Sources of guidance on right and wrong among whites

% of whites who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201432%11%46%8%2%24,900
200729%9%54%5%3%27,309
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 whites by religious group

% of whites who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Buddhist3%31%33%22%11%141
Catholic28%10%53%7%2%4,827
Evangelical Protestant60%4%30%3%2%6,633
Jewish16%16%50%15%4%782
Mainline Protestant29%11%52%6%3%5,322
Mormon67%4%23%4%3%575
Orthodox Christian25%14%50%8%3%153
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")5%18%59%16%2%5,490
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion13%29%32%26%7,976
Philosophy/reason27%33%25%15%2,789
Common sense19%33%28%21%10,874
Science27%34%23%16%2,158
Don't know14%28%28%29%673
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion8%9%24%39%18%2%7,976
Philosophy/reason17%17%26%29%10%1%2,789
Common sense11%13%27%33%13%1%10,874
Science18%16%28%28%10%1%2,158
Don't know8%9%25%35%20%3%673
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion42%58%8,122
Philosophy/reason55%45%2,824
Common sense51%49%11,053
Science56%44%2,194
Don't know52%48%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.

Immigrant status among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion3%6%91%8,058
Philosophy/reason6%9%85%2,804
Common sense4%8%88%10,966
Science7%10%83%2,167
Don't know4%8%88%700
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion29%21%32%18%7,009
Philosophy/reason24%18%30%29%2,562
Common sense29%20%29%22%9,705
Science24%17%30%30%1,970
Don't know24%26%29%21%541
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion39%33%17%10%8,094
Philosophy/reason23%31%26%20%2,816
Common sense41%33%17%10%11,013
Science25%28%26%21%2,181
Don't know30%33%21%16%699
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion64%3%11%9%14%8,089
Philosophy/reason45%10%13%5%27%2,817
Common sense50%9%13%7%21%11,021
Science48%8%11%4%29%2,179
Don't know54%5%11%12%18%698
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion28%72%8,093
Philosophy/reason24%76%2,820
Common sense26%74%11,030
Science25%75%2,188
Don't know23%77%701
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 whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion93%6%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%8,122
Philosophy/reason38%27%10%1%20%5%2,824
Common sense50%27%7%1%12%3%11,053
Science28%24%10%< 1%33%5%2,194
Don't know66%16%3%3%6%6%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.

Importance of religion in one's life among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion88%10%1%1%< 1%8,122
Philosophy/reason26%32%20%21%1%2,824
Common sense32%35%17%15%1%11,053
Science18%26%21%34%< 1%2,194
Don't know59%20%8%9%5%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.

Attendance at religious services among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion67%23%9%1%8,122
Philosophy/reason16%37%46%< 1%2,824
Common sense18%38%44%< 1%11,053
Science11%33%55%< 1%2,194
Don't know38%32%27%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.

Frequency of prayer among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion85%10%2%3%1%8,122
Philosophy/reason32%19%8%40%1%2,824
Common sense39%19%8%33%1%11,053
Science21%16%6%56%< 1%2,194
Don't know61%14%4%18%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.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion47%12%10%31%1%8,122
Philosophy/reason8%6%8%77%< 1%2,824
Common sense10%6%7%77%< 1%11,053
Science6%4%5%84%< 1%2,194
Don't know23%9%8%56%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.

Frequency of meditation among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion50%6%3%38%2%8,122
Philosophy/reason38%12%6%44%1%2,824
Common sense28%8%5%58%1%11,053
Science25%10%5%59%1%2,194
Don't know44%6%4%38%7%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.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion79%11%5%4%1%8,122
Philosophy/reason47%20%11%20%1%2,824
Common sense45%17%12%24%1%11,053
Science38%19%12%30%2%2,194
Don't know67%10%5%11%7%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.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion48%16%11%23%2%8,122
Philosophy/reason55%17%12%14%1%2,824
Common sense39%17%15%29%1%11,053
Science50%18%13%19%1%2,194
Don't know50%12%11%20%7%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.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion57%40%1%1%8,122
Philosophy/reason24%73%2%1%2,824
Common sense27%71%1%1%11,053
Science20%78%1%1%2,194
Don't know30%57%8%5%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.

Frequency of reading scripture among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion65%11%6%17%1%8,122
Philosophy/reason14%11%10%64%< 1%2,824
Common sense16%9%9%65%1%11,053
Science10%6%7%76%< 1%2,194
Don't know37%10%8%41%4%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.

Interpreting scripture among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion53%34%4%5%4%8,122
Philosophy/reason8%21%1%63%7%2,824
Common sense16%29%2%46%8%11,053
Science8%16%1%69%6%2,194
Don't know20%26%10%26%18%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.

Belief in Heaven among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion88%5%6%8,122
Philosophy/reason50%41%9%2,824
Common sense67%26%8%11,053
Science42%50%7%2,194
Don't know67%17%17%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.

Belief in Hell among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion80%13%7%8,122
Philosophy/reason33%59%8%2,824
Common sense49%42%9%11,053
Science30%64%6%2,194
Don't know48%30%22%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.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion65%14%21%8,122
Philosophy/reason32%13%55%2,824
Common sense41%18%41%11,053
Science27%14%59%2,194
Don't know38%28%34%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.

Political ideology among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion62%24%9%5%8,122
Philosophy/reason20%36%40%3%2,824
Common sense31%38%24%6%11,053
Science20%36%41%3%2,194
Don't know36%31%21%12%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.

Views about size of government among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion73%22%2%3%8,122
Philosophy/reason51%42%4%3%2,824
Common sense61%33%3%4%11,053
Science47%47%3%3%2,194
Don't know48%24%10%18%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.

Views about government aid to the poor among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion60%34%4%2%8,122
Philosophy/reason34%61%4%1%2,824
Common sense49%46%3%2%11,053
Science32%64%3%2%2,194
Don't know34%43%13%9%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.

Views about abortion among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion26%71%3%8,122
Philosophy/reason73%24%3%2,824
Common sense66%30%4%11,053
Science78%20%3%2,194
Don't know48%38%14%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.

Views about homosexuality among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion34%58%5%4%8,122
Philosophy/reason85%11%2%1%2,824
Common sense73%21%3%3%11,053
Science84%12%2%2%2,194
Don't know53%27%9%11%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.

Views about same-sex marriage among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion25%69%7%8,122
Philosophy/reason80%16%4%2,824
Common sense65%28%8%11,053
Science80%15%4%2,194
Don't know47%37%16%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.

Views about environmental regulation among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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
Religion51%43%3%3%8,122
Philosophy/reason23%73%2%2%2,824
Common sense38%57%2%3%11,053
Science24%74%2%1%2,194
Don't know32%51%7%10%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.

Views about human evolution among whites by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of whites 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%60%5%8,122
Philosophy/reason57%23%5%13%2%2,824
Common sense43%26%5%23%4%11,053
Science70%15%3%10%2%2,194
Don't know23%22%17%24%15%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.