Survey year | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 10% | 27% | 2% | 56% | 5% | 11,754 |
Learn More: Evolved; due to natural processes, Evolved; due to God's design, Always existed in present form
Views about human evolution 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 say humans…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 16% | 36% | 3% | 38% | 6% | 2,203 |
Evangelical Protestant | 5% | 21% | 1% | 69% | 4% | 5,299 |
Historically Black Protestant | 11% | 30% | 4% | 50% | 5% | 929 |
Jehovah's Witness | 1% | 13% | < 1% | 81% | 5% | 194 |
Jewish | 17% | 36% | 3% | 37% | 6% | 126 |
Mainline Protestant | 11% | 32% | 4% | 47% | 6% | 1,825 |
Mormon | 4% | 28% | < 1% | 60% | 8% | 428 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 19% | 29% | 4% | 43% | 6% | 441 |
Learn More: Evolved; due to natural processes, Evolved; due to God's design, Always existed in present form
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Views about human evolution | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 21% | 34% | 26% | 19% | 1,068 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 19% | 34% | 29% | 18% | 3,182 |
Evolved; don't know how | 8% | 28% | 31% | 33% | 283 |
Always existed in present form | 14% | 33% | 31% | 21% | 6,363 |
Don't know | 8% | 28% | 24% | 40% | 587 |
Generational cohort among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about human evolution | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 14% | 13% | 27% | 32% | 12% | 2% | 1,068 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 12% | 14% | 27% | 35% | 12% | 1% | 3,182 |
Evolved; don't know how | 4% | 12% | 21% | 40% | 20% | 4% | 283 |
Always existed in present form | 9% | 11% | 28% | 37% | 14% | 1% | 6,363 |
Don't know | 5% | 6% | 25% | 31% | 27% | 6% | 587 |
Gender composition among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about human evolution | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 39% | 61% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 44% | 56% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 42% | 58% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 41% | 59% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 42% | 58% | 620 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about human evolution | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 50% | 18% | 4% | 25% | 3% | 1,079 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 62% | 16% | 2% | 16% | 4% | 3,190 |
Evolved; don't know how | 60% | 17% | 2% | 19% | 2% | 286 |
Always existed in present form | 68% | 14% | 2% | 13% | 4% | 6,442 |
Don't know | 63% | 14% | 1% | 18% | 4% | 601 |
Immigrant status among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about human evolution | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 24% | 12% | 65% | 1,071 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 14% | 8% | 78% | 3,185 |
Evolved; don't know how | 19% | 8% | 73% | 292 |
Always existed in present form | 13% | 7% | 81% | 6,458 |
Don't know | 17% | 10% | 74% | 597 |
Income distribution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Views about human evolution | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 48% | 19% | 20% | 13% | 953 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 36% | 19% | 27% | 17% | 2,866 |
Evolved; don't know how | 43% | 17% | 17% | 23% | 233 |
Always existed in present form | 34% | 23% | 29% | 14% | 5,581 |
Don't know | 48% | 17% | 24% | 11% | 451 |
Educational distribution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Views about human evolution | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 47% | 28% | 14% | 11% | 1,080 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 38% | 34% | 16% | 12% | 3,211 |
Evolved; don't know how | 54% | 13% | 20% | 14% | 292 |
Always existed in present form | 44% | 34% | 15% | 7% | 6,492 |
Don't know | 57% | 24% | 13% | 6% | 610 |
Marital status among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about human evolution | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 44% | 8% | 15% | 8% | 25% | 1,085 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 53% | 6% | 13% | 6% | 22% | 3,216 |
Evolved; don't know how | 61% | 2% | 11% | 10% | 16% | 291 |
Always existed in present form | 59% | 3% | 13% | 8% | 17% | 6,493 |
Don't know | 52% | 3% | 12% | 18% | 16% | 612 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about human evolution | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 32% | 68% | 1,082 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 31% | 69% | 3,217 |
Evolved; don't know how | 24% | 76% | 291 |
Always existed in present form | 31% | 69% | 6,495 |
Don't know | 26% | 74% | 612 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Views about human evolution | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 73% | 20% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 88% | 10% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 79% | 17% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 93% | 5% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 85% | 12% | 1% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 620 |
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 views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Views about human evolution | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 74% | 20% | 4% | 2% | < 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 87% | 11% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 81% | 15% | 2% | < 1% | 2% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 91% | 7% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 89% | 7% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 620 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Views about human evolution | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 50% | 35% | 15% | 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 59% | 29% | 11% | < 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 56% | 29% | 13% | 1% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 72% | 20% | 7% | < 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 65% | 20% | 14% | 2% | 620 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Views about human evolution | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 69% | 18% | 5% | 8% | < 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 80% | 14% | 2% | 3% | < 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 78% | 11% | 2% | 7% | 2% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 88% | 8% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 84% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 620 |
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 views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Views about human evolution | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 32% | 13% | 10% | 44% | < 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 39% | 14% | 11% | 36% | < 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 37% | 11% | 11% | 40% | 1% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 56% | 12% | 8% | 23% | 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 48% | 9% | 10% | 31% | 2% | 620 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Views about human evolution | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 45% | 11% | 4% | 39% | 2% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 52% | 8% | 4% | 36% | 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 50% | 11% | 2% | 30% | 8% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 56% | 6% | 3% | 33% | 2% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 57% | 4% | 4% | 25% | 10% | 620 |
