Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who pray daily

% of adults who pray daily who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201450%7%35%5%3%19,336
200743%7%43%4%4%21,138
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: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who pray daily by religious group

% of adults who pray daily who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Buddhist8%28%41%19%5%110
Catholic40%8%43%7%3%4,335
Evangelical Protestant67%4%24%2%2%6,852
Hindu12%23%40%24%2%102
Historically Black Protestant51%5%38%4%2%1,538
Jehovah's Witness80%1%13%2%4%221
Jewish44%9%36%7%4%213
Mainline Protestant42%8%42%4%3%3,342
Mormon71%3%21%2%4%571
Muslim46%9%32%10%4%164
Orthodox Christian38%12%44%3%3%100
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")21%14%53%8%4%1,333
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: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion15%33%30%22%9,691
Philosophy/reason26%33%26%15%1,391
Common sense17%34%29%20%6,391
Science19%39%26%16%839
Don't know14%32%27%27%582
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion9%11%28%36%15%2%9,691
Philosophy/reason14%18%27%30%10%1%1,391
Common sense10%12%29%34%13%2%6,391
Science11%15%32%31%10%1%839
Don't know9%9%28%32%20%2%582
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion39%61%9,931
Philosophy/reason44%56%1,411
Common sense41%59%6,519
Science46%54%856
Don't know50%50%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion65%15%2%14%4%9,804
Philosophy/reason59%13%4%19%5%1,394
Common sense61%16%3%15%5%6,413
Science45%13%7%30%4%843
Don't know67%12%3%13%4%585
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion13%8%79%9,807
Philosophy/reason18%12%70%1,394
Common sense14%10%76%6,430
Science33%11%56%840
Don't know15%7%78%602
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion36%21%28%15%8,514
Philosophy/reason38%18%25%19%1,263
Common sense41%20%24%15%5,621
Science40%21%23%17%754
Don't know36%24%23%17%458
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion42%33%16%9%9,876
Philosophy/reason32%32%22%15%1,406
Common sense46%32%13%8%6,481
Science42%26%16%15%849
Don't know35%34%18%13%609
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion58%3%13%8%18%9,884
Philosophy/reason43%10%16%6%26%1,405
Common sense47%8%15%9%20%6,495
Science45%9%17%5%24%853
Don't know51%4%14%13%19%606
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion31%69%9,887
Philosophy/reason29%71%1,411
Common sense30%70%6,502
Science33%67%853
Don't know27%73%610
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

Belief in God among adults who pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who say they…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Religion92%6%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%9,931
Philosophy/reason71%22%4%1%1%1%1,411
Common sense79%17%2%1%1%1%6,519
Science63%28%5%1%2%1%856
Don't know86%9%2%2%< 1%1%619
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.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion93%6%< 1%< 1%< 1%9,931
Philosophy/reason60%27%7%5%< 1%1,411
Common sense65%27%4%3%1%6,519
Science60%28%7%5%< 1%856
Don't know78%13%1%3%5%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion71%21%7%< 1%9,931
Philosophy/reason35%40%25%< 1%1,411
Common sense36%41%22%< 1%6,519
Science36%42%21%1%856
Don't know52%28%16%3%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion54%13%9%24%1%9,931
Philosophy/reason24%12%13%51%1%1,411
Common sense24%12%11%53%< 1%6,519
Science25%15%11%49%< 1%856
Don't know35%12%9%40%3%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion59%7%2%30%2%9,931
Philosophy/reason61%7%3%27%1%1,411
Common sense49%7%3%39%1%6,519
Science52%10%4%32%1%856
Don't know58%5%3%28%6%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion84%9%3%3%1%9,931
Philosophy/reason70%15%6%8%1%1,411
Common sense67%15%9%8%1%6,519
Science67%15%7%9%1%856
Don't know77%8%5%6%4%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion52%15%10%21%2%9,931
Philosophy/reason62%13%9%14%1%1,411
Common sense46%15%12%25%1%6,519
Science52%16%13%18%< 1%856
Don't know54%12%11%17%6%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion53%44%2%1%9,931
Philosophy/reason29%69%2%1%1,411
Common sense28%69%1%1%6,519
Science25%72%1%1%856
Don't know33%54%6%8%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion73%10%5%11%1%9,931
Philosophy/reason42%15%10%33%1%1,411
Common sense40%14%10%36%1%6,519
Science36%14%13%36%1%856
Don't know56%12%7%23%3%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion58%30%4%4%4%9,931
Philosophy/reason22%33%2%35%8%1,411
Common sense33%32%3%23%9%6,519
Science34%26%2%31%7%856
Don't know29%28%14%13%18%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion89%5%6%9,931
Philosophy/reason75%17%8%1,411
Common sense86%9%6%6,519
Science77%17%6%856
Don't know79%8%14%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion80%13%7%9,931
Philosophy/reason54%39%7%1,411
Common sense66%26%8%6,519
Science58%34%8%856
Don't know60%21%19%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion51%17%32%9,931
Philosophy/reason32%16%52%1,411
Common sense35%18%47%6,519
Science26%18%57%856
Don't know34%29%37%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion56%25%12%7%9,931
Philosophy/reason28%37%31%4%1,411
Common sense35%36%22%7%6,519
Science32%33%31%5%856
Don't know39%28%20%13%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion58%35%3%3%9,931
Philosophy/reason47%47%4%3%1,411
Common sense49%44%3%4%6,519
Science35%59%2%3%856
Don't know43%30%11%16%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion52%42%4%2%9,931
Philosophy/reason36%59%4%2%1,411
Common sense45%49%4%2%6,519
Science39%56%2%3%856
Don't know36%38%15%10%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion27%69%4%9,931
Philosophy/reason59%37%3%1,411
Common sense55%40%5%6,519
Science59%36%5%856
Don't know38%46%16%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion33%57%5%4%9,931
Philosophy/reason72%22%4%2%1,411
Common sense64%28%4%4%6,519
Science71%24%3%2%856
Don't know44%33%10%12%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion25%68%7%9,931
Philosophy/reason64%29%7%1,411
Common sense53%37%9%6,519
Science61%31%8%856
Don't know35%45%20%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion47%47%3%4%9,931
Philosophy/reason29%66%2%2%1,411
Common sense40%54%2%3%6,519
Science31%64%2%3%856
Don't know32%47%8%13%619
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 pray daily by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who pray daily 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
Religion8%26%2%59%5%9,931
Philosophy/reason32%34%5%25%4%1,411
Common sense23%32%4%36%5%6,519
Science40%24%4%29%3%856
Don't know8%26%13%30%22%619
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.