Generational cohort among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Religious tradition | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 7% | 9% | 28% | 37% | 17% | 2% | 2,154 |
Evangelical Protestant | 9% | 11% | 27% | 37% | 14% | 1% | 5,180 |
Historically Black Protestant | 11% | 13% | 32% | 31% | 10% | 2% | 905 |
Jehovah's Witness | 9% | 11% | 29% | 36% | 14% | 1% | 187 |
Jewish | 11% | 14% | 22% | 35% | 16% | 2% | 121 |
Mainline Protestant | 10% | 8% | 23% | 38% | 20% | 2% | 1,791 |
Mormon | 15% | 16% | 30% | 27% | 10% | 1% | 417 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 14% | 25% | 27% | 27% | 6% | 1% | 427 |
Learn More: Younger Millennial, Older Millennial, Generation X, Baby Boomer, Silent, Greatest
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Generational cohort | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 51% | 49% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | < 1% | 100% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | < 1% | < 1% | 84% | 16% | 4,762 |
Silent | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 100% | 2,347 |
Greatest | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 100% | 218 |
Gender composition among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Generational cohort | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 46% | 54% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 42% | 58% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 44% | 56% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 42% | 58% | 4,762 |
Silent | 33% | 67% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 37% | 63% | 218 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Generational cohort | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 52% | 20% | 5% | 18% | 5% | 780 |
Older Millennial | 53% | 19% | 3% | 21% | 4% | 1,042 |
Generation X | 56% | 17% | 2% | 21% | 4% | 2,294 |
Baby Boomer | 71% | 13% | 2% | 12% | 3% | 4,699 |
Silent | 80% | 9% | 1% | 7% | 2% | 2,324 |
Greatest | 80% | 10% | 1% | 7% | 1% | 215 |
Immigrant status among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Generational cohort | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 13% | 17% | 70% | 780 |
Older Millennial | 22% | 8% | 70% | 1,039 |
Generation X | 20% | 7% | 73% | 2,294 |
Baby Boomer | 11% | 5% | 84% | 4,715 |
Silent | 8% | 8% | 84% | 2,318 |
Greatest | 5% | 16% | 79% | 215 |
Income distribution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Generational cohort | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 42% | 18% | 26% | 14% | 653 |
Older Millennial | 41% | 24% | 27% | 7% | 964 |
Generation X | 32% | 21% | 28% | 19% | 2,131 |
Baby Boomer | 34% | 20% | 29% | 17% | 4,196 |
Silent | 46% | 25% | 20% | 8% | 1,867 |
Greatest | 60% | 22% | 14% | 4% | 163 |
Educational distribution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Generational cohort | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 46% | 44% | 8% | 1% | 783 |
Older Millennial | 35% | 36% | 19% | 10% | 1,053 |
Generation X | 39% | 32% | 18% | 11% | 2,307 |
Baby Boomer | 45% | 30% | 15% | 9% | 4,752 |
Silent | 55% | 26% | 10% | 9% | 2,338 |
Greatest | 61% | 25% | 8% | 6% | 216 |
Marital status among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Generational cohort | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 12% | 6% | 2% | < 1% | 80% | 783 |
Older Millennial | 50% | 9% | 8% | < 1% | 33% | 1,050 |
Generation X | 64% | 5% | 15% | 1% | 14% | 2,311 |
Baby Boomer | 65% | 3% | 18% | 6% | 9% | 4,746 |
Silent | 55% | 1% | 11% | 30% | 3% | 2,341 |
Greatest | 29% | < 1% | 2% | 64% | 5% | 217 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Generational cohort | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 14% | 86% | 783 |
Older Millennial | 59% | 41% | 1,050 |
Generation X | 63% | 37% | 2,305 |
Baby Boomer | 14% | 86% | 4,752 |
Silent | 4% | 96% | 2,343 |
Greatest | 1% | 99% | 218 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Generational cohort | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 89% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 85% | 12% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 89% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 90% | 8% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 91% | 8% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 87% | 8% | 1% | 3% | < 1% | 2% | 218 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Generational cohort | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 82% | 14% | 2% | 2% | < 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 87% | 10% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 88% | 10% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 88% | 10% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 92% | 6% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 94% | 5% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 218 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Generational cohort | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 64% | 27% | 8% | < 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 61% | 27% | 11% | 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 64% | 27% | 9% | < 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 65% | 25% | 10% | < 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 76% | 14% | 9% | 1% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 64% | 16% | 19% | 1% | 218 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Generational cohort | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 76% | 16% | 3% | 4% | < 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 80% | 13% | 3% | 4% | < 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 83% | 11% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 84% | 11% | 2% | 3% | 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 89% | 8% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 88% | 5% | 1% | 5% | 2% | 218 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Generational cohort | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 46% | 16% | 11% | 28% | < 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 43% | 15% | 10% | 31% | < 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 49% | 14% | 9% | 28% | < 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 48% | 12% | 9% | 31% | 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 51% | 9% | 9% | 29% | 2% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 38% | 6% | 8% | 46% | 2% | 218 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Generational cohort | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 40% | 10% | 3% | 46% | 2% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 46% | 8% | 3% | 41% | 2% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 50% | 7% | 3% | 37% | 2% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 55% | 7% | 3% | 33% | 2% | 4,762 |
Silent | 71% | 5% | 2% | 18% | 3% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 72% | 4% | 2% | 14% | 7% | 218 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Generational cohort | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 73% | 15% | 5% | 6% | 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 75% | 12% | 6% | 5% | 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 76% | 12% | 6% | 5% | 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 81% | 9% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 83% | 8% | 3% | 4% | 2% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 87% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 218 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Generational cohort | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 46% | 19% | 13% | 21% | 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 42% | 17% | 15% | 26% | 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 46% | 17% | 11% | 24% | 2% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 52% | 15% | 9% | 22% | 2% | 4,762 |
