Survey year | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 33% | 62% | 4% | 1% | 3,881 |
Learn More: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Religious tradition | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 40% | 55% | 4% | 1% | 738 |
Evangelical Protestant | 42% | 55% | 3% | < 1% | 408 |
Historically Black Protestant | 39% | 57% | 1% | 3% | 111 |
Jewish | 25% | 71% | 4% | < 1% | 144 |
Mainline Protestant | 39% | 55% | 4% | 1% | 647 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 27% | 68% | 4% | 1% | 1,396 |
Learn More: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Views about government aid to the poor | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 34% | 31% | 23% | 12% | 1,218 |
Does more good than harm | 33% | 34% | 21% | 12% | 2,421 |
Neither/both equally | 32% | 41% | 17% | 10% | 138 |
Generational cohort among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 23% | 17% | 25% | 26% | 9% | 1% | 1,218 |
Does more good than harm | 21% | 19% | 27% | 25% | 7% | 1% | 2,421 |
Neither/both equally | 18% | 22% | 32% | 21% | 5% | 1% | 138 |
Gender composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 60% | 40% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 50% | 50% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 69% | 31% | 142 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about government aid to the poor | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 70% | 7% | 5% | 16% | 3% | 1,223 |
Does more good than harm | 66% | 8% | 6% | 15% | 4% | 2,425 |
Neither/both equally | 62% | 9% | 7% | 17% | 5% | 139 |
Immigrant status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 15% | 12% | 74% | 1,221 |
Does more good than harm | 16% | 15% | 69% | 2,432 |
Neither/both equally | 19% | 9% | 72% | 139 |
Income distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Views about government aid to the poor | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 27% | 19% | 31% | 23% | 1,096 |
Does more good than harm | 32% | 18% | 25% | 26% | 2,235 |
Neither/both equally | 34% | 19% | 28% | 19% | 120 |
Educational distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Views about government aid to the poor | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 34% | 35% | 19% | 12% | 1,235 |
Does more good than harm | 26% | 30% | 24% | 20% | 2,444 |
Neither/both equally | 30% | 34% | 22% | 15% | 141 |
Marital status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 44% | 8% | 11% | 5% | 32% | 1,232 |
Does more good than harm | 39% | 10% | 13% | 4% | 34% | 2,448 |
Neither/both equally | 29% | 8% | 16% | 3% | 44% | 142 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 26% | 74% | 1,238 |
Does more good than harm | 26% | 74% | 2,448 |
Neither/both equally | 21% | 79% | 141 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 50% | 24% | 10% | 1% | 11% | 3% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 37% | 27% | 11% | < 1% | 20% | 4% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 50% | 24% | 6% | 2% | 11% | 7% | 142 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Views about government aid to the poor | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 36% | 32% | 17% | 15% | < 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 28% | 31% | 19% | 22% | 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 33% | 31% | 20% | 15% | 1% | 142 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 21% | 39% | 39% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 18% | 37% | 45% | < 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 14% | 46% | 39% | 1% | 142 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 40% | 20% | 8% | 31% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 34% | 18% | 8% | 39% | < 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 39% | 18% | 7% | 32% | 4% | 142 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 12% | 9% | 8% | 71% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 11% | 7% | 8% | 72% | < 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 8% | 11% | 9% | 71% | 1% | 142 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 38% | 9% | 5% | 46% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 40% | 13% | 5% | 41% | 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 45% | 12% | 10% | 33% | < 1% | 142 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 50% | 19% | 10% | 20% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 51% | 19% | 11% | 18% | 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 49% | 14% | 8% | 26% | 2% | 142 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 50% | 17% | 12% | 20% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 59% | 16% | 13% | 13% | < 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 60% | 17% | 6% | 16% | 1% | 142 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 32% | 66% | 1% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 19% | 79% | 1% | < 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 19% | 66% | 11% | 4% | 142 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 22% | 13% | 9% | 55% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 19% | 10% | 10% | 60% | < 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 13% | 11% | 11% | 63% | 1% | 142 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 16% | 28% | 2% | 46% | 8% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 10% | 19% | < 1% | 64% | 6% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 12% | 22% | 1% | 45% | 20% | 142 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Views about government aid to the poor | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 62% | 28% | 9% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 48% | 43% | 9% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 55% | 27% | 17% | 142 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Views about government aid to the poor | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 49% | 42% | 9% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 31% | 62% | 7% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 44% | 42% | 14% | 142 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about government aid to the poor | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 53% | 19% | 28% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 14% | 14% | 72% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 20% | 34% | 46% | 142 |
Political ideology among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 37% | 38% | 20% | 5% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 12% | 35% | 51% | 3% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 18% | 56% | 20% | 6% | 142 |
Views about size of government among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Views about government aid to the poor | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 74% | 23% | 1% | 1% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 31% | 62% | 3% | 4% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 41% | 31% | 23% | 6% | 142 |
Views about abortion among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Views about government aid to the poor | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 57% | 40% | 3% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 77% | 20% | 2% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 62% | 31% | 7% | 142 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Views about government aid to the poor | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 73% | 21% | 4% | 2% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 88% | 9% | 2% | 1% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 76% | 13% | 10% | 1% | 142 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Views about government aid to the poor | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 64% | 30% | 7% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 85% | 11% | 3% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 70% | 15% | 15% | 142 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 47% | 50% | 2% | 2% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 15% | 82% | 1% | 2% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 18% | 62% | 16% | 3% | 142 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…
Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 42% | 29% | 4% | 22% | 3% | 1,241 |
Does more good than harm | 60% | 21% | 4% | 13% | 2% | 2,452 |
Neither/both equally | 36% | 29% | 16% | 13% | 6% | 142 |