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 views about human evolution
% 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…
Views about human evolution | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 66% | 15% | 8% | 10% | < 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 76% | 12% | 6% | 5% | 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 67% | 13% | 7% | 8% | 4% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 82% | 9% | 4% | 4% | 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 77% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 620 |
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 views about human evolution
% 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…
Views about human evolution | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 44% | 14% | 13% | 28% | 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 50% | 16% | 12% | 21% | 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 43% | 14% | 13% | 25% | 4% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 50% | 15% | 10% | 23% | 2% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 50% | 13% | 8% | 22% | 8% | 620 |
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 views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about human evolution | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 31% | 66% | 1% | 2% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 43% | 55% | 1% | 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 28% | 64% | 4% | 4% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 59% | 39% | 1% | 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 37% | 55% | 4% | 4% | 620 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Views about human evolution | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 46% | 13% | 7% | 33% | < 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 56% | 14% | 8% | 21% | 1% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 51% | 15% | 3% | 27% | 3% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 74% | 9% | 5% | 11% | 1% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 68% | 9% | 4% | 16% | 3% | 620 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Views about human evolution | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 43% | 32% | 2% | 19% | 5% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 42% | 42% | 3% | 7% | 5% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 44% | 25% | 8% | 11% | 12% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 64% | 26% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 51% | 23% | 11% | 6% | 9% | 620 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Views about human evolution | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 87% | 8% | 5% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 92% | 4% | 3% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 81% | 9% | 10% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 87% | 6% | 7% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 87% | 3% | 9% | 620 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Views about human evolution | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 69% | 25% | 6% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 79% | 15% | 7% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 61% | 22% | 17% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 82% | 12% | 6% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 73% | 14% | 13% | 620 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about human evolution | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 29% | 19% | 52% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 43% | 17% | 40% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 30% | 24% | 46% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 57% | 16% | 27% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 41% | 27% | 31% | 620 |
Political ideology among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about human evolution | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 34% | 33% | 26% | 6% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 45% | 33% | 16% | 6% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 44% | 27% | 18% | 11% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 62% | 22% | 10% | 7% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 52% | 21% | 10% | 17% | 620 |
Views about size of government among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Views about human evolution | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 37% | 59% | 2% | 2% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 52% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 44% | 43% | 4% | 9% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 64% | 31% | 3% | 3% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 48% | 35% | 7% | 10% | 620 |
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 views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Views about human evolution | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 39% | 57% | 2% | 1% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 46% | 48% | 4% | 2% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 42% | 48% | 7% | 3% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 56% | 38% | 4% | 2% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 43% | 40% | 9% | 8% | 620 |
Views about abortion among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Views about human evolution | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 47% | 49% | 4% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 39% | 58% | 3% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 31% | 57% | 12% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 23% | 74% | 3% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 19% | 67% | 14% | 620 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Views about human evolution | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 62% | 32% | 3% | 4% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 52% | 40% | 5% | 4% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 42% | 41% | 7% | 10% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 26% | 66% | 4% | 3% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 26% | 51% | 11% | 12% | 620 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Views about human evolution | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 50% | 44% | 6% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 41% | 51% | 8% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 30% | 56% | 14% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 18% | 76% | 6% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 18% | 64% | 18% | 620 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about human evolution
% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about human evolution | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolved; due to natural processes | 39% | 57% | 1% | 3% | 1,089 |
Evolved; due to God's design | 40% | 56% | 1% | 2% | 3,227 |
Evolved; don't know how | 35% | 47% | 7% | 11% | 294 |
Always existed in present form | 51% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 6,524 |
Don't know | 41% | 32% | 8% | 18% | 620 |