Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201410%15%60%13%2%4,984
20077%13%68%8%4%3,707
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion26%40%24%9%404
Philosophy/reason39%33%20%7%771
Common sense31%39%21%9%2,893
Science37%36%19%9%710
Don't know30%33%29%8%125
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion14%25%27%27%6%1%404
Philosophy/reason25%22%25%23%4%< 1%771
Common sense19%20%31%24%5%< 1%2,893
Science24%20%29%21%6%< 1%710
Don't know15%19%29%30%7%< 1%125
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion47%53%417
Philosophy/reason55%45%781
Common sense53%47%2,937
Science59%41%718
Don't know55%45%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion47%23%3%21%5%401
Philosophy/reason62%10%8%15%5%773
Common sense68%11%3%12%5%2,888
Science58%8%9%20%5%707
Don't know61%16%3%15%5%119
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion19%8%74%400
Philosophy/reason16%14%70%768
Common sense10%11%79%2,885
Science25%11%64%704
Don't know16%5%79%126
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion49%19%21%12%356
Philosophy/reason33%20%27%20%701
Common sense37%22%25%16%2,619
Science37%19%22%22%641
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion62%26%8%4%414
Philosophy/reason34%33%20%13%778
Common sense46%33%14%7%2,931
Science39%26%20%15%713
Don't know40%37%14%9%126
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion38%10%17%4%32%412
Philosophy/reason37%11%11%2%38%779
Common sense39%12%12%4%34%2,928
Science40%10%9%2%38%714
Don't know33%8%12%4%42%127
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion34%66%413
Philosophy/reason23%77%779
Common sense29%71%2,927
Science26%74%716
Don't know31%69%130
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion75%16%5%1%3%1%417
Philosophy/reason29%26%16%1%22%6%781
Common sense35%29%12%1%19%5%2,937
Science22%25%14%< 1%34%6%718
Don't know53%19%5%3%11%8%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion59%25%8%6%2%417
Philosophy/reason14%25%32%29%1%781
Common sense13%28%29%29%1%2,937
Science8%23%29%39%1%718
Don't know32%27%11%22%7%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion25%35%39%1%417
Philosophy/reason4%28%67%< 1%781
Common sense4%27%69%< 1%2,937
Science1%25%73%< 1%718
Don't know9%23%65%2%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion60%20%5%14%< 1%417
Philosophy/reason23%14%9%53%1%781
Common sense23%14%8%54%1%2,937
Science15%12%8%65%< 1%718
Don't know46%5%5%42%2%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion27%11%7%55%< 1%417
Philosophy/reason6%4%4%86%< 1%781
Common sense4%3%4%89%< 1%2,937
Science2%3%5%89%< 1%718
Don't know11%5%2%80%2%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion41%9%3%44%3%417
Philosophy/reason33%14%6%47%1%781
Common sense25%9%4%61%1%2,937
Science22%9%5%62%1%718
Don't know48%6%1%42%3%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion57%12%9%19%3%417
Philosophy/reason47%19%10%24%1%781
Common sense39%15%12%33%2%2,937
Science38%16%12%33%2%718
Don't know53%8%6%22%11%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion43%10%11%32%4%417
Philosophy/reason56%17%12%14%< 1%781
Common sense40%16%13%31%1%2,937
Science43%16%11%29%< 1%718
Don't know45%9%6%30%10%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion33%64%2%1%417
Philosophy/reason20%77%2%1%781
Common sense22%76%1%1%2,937
Science18%80%< 1%1%718
Don't know26%54%6%14%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion42%10%5%42%2%417
Philosophy/reason10%8%7%75%< 1%781
Common sense9%7%5%79%< 1%2,937
Science4%4%6%85%1%718
Don't know21%3%5%70%1%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion52%23%3%16%6%417
Philosophy/reason7%11%< 1%74%8%781
Common sense10%16%1%65%9%2,937
Science8%11%< 1%74%7%718
Don't know12%18%11%35%24%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion81%13%7%417
Philosophy/reason38%50%12%781
Common sense50%39%10%2,937
Science36%55%9%718
Don't know58%25%17%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion65%29%7%417
Philosophy/reason24%65%10%781
Common sense36%54%10%2,937
Science28%66%7%718
Don't know44%34%22%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion31%32%37%417
Philosophy/reason19%23%58%781
Common sense28%25%47%2,937
Science21%23%56%718
Don't know19%41%40%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion30%30%26%14%417
Philosophy/reason14%38%41%6%781
Common sense23%37%30%9%2,937
Science18%32%42%7%718
Don't know20%30%24%26%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion39%53%3%4%417
Philosophy/reason43%49%4%3%781
Common sense51%43%3%3%2,937
Science41%53%3%3%718
Don't know33%34%8%25%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion41%50%5%4%417
Philosophy/reason32%63%4%1%781
Common sense44%50%4%2%2,937
Science37%58%3%2%718
Don't know23%58%8%12%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion39%55%6%417
Philosophy/reason73%23%4%781
Common sense69%27%4%2,937
Science71%24%6%718
Don't know50%28%22%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion48%42%4%5%417
Philosophy/reason88%7%3%2%781
Common sense79%14%3%3%2,937
Science83%13%2%2%718
Don't know64%13%7%16%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion40%51%9%417
Philosophy/reason85%10%5%781
Common sense73%20%7%2,937
Science76%18%6%718
Don't know57%14%28%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion39%52%3%6%417
Philosophy/reason21%74%3%2%781
Common sense34%62%2%3%2,937
Science24%71%2%2%718
Don't know17%55%9%19%131
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 nothing in particulars by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of nothing in particulars 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
Religion17%29%4%44%6%417
Philosophy/reason63%17%6%10%3%781
Common sense53%19%5%20%3%2,937
Science68%12%4%14%2%718
Don't know30%19%13%18%19%131
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.