Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Survey year | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 11% | 13% | 60% | 15% | 2% | 5,262 |
2007 | 10% | 10% | 68% | 9% | 3% | 5,886 |
Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by religious group
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Religious tradition | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 13% | 10% | 60% | 14% | 2% | 963 |
Evangelical Protestant | 27% | 9% | 56% | 5% | 2% | 511 |
Historically Black Protestant | 31% | 6% | 56% | 6% | 1% | 136 |
Jewish | 3% | 22% | 58% | 15% | 2% | 235 |
Mainline Protestant | 12% | 12% | 66% | 8% | 2% | 778 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 4% | 14% | 61% | 19% | 2% | 2,348 |
Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are ages…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 18% | 35% | 28% | 18% | 492 |
Philosophy/reason | 38% | 30% | 19% | 13% | 691 |
Common sense | 24% | 34% | 25% | 17% | 3,059 |
Science | 33% | 35% | 19% | 13% | 827 |
Don't know | 22% | 25% | 25% | 28% | 105 |
Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 12% | 12% | 29% | 33% | 12% | 1% | 492 |
Philosophy/reason | 25% | 19% | 24% | 22% | 9% | 1% | 691 |
Common sense | 15% | 16% | 27% | 30% | 11% | 1% | 3,059 |
Science | 21% | 20% | 27% | 22% | 9% | 1% | 827 |
Don't know | 11% | 13% | 23% | 30% | 20% | 4% | 105 |
Gender composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Religion | 51% | 49% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 65% | 35% | 703 |
Common sense | 62% | 38% | 3,102 |
Science | 67% | 33% | 846 |
Don't know | 67% | 33% | 106 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who identify as…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 54% | 17% | 3% | 21% | 4% | 493 |
Philosophy/reason | 70% | 5% | 7% | 14% | 4% | 692 |
Common sense | 77% | 7% | 4% | 9% | 3% | 3,073 |
Science | 69% | 5% | 7% | 16% | 3% | 839 |
Don't know | 65% | 1% | 1% | 29% | 4% | 102 |
Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 20% | 9% | 71% | 488 |
Philosophy/reason | 13% | 15% | 72% | 693 |
Common sense | 9% | 11% | 80% | 3,060 |
Science | 20% | 16% | 64% | 831 |
Don't know | 24% | 14% | 62% | 103 |
Income distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who have a household income of…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 49% | 21% | 21% | 8% | 427 |
Philosophy/reason | 34% | 19% | 24% | 23% | 629 |
Common sense | 35% | 20% | 26% | 18% | 2,732 |
Science | 31% | 21% | 24% | 24% | 751 |
Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who have completed…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 57% | 29% | 9% | 6% | 502 |
Philosophy/reason | 34% | 31% | 21% | 14% | 701 |
Common sense | 50% | 30% | 13% | 8% | 3,090 |
Science | 37% | 25% | 21% | 17% | 835 |
Don't know | 52% | 29% | 12% | 7% | 106 |
Marital status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 41% | 8% | 17% | 8% | 26% | 501 |
Philosophy/reason | 34% | 11% | 12% | 4% | 39% | 699 |
Common sense | 42% | 9% | 13% | 6% | 29% | 3,088 |
Science | 39% | 9% | 10% | 4% | 38% | 837 |
Don't know | 36% | 6% | 14% | 13% | 31% | 103 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Religion | 28% | 72% | 504 |
Philosophy/reason | 21% | 79% | 699 |
Common sense | 26% | 74% | 3,090 |
Science | 26% | 74% | 841 |
Don't know | 24% | 76% | 106 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say they…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 71% | 19% | 6% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 23% | 24% | 17% | < 1% | 30% | 6% | 703 |
Common sense | 28% | 30% | 12% | 1% | 24% | 5% | 3,102 |
Science | 16% | 20% | 13% | < 1% | 47% | 4% | 846 |
Don't know | 40% | 23% | 8% | 5% | 19% | 5% | 106 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say religion is…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 61% | 27% | 7% | 4% | 1% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 12% | 30% | 27% | 30% | < 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 14% | 34% | 25% | 27% | < 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 11% | 23% | 25% | 40% | < 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 23% | 32% | 16% | 25% | 3% | 106 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who attend religious services…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 31% | 38% | 30% | 1% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 6% | 32% | 62% | < 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 7% | 29% | 63% | < 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 7% | 25% | 68% | < 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 16% | 22% | 57% | 5% | 106 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who pray…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 54% | 17% | 7% | 21% | 1% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 15% | 14% | 9% | 61% | 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 17% | 13% | 9% | 60% | 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 10% | 8% | 7% | 74% | 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 32% | 15% | 6% | 47% | 1% | 106 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who attend prayer group…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 18% | 7% | 8% | 67% | < 1% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 4% | 3% | 2% | 90% | < 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 4% | 2% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 4% | 2% | 5% | 89% | < 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 4% | 3% | 3% | 89% | 1% | 106 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who meditate…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 27% | 