Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say religion is very important

% of adults who say religion is very important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201455%6%32%4%3%18,725
200747%6%40%3%4%20,547
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 say religion is very important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is very important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic43%8%39%8%3%4,220
Evangelical Protestant70%3%22%2%2%6,904
Historically Black Protestant53%5%37%3%2%1,641
Jehovah's Witness82%< 1%11%2%5%224
Jewish40%11%37%7%4%279
Mainline Protestant47%7%39%4%3%3,317
Mormon73%1%18%3%4%559
Muslim51%5%34%7%3%154
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")31%13%45%6%4%826
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion15%33%30%22%10,194
Philosophy/reason25%33%26%16%1,146
Common sense17%32%29%22%5,579
Science19%39%25%17%767
Don't know16%30%27%27%586
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion9%11%28%36%15%2%10,194
Philosophy/reason15%15%28%30%11%1%1,146
Common sense10%12%27%34%15%2%5,579
Science11%16%31%29%12%1%767
Don't know9%10%27%32%20%2%586
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion40%60%10,442
Philosophy/reason45%55%1,169
Common sense44%56%5,706
Science49%51%785
Don't know50%50%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion64%16%2%15%4%10,308
Philosophy/reason57%15%4%20%4%1,152
Common sense58%18%3%16%4%5,620
Science42%13%5%37%4%777
Don't know66%13%2%15%5%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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion14%8%78%10,314
Philosophy/reason20%11%70%1,152
Common sense16%9%76%5,625
Science38%10%52%770
Don't know16%8%77%604
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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%27%15%8,926
Philosophy/reason41%16%24%19%1,017
Common sense42%21%23%14%4,852
Science44%22%18%15%685
Don't know35%23%25%17%460
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion43%33%15%9%10,387
Philosophy/reason37%28%20%15%1,166
Common sense50%31%12%7%5,667
Science47%23%15%14%778
Don't know34%34%18%14%613
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion57%3%13%8%18%10,394
Philosophy/reason46%9%13%6%26%1,163
Common sense48%7%15%9%21%5,680
Science45%8%15%6%26%781
Don't know55%3%13%11%18%613
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion31%69%10,397
Philosophy/reason30%70%1,168
Common sense30%70%5,688
Science35%65%782
Don't know27%73%613
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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%7%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%10,442
Philosophy/reason76%17%3%1%1%1%1,169
Common sense84%12%1%1%1%< 1%5,706
Science66%28%2%1%2%< 1%785
Don't know86%9%< 1%2%1%2%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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
Religion72%21%7%1%10,442
Philosophy/reason45%36%18%< 1%1,169
Common sense45%38%17%1%5,706
Science45%40%15%1%785
Don't know55%30%12%3%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion88%9%1%2%1%10,442
Philosophy/reason72%19%2%5%1%1,169
Common sense75%17%4%4%1%5,706
Science66%21%6%7%< 1%785
Don't know79%12%3%3%4%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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
Religion53%13%9%24%1%10,442
Philosophy/reason28%15%14%43%1%1,169
Common sense28%13%11%48%1%5,706
Science29%15%12%44%< 1%785
Don't know38%12%8%38%4%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion57%7%3%31%3%10,442
Philosophy/reason57%8%4%30%1%1,169
Common sense47%8%4%39%2%5,706
Science49%13%3%32%3%785
Don't know55%4%3%32%6%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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
Religion82%9%4%4%1%10,442
Philosophy/reason69%17%7%7%1%1,169
Common sense69%14%8%8%2%5,706
Science64%15%9%11%1%785
Don't know77%8%4%4%6%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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
Religion51%15%10%22%2%10,442
Philosophy/reason60%13%9%17%1%1,169
Common sense45%16%12%26%2%5,706
Science49%15%14%21%1%785
Don't know54%11%11%17%6%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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
Religion52%45%2%1%10,442
Philosophy/reason29%69%2%1%1,169
Common sense30%67%1%1%5,706
Science27%69%1%3%785
Don't know34%53%7%7%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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
Religion71%10%5%12%1%10,442
Philosophy/reason45%17%10%28%1%1,169
Common sense42%15%11%32%1%5,706
Science36%17%12%34%1%785
Don't know56%12%7%21%4%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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%29%4%4%4%10,442
Philosophy/reason29%36%2%25%8%1,169
Common sense39%33%4%16%9%5,706
Science42%27%2%24%6%785
Don't know31%26%15%12%17%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion89%5%6%10,442
Philosophy/reason80%12%8%1,169
Common sense88%7%5%5,706
Science83%14%4%785
Don't know78%8%14%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion80%13%7%10,442
Philosophy/reason59%33%8%1,169
Common sense70%22%8%5,706
Science63%30%7%785
Don't know62%21%17%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion50%17%33%10,442
Philosophy/reason33%17%50%1,169
Common sense35%18%46%5,706
Science27%18%56%785
Don't know33%30%38%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion56%26%12%7%10,442
Philosophy/reason31%36%29%5%1,169
Common sense38%34%21%7%5,706
Science34%33%28%5%785
Don't know40%29%18%14%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion58%36%3%3%10,442
Philosophy/reason45%48%4%3%1,169
Common sense48%46%3%4%5,706
Science33%64%1%2%785
Don't know44%30%10%16%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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
Religion51%43%4%2%10,442
Philosophy/reason39%56%4%1%1,169
Common sense45%49%4%2%5,706
Science40%55%2%3%785
Don't know37%40%13%9%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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%10,442
Philosophy/reason54%42%4%1,169
Common sense49%45%5%5,706
Science52%44%4%785
Don't know37%46%17%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion34%57%5%4%10,442
Philosophy/reason70%25%3%2%1,169
Common sense59%32%5%4%5,706
Science68%27%2%3%785
Don't know43%35%9%13%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion25%68%7%10,442
Philosophy/reason61%33%6%1,169
Common sense47%43%10%5,706
Science58%34%8%785
Don't know35%46%19%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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%3%10,442
Philosophy/reason32%64%2%2%1,169
Common sense41%52%2%4%5,706
Science35%59%2%4%785
Don't know31%49%7%13%623
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 say religion is very important by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is very important 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%10,442
Philosophy/reason27%35%6%28%3%1,169
Common sense19%32%4%40%6%5,706
Science35%27%3%31%4%785
Don't know8%28%14%29%22%623
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.