Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Survey year | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 31% | 31% | 18% | 19% | 1% | 3,881 |
2007 | 35% | 34% | 15% | 15% | 1% | 3,367 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Religious tradition | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 47% | 39% | 11% | 3% | 1% | 738 |
Evangelical Protestant | 53% | 39% | 5% | 3% | < 1% | 408 |
Historically Black Protestant | 72% | 20% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 111 |
Jewish | 24% | 41% | 24% | 11% | < 1% | 144 |
Mainline Protestant | 38% | 42% | 15% | 4% | < 1% | 647 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 9% | 20% | 29% | 41% | 1% | 1,396 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Importance of religion in one's life | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 25% | 33% | 26% | 16% | 1,146 |
Somewhat important | 34% | 36% | 21% | 9% | 1,185 |
Not too important | 39% | 33% | 19% | 9% | 702 |
Not at all important | 38% | 32% | 18% | 12% | 763 |
Generational cohort among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 15% | 15% | 28% | 30% | 11% | 1% | 1,146 |
Somewhat important | 22% | 20% | 28% | 24% | 6% | < 1% | 1,185 |
Not too important | 28% | 19% | 25% | 23% | 5% | < 1% | 702 |
Not at all important | 25% | 20% | 24% | 22% | 8% | 1% | 763 |
Gender composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 55% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 55% | 45% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 57% | 43% | 708 |
Not at all important | 65% | 35% | 772 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 57% | 15% | 4% | 20% | 4% | 1,152 |
Somewhat important | 68% | 6% | 7% | 15% | 3% | 1,187 |
Not too important | 73% | 4% | 7% | 12% | 4% | 703 |
Not at all important | 75% | 4% | 6% | 11% | 4% | 763 |
Immigrant status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 20% | 11% | 70% | 1,152 |
Somewhat important | 16% | 16% | 68% | 1,190 |
Not too important | 12% | 15% | 73% | 706 |
Not at all important | 12% | 14% | 73% | 760 |
Income distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Importance of religion in one's life | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 41% | 16% | 24% | 19% | 1,017 |
Somewhat important | 29% | 18% | 28% | 25% | 1,092 |
Not too important | 25% | 20% | 28% | 27% | 643 |
Not at all important | 23% | 18% | 29% | 29% | 713 |
Educational distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Importance of religion in one's life | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 37% | 28% | 20% | 15% | 1,166 |
Somewhat important | 27% | 34% | 23% | 16% | 1,198 |
Not too important | 27% | 32% | 24% | 17% | 707 |
Not at all important | 21% | 34% | 24% | 21% | 768 |
Marital status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 46% | 9% | 13% | 6% | 26% | 1,163 |
Somewhat important | 41% | 10% | 12% | 3% | 34% | 1,199 |
Not too important | 36% | 11% | 10% | 2% | 41% | 707 |
Not at all important | 35% | 10% | 13% | 3% | 39% | 771 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 30% | 70% | 1,168 |
Somewhat important | 29% | 71% | 1,197 |
Not too important | 19% | 81% | 708 |
Not at all important | 18% | 82% | 771 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 76% | 17% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 39% | 11% | 1% | 5% | 2% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 15% | 33% | 22% | 1% | 22% | 8% | 708 |
Not at all important | 12% | 13% | 11% | 1% | 57% | 7% | 772 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 36% | 18% | < 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 13% | 58% | 28% | 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 2% | 34% | 64% | < 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 1% | 13% | 86% | < 1% | 772 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 72% | 19% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 32% | 29% | 15% | 23% | 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 14% | 14% | 10% | 62% | < 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 10% | 4% | 3% | 82% | < 1% | 772 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 28% | 15% | 14% | 43% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 6% | 9% | 9% | 75% | < 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 2% | 3% | 4% | 92% | < 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 3% | 1% | 2% | 93% | < 1% | 772 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 57% | 8% | 4% | 30% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 35% | 13% | 6% | 45% | 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 28% | 14% | 7% | 50% | 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 30% | 12% | 5% | 53% | 1% | 772 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 69% | 17% | 7% | 7% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 48% | 21% | 12% | 18% | 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 35% | 21% | 15% | 28% | 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 40% | 17% | 10% | 30% | 3% | 772 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 60% | 13% | 9% | 17% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 53% | 17% | 14% | 16% | 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 55% | 19% | 13% | 13% | 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 54% | 19% | 13% | 14% | < 1% | 772 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 29% | 69% | 2% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 25% | 72% | 2% | 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 19% | 79% | 2% | < 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 16% | 82% | 1% | < 1% | 772 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 17% | 10% | 28% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 13% | 14% | 14% | 59% | < 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 6% | 6% | 8% | 81% | < 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 5% | 4% | 5% | 86% | < 1% | 772 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 29% | 36% | 2% | 25% | 8% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 7% | 26% | 1% | 55% | 11% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 3% | 9% | < 1% | 81% | 6% | 708 |
Not at all important | 2% | 5% | < 1% | 91% | 2% | 772 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 80% | 12% | 8% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 64% | 25% | 11% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 33% | 54% | 12% | 708 |
Not at all important | 13% | 81% | 6% | 772 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 59% | 33% | 8% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 44% | 47% | 9% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 21% | 70% | 9% | 708 |
Not at all important | 9% | 86% | 5% | 772 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 33% | 17% | 50% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 31% | 15% | 54% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 24% | 18% | 58% | 708 |
Not at all important | 15% | 14% | 71% | 772 |
Political ideology among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 31% | 36% | 29% | 5% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 22% | 40% | 35% | 3% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 12% | 40% | 44% | 4% | 708 |
Not at all important | 9% | 29% | 58% | 3% | 772 |
Views about size of government among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Importance of religion in one's life | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 48% | 4% | 3% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 49% | 45% | 3% | 3% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 47% | 47% | 3% | 3% | 708 |
Not at all important | 41% | 51% | 4% | 4% | 772 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Importance of religion in one's life | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 39% | 56% | 4% | 1% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 33% | 62% | 4% | 1% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 30% | 65% | 4% | 2% | 708 |
Not at all important | 26% | 71% | 3% | < 1% | 772 |
Views about abortion among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Importance of religion in one's life | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 54% | 42% | 4% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 70% | 27% | 3% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 84% | 15% | 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 82% | 16% | 2% | 772 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Importance of religion in one's life | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 70% | 25% | 3% | 2% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 84% | 11% | 4% | 2% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 93% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 708 |
Not at all important | 92% | 5% | 3% | 1% | 772 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Importance of religion in one's life | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 61% | 33% | 6% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 78% | 16% | 6% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 90% | 8% | 2% | 708 |
Not at all important | 90% | 7% | 3% | 772 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 32% | 64% | 2% | 2% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 26% | 70% | 2% | 2% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 23% | 73% | 2% | 2% | 708 |
Not at all important | 16% | 79% | 2% | 2% | 772 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 27% | 35% | 6% | 28% | 3% | 1,169 |
Somewhat important | 49% | 30% | 5% | 13% | 2% | 1,202 |
Not too important | 75% | 11% | 5% | 7% | 2% | 708 |
Not at all important | 79% | 9% | 3% | 8% | 1% | 772 |