6% | 2% | 62% | 3% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 17% | 9% | 4% | 68% | 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 13% | 5% | 4% | 78% | 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 13% | 4% | 3% | 79% | 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 20% | 9% | 2% | 62% | 8% | 106 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 21% | 9% | 9% | 58% | 3% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 37% | 16% | 16% | 31% | 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 25% | 12% | 15% | 48% | 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 32% | 14% | 15% | 38% | < 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 23% | 9% | 10% | 51% | 6% | 106 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 31% | 66% | 2% | 1% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 22% | 75% | 3% | < 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 23% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 17% | 82% | < 1% | 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 27% | 63% | 5% | 4% | 106 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who read scripture…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 27% | 12% | 6% | 55% | 1% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 9% | 6% | 8% | 77% | < 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 5% | 4% | 5% | 85% | < 1% | 3,102 |
Science | 3% | 2% | 6% | 88% | < 1% | 846 |
Don't know | 7% | 7% | 3% | 83% | < 1% | 106 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say the holy scripture is…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 43% | 32% | 2% | 18% | 6% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 9% | 13% | < 1% | 70% | 7% | 703 |
Common sense | 11% | 20% | 1% | 60% | 8% | 3,102 |
Science | 8% | 11% | < 1% | 74% | 6% | 846 |
Don't know | 18% | 22% | 2% | 31% | 27% | 106 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …in heaven
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 82% | 12% | 6% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 43% | 48% | 9% | 703 |
Common sense | 51% | 40% | 9% | 3,102 |
Science | 34% | 58% | 8% | 846 |
Don't know | 64% | 27% | 9% | 106 |
Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …in hell
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 68% | 25% | 8% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 30% | 61% | 9% | 703 |
Common sense | 39% | 52% | 9% | 3,102 |
Science | 25% | 69% | 6% | 846 |
Don't know | 48% | 34% | 18% | 106 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who identify as…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 33% | 24% | 44% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 28% | 16% | 57% | 703 |
Common sense | 34% | 21% | 45% | 3,102 |
Science | 22% | 19% | 59% | 846 |
Don't know | 28% | 42% | 30% | 106 |
Political ideology among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 34% | 29% | 26% | 12% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 18% | 37% | 40% | 4% | 703 |
Common sense | 26% | 36% | 28% | 9% | 3,102 |
Science | 19% | 32% | 43% | 6% | 846 |
Don't know | 26% | 30% | 23% | 21% | 106 |
Views about size of government among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who would rather have…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 40% | 54% | 2% | 4% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 49% | 45% | 3% | 3% | 703 |
Common sense | 55% | 39% | 3% | 4% | 3,102 |
Science | 40% | 54% | 2% | 3% | 846 |
Don't know | 37% | 42% | 6% | 16% | 106 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say government aid to the poor…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 44% | 50% | 2% | 3% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 34% | 59% | 5% | 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 46% | 49% | 3% | 2% | 3,102 |
Science | 31% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 846 |
Don't know | 27% | 50% | 10% | 14% | 106 |
Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say abortion should be…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 39% | 56% | 5% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 75% | 21% | 3% | 703 |
Common sense | 70% | 26% | 4% | 3,102 |
Science | 75% | 22% | 3% | 846 |
Don't know | 44% | 36% | 20% | 106 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say homosexuality…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 48% | 43% | 4% | 4% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 84% | 11% | 3% | 1% | 703 |
Common sense | 74% | 20% | 3% | 3% | 3,102 |
Science | 83% | 14% | 1% | 2% | 846 |
Don't know | 57% | 25% | 8% | 10% | 106 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …same-sex marriage
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 38% | 53% | 9% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 79% | 16% | 4% | 703 |
Common sense | 67% | 25% | 8% | 3,102 |
Science | 78% | 19% | 3% | 846 |
Don't know | 49% | 28% | 23% | 106 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 48% | 45% | 2% | 5% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 24% | 70% | 3% | 2% | 703 |
Common sense | 38% | 58% | 2% | 3% | 3,102 |
Science | 26% | 72% | 1% | 2% | 846 |
Don't know | 33% | 46% | 9% | 13% | 106 |
Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by sources of guidance on right and wrong
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say humans…
Sources of guidance on right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | 19% | 27% | 4% | 44% | 6% | 505 |
Philosophy/reason | 66% | 14% | 5% | 13% | 2% | 703 |
Common sense | 54% | 18% | 4% | 20% | 4% | 3,102 |
Science | 74% | 9% | 2% | 13% | 2% | 846 |
Don't know | 31% | 18% | 10% | 19% | 23% | 106 |