41%17%14%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion27%69%4%1,325
Philosophy/reason58%39%3%446
Common sense55%40%5%1,459
Science52%44%4%480
Don't know28%48%24%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion49%41%5%5%1,325
Philosophy/reason81%12%5%2%446
Common sense74%19%4%3%1,459
Science77%18%2%2%480
Don't know53%21%9%16%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion35%55%10%1,325
Philosophy/reason72%20%8%446
Common sense64%28%8%1,459
Science66%27%7%480
Don't know39%29%32%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion38%54%2%5%1,325
Philosophy/reason32%61%2%5%446
Common sense34%59%2%4%1,459
Science35%59%2%3%480
Don't know24%47%8%21%104
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 Latinos by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of Latinos 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
Religion15%28%3%48%6%1,325
Philosophy/reason44%25%4%23%4%446
Common sense38%24%3%30%5%1,459
Science45%21%4%28%2%480
Don't know15%24%11%19%30%104
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.