Views about size of government 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 would rather have…
Survey year | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 50% | 44% | 3% | 4% | 5,262 |
2007 | 41% | 49% | 4% | 6% | 5,886 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Views about size of government 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 would rather have…
Religious tradition | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 48% | 47% | 2% | 3% | 963 |
Evangelical Protestant | 57% | 37% | 3% | 3% | 511 |
Historically Black Protestant | 24% | 70% | 2% | 4% | 136 |
Jewish | 40% | 54% | 3% | 3% | 235 |
Mainline Protestant | 57% | 35% | 4% | 4% | 778 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 50% | 43% | 2% | 4% | 2,348 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are ages…
Views about size of government | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 22% | 34% | 25% | 19% | 2,680 |
Bigger government; more services | 32% | 33% | 22% | 13% | 2,167 |
Depends | 14% | 42% | 26% | 18% | 135 |
Don't know | 29% | 23% | 25% | 23% | 192 |
Generational cohort among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Views about size of government | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 13% | 16% | 27% | 30% | 12% | 1% | 2,680 |
Bigger government; more services | 21% | 17% | 27% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 2,167 |
Depends | 7% | 15% | 34% | 29% | 14% | 1% | 135 |
Don't know | 17% | 15% | 20% | 32% | 12% | 4% | 192 |
Gender composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Views about size of government | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 71% | 29% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 53% | 47% | 2,200 |
Depends | 69% | 31% | 135 |
Don't know | 52% | 48% | 198 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who identify as…
Views about size of government | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 80% | 4% | 5% | 8% | 3% | 2,691 |
Bigger government; more services | 62% | 11% | 6% | 18% | 3% | 2,181 |
Depends | 80% | 5% | 1% | 7% | 6% | 132 |
Don't know | 82% | 5% | < 1% | 9% | 3% | 195 |
Immigrant status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Views about size of government | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 8% | 13% | 79% | 2,695 |
Bigger government; more services | 18% | 13% | 70% | 2,162 |
Depends | 8% | 4% | 88% | 129 |
Don't know | 9% | 11% | 80% | 189 |
Income distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who have a household income of…
Views about size of government | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 28% | 21% | 29% | 22% | 2,428 |
Bigger government; more services | 44% | 20% | 21% | 15% | 1,921 |
Depends | 48% | 16% | 24% | 13% | 111 |
Don't know | 47% | 19% | 19% | 15% | 151 |
Educational distribution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who have completed…
Views about size of government | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 44% | 32% | 15% | 9% | 2,717 |
Bigger government; more services | 50% | 26% | 14% | 11% | 2,187 |
Depends | 41% | 37% | 15% | 7% | 135 |
Don't know | 50% | 33% | 13% | 4% | 195 |
Marital status among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Views about size of government | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 45% | 9% | 13% | 6% | 28% | 2,713 |
Bigger government; more services | 35% | 10% | 13% | 5% | 36% | 2,185 |
Depends | 46% | 6% | 13% | 8% | 28% | 135 |
Don't know | 36% | 8% | 18% | 8% | 29% | 195 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Views about size of government | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 24% | 76% | 2,717 |
Bigger government; more services | 27% | 73% | 2,191 |
Depends | 32% | 68% | 135 |
Don't know | 20% | 80% | 197 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say they…
Views about size of government | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 28% | 30% | 13% | 1% | 24% | 5% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 32% | 24% | 12% | 1% | 28% | 3% | 2,200 |
Depends | 36% | 21% | 12% | < 1% | 22% | 9% | 135 |
Don't know | 33% | 20% | 12% | 1% | 21% | 14% | 198 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say religion is…
Views about size of government | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 15% | 32% | 26% | 27% | < 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 23% | 30% | 21% | 26% | 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 25% | 27% | 20% | 27% | 1% | 135 |
Don't know | 18% | 29% | 23% | 29% | 1% | 198 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who attend religious services…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 8% | 29% | 62% | < 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 12% | 31% | 57% | < 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 12% | 28% | 60% | < 1% | 135 |
Don't know | 10% | 21% | 68% | 1% | 198 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who pray…
Views about size of government | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 17% | 13% | 10% | 60% | 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 23% | 12% | 7% | 57% | 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 28% | 13% | 3% | 52% | 4% | 135 |
Don't know | 20% | 19% | 8% | 51% | 2% | 198 |
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 views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who attend prayer group…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 4% | 3% | 3% | 90% | < 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 6% | 3% | 5% | 85% | < 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 2% | 2% | 1% | 94% | < 1% | 135 |