Silent | 54% | 11% | 9% | 22% | 4% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 54% | 10% | 11% | 22% | 4% | 218 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Generational cohort | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 38% | 59% | 1% | 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 45% | 52% | 1% | 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 51% | 46% | 1% | 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 55% | 43% | 1% | 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 49% | 47% | 2% | 2% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 41% | 54% | 1% | 4% | 218 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Generational cohort | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 59% | 16% | 7% | 18% | < 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 65% | 11% | 6% | 18% | 1% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 67% | 12% | 7% | 15% | < 1% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 66% | 10% | 6% | 17% | 1% | 4,762 |
Silent | 69% | 8% | 5% | 17% | 2% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 64% | 9% | 2% | 23% | 2% | 218 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Generational cohort | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 42% | 44% | 3% | 7% | 3% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 51% | 35% | 3% | 7% | 4% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 57% | 29% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 57% | 28% | 4% | 6% | 5% | 4,762 |
Silent | 58% | 26% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 64% | 19% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 218 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Generational cohort | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 92% | 6% | 2% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 90% | 6% | 4% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 88% | 6% | 6% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 87% | 7% | 7% | 4,762 |
Silent | 90% | 4% | 6% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 85% | 9% | 7% | 218 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Generational cohort | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 84% | 13% | 3% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 80% | 15% | 5% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 81% | 12% | 7% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 77% | 16% | 7% | 4,762 |
Silent | 77% | 14% | 9% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 64% | 24% | 12% | 218 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Generational cohort | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 47% | 20% | 33% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 44% | 23% | 34% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 48% | 20% | 33% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 51% | 15% | 34% | 4,762 |
Silent | 53% | 13% | 34% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 48% | 10% | 42% | 218 |
Political ideology among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Generational cohort | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 41% | 35% | 16% | 8% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 46% | 29% | 16% | 9% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 54% | 26% | 14% | 6% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 57% | 25% | 13% | 6% | 4,762 |
Silent | 61% | 22% | 10% | 7% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 54% | 27% | 14% | 5% | 218 |
Views about size of government among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Generational cohort | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 42% | 54% | 2% | 2% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 47% | 46% | 3% | 4% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 56% | 39% | 3% | 2% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 61% | 33% | 3% | 3% | 4,762 |
Silent | 65% | 27% | 3% | 5% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 54% | 31% | 7% | 8% | 218 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Generational cohort | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 48% | 49% | 2% | 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 48% | 46% | 5% | 2% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 50% | 44% | 4% | 2% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 53% | 41% | 4% | 2% | 4,762 |
Silent | 53% | 39% | 4% | 4% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 42% | 49% | 3% | 6% | 218 |
Views about abortion among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Generational cohort | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 29% | 70% | 1% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 29% | 68% | 3% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 29% | 67% | 4% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 31% | 65% | 4% | 4,762 |
Silent | 27% | 68% | 5% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 27% | 67% | 6% | 218 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Generational cohort | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 51% | 43% | 4% | 2% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 42% | 49% | 5% | 4% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 37% | 53% | 5% | 4% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 36% | 56% | 4% | 4% | 4,762 |
Silent | 28% | 62% | 5% | 5% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 24% | 62% | 7% | 7% | 218 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Generational cohort | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 42% | 51% | 6% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 34% | 59% | 7% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 28% | 64% | 8% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 26% | 68% | 7% | 4,762 |
Silent | 18% | 73% | 9% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 17% | 71% | 12% | 218 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Generational cohort | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 39% | 57% | 1% | 3% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 39% | 56% | 2% | 3% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 44% | 50% | 3% | 3% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 50% | 45% | 3% | 3% | 4,762 |
Silent | 51% | 38% | 4% | 8% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 41% | 38% | 7% | 13% | 218 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by generational group
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…
Generational cohort | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial | 14% | 32% | 1% | 51% | 3% | 785 |
Older Millennial | 11% | 32% | 2% | 52% | 2% | 1,055 |
Generation X | 10% | 26% | 2% | 58% | 4% | 2,316 |
Baby Boomer | 9% | 26% | 3% | 58% | 4% | 4,762 |
Silent | 8% | 22% | 3% | 57% | 9% | 2,347 |
Greatest | 12% | 14% | 6% | 48% | 20% | 218 |