Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
20145%21%56%16%2%1,819
20074%16%66%11%3%1,189
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: Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by religious group

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic12%15%52%20%1%310
Jewish4%28%53%14%2%118
Mainline Protestant3%19%65%12%2%277
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")3%24%57%15%1%850
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: Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Philosophy/reason45%32%16%8%370
Common sense33%33%20%15%1,003
Science34%37%19%10%307
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Philosophy/reason33%19%24%19%5%< 1%370
Common sense21%18%26%24%9%1%1,003
Science18%24%29%21%7%1%307
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Philosophy/reason60%40%376
Common sense61%39%1,020
Science58%42%309
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Philosophy/reason65%4%10%18%4%372
Common sense72%4%6%15%3%1,008
Science61%6%11%19%3%305
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Philosophy/reason16%20%64%372
Common sense16%14%70%1,011
Science28%12%61%306
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason26%17%26%30%344
Common sense34%16%26%24%918
Science29%19%22%30%282
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Philosophy/reason27%32%22%18%375
Common sense41%29%18%12%1,015
Science32%21%25%22%308
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Philosophy/reason32%10%9%2%46%374
Common sense41%10%9%5%34%1,018
Science47%10%6%3%34%308
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Philosophy/reason19%81%374
Common sense25%75%1,015
Science33%67%308
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

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason9%32%38%20%< 1%376
Common sense7%29%40%23%< 1%1,020
Science7%34%38%20%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason5%35%59%< 1%376
Common sense6%34%59%< 1%1,020
Science5%38%57%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason15%17%12%57%< 1%376
Common sense14%12%11%62%< 1%1,020
Science15%11%11%62%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason5%4%5%86%< 1%376
Common sense3%3%4%90%< 1%1,020
Science3%4%5%88%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason28%13%8%49%2%376
Common sense20%11%6%63%< 1%1,020
Science20%10%8%61%1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason32%23%13%31%1%376
Common sense29%17%14%39%1%1,020
Science31%12%20%37%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason61%17%9%13%1%376
Common sense39%16%16%29%< 1%1,020
Science44%17%21%18%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason18%80%1%1%376
Common sense21%77%1%1%1,020
Science17%81%< 1%1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason7%7%10%75%1%376
Common sense4%6%5%84%< 1%1,020
Science4%2%8%85%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason4%8%< 1%82%7%376
Common sense5%10%< 1%78%7%1,020
Science7%9%< 1%77%7%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason34%52%14%376
Common sense40%46%14%1,020
Science40%51%9%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason22%69%9%376
Common sense30%59%11%1,020
Science26%66%7%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Philosophy/reason19%18%63%376
Common sense28%18%53%1,020
Science19%10%71%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason14%39%45%2%376
Common sense20%41%33%6%1,020
Science15%37%43%6%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason46%48%3%3%376
Common sense49%44%4%3%1,020
Science39%54%5%2%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason30%66%2%2%376
Common sense41%54%3%2%1,020
Science29%66%3%2%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason82%17%1%376
Common sense79%18%3%1,020
Science78%20%2%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason89%9%1%< 1%376
Common sense82%13%2%3%1,020
Science86%12%< 1%2%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Philosophy/reason88%9%3%376
Common sense75%18%6%1,020
Science83%14%3%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason22%74%3%1%376
Common sense32%65%2%2%1,020
Science21%77%2%< 1%309
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 adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who believe in God and are not too or not at all certain 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
Philosophy/reason75%10%6%8%1%376
Common sense65%13%5%14%3%1,020
Science75%8%2%14%1%309
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.