Don't know | 5% | 3% | 5% | 87% | < 1% | 198 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who meditate…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 14% | 6% | 3% | 76% | 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 16% | 6% | 3% | 74% | 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 21% | 1% | 9% | 68% | 1% | 135 |
Don't know | 14% | 6% | 5% | 71% | 3% | 198 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 27% | 13% | 15% | 44% | 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 26% | 12% | 13% | 48% | 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 37% | 15% | 14% | 32% | 2% | 135 |
Don't know | 31% | 15% | 11% | 42% | 2% | 198 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% 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
Views about size of government | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 9% | 12% | 66% | 12% | 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 13% | 13% | 54% | 18% | 2% | 2,200 |
Depends | 8% | 13% | 62% | 13% | 4% | 135 |
Don't know | 11% | 12% | 59% | 12% | 8% | 198 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say…
Views about size of government | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 28% | 70% | 1% | 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 18% | 81% | 1% | 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 21% | 65% | 13% | 2% | 135 |
Don't know | 13% | 81% | 4% | 2% | 198 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who read scripture…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 6% | 5% | 5% | 84% | < 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 9% | 6% | 6% | 78% | < 1% | 2,200 |
Depends | 9% | 3% | 4% | 84% | < 1% | 135 |
Don't know | 7% | 8% | 4% | 81% | 1% | 198 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say the holy scripture is…
Views about size of government | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 10% | 21% | 1% | 61% | 8% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 18% | 19% | 1% | 56% | 6% | 2,200 |
Depends | 9% | 10% | < 1% | 58% | 23% | 135 |
Don't know | 16% | 11% | 5% | 48% | 20% | 198 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …in heaven
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 51% | 40% | 9% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 52% | 41% | 7% | 2,200 |
Depends | 41% | 42% | 17% | 135 |
Don't know | 51% | 30% | 19% | 198 |
Belief in Hell among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …in hell
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 39% | 53% | 8% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 40% | 53% | 7% | 2,200 |
Depends | 34% | 47% | 20% | 135 |
Don't know | 39% | 37% | 24% | 198 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who identify as…
Views about size of government | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 46% | 21% | 33% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 16% | 20% | 64% | 2,200 |
Depends | 21% | 26% | 54% | 135 |
Don't know | 13% | 33% | 54% | 198 |
Political ideology among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who are…
Views about size of government | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 34% | 39% | 20% | 7% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 16% | 30% | 45% | 9% | 2,200 |
Depends | 16% | 40% | 28% | 17% | 135 |
Don't know | 14% | 30% | 29% | 26% | 198 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say government aid to the poor…
Views about size of government | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 59% | 36% | 3% | 1% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 24% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 2,200 |
Depends | 27% | 52% | 17% | 4% | 135 |
Don't know | 24% | 54% | 9% | 13% | 198 |
Views about abortion among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say abortion should be…
Views about size of government | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 69% | 28% | 3% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 67% | 29% | 3% | 2,200 |
Depends | 62% | 29% | 8% | 135 |
Don't know | 62% | 25% | 13% | 198 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say homosexuality…
Views about size of government | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 70% | 24% | 4% | 3% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 79% | 17% | 1% | 3% | 2,200 |
Depends | 69% | 18% | 8% | 6% | 135 |
Don't know | 69% | 17% | 3% | 10% | 198 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who …same-sex marriage
Views about size of government | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 62% | 30% | 8% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 72% | 22% | 6% | 2,200 |
Depends | 67% | 23% | 10% | 135 |
Don't know | 62% | 23% | 15% | 198 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say…
Views about size of government | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 44% | 52% | 2% | 2% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 27% | 69% | 2% | 3% | 2,200 |
Depends | 24% | 61% | 10% | 5% | 135 |
Don't know | 28% | 55% | 5% | 12% | 198 |
Views about human evolution among adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about size of government
% of adults who seldom or never feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing who say humans…
Views about size of government | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 54% | 19% | 4% | 20% | 4% | 2,729 |
Bigger government; more services | 55% | 15% | 4% | 22% | 3% | 2,200 |
Depends | 48% | 17% | 9% | 17% | 9% | 135 |
Don't know | 48% | 10% | 12% | 13% | 18% | 198 |