Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201434%9%45%10%2%1,366
200728%9%56%4%2%1,896
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in Pennsylvania by religious group

% of adults in Pennsylvania who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic30%7%50%11%3%355
Evangelical Protestant67%5%25%3%1%248
Mainline Protestant29%8%53%7%3%344
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")7%13%57%21%2%243
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion12%31%33%24%466
Philosophy/reason38%24%23%15%128
Common sense23%32%26%20%586
Science29%38%20%14%137
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion6%12%25%39%17%2%466
Philosophy/reason23%22%17%25%11%2%128
Common sense16%11%27%32%12%1%586
Science25%11%30%23%10%1%137
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion40%60%474
Philosophy/reason51%49%128
Common sense49%51%590
Science65%35%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion80%12%2%4%2%469
Philosophy/reason77%10%6%4%3%127
Common sense84%8%1%4%2%583
Science76%8%5%9%2%137
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion6%6%88%468
Philosophy/reason10%8%81%127
Common sense4%7%89%580
Science13%12%75%134
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion39%26%22%13%408
Philosophy/reason27%17%31%26%107
Common sense35%19%25%21%504
Science35%13%22%30%118
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion51%26%12%11%473
Philosophy/reason25%25%32%17%128
Common sense48%28%15%8%588
Science37%25%21%16%137
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion58%3%11%11%16%473
Philosophy/reason41%12%9%8%30%128
Common sense47%9%10%8%26%587
Science43%4%9%4%40%137
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion26%74%472
Philosophy/reason33%67%128
Common sense28%72%587
Science23%77%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who say they…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Religion92%6%< 1%1%< 1%< 1%474
Philosophy/reason41%32%8%< 1%14%6%128
Common sense48%30%8%1%11%2%590
Science29%23%9%< 1%34%5%139
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 adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion89%8%1%1%1%474
Philosophy/reason30%37%19%14%< 1%128
Common sense33%36%16%14%< 1%590
Science20%28%22%30%< 1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion66%24%9%< 1%474
Philosophy/reason22%39%38%< 1%128
Common sense17%41%41%1%590
Science13%35%51%1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion84%12%1%3%< 1%474
Philosophy/reason40%16%10%33%< 1%128
Common sense39%21%9%31%< 1%590
Science31%9%6%53%1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion44%10%14%31%< 1%474
Philosophy/reason7%11%7%75%< 1%128
Common sense11%5%6%78%< 1%590
Science9%2%3%85%< 1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion53%8%3%34%2%474
Philosophy/reason42%10%8%40%< 1%128
Common sense28%7%5%59%< 1%590
Science26%8%4%61%1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion77%12%7%4%1%474
Philosophy/reason46%28%8%15%3%128
Common sense45%17%13%25%< 1%590
Science36%16%13%33%3%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion53%19%9%18%1%474
Philosophy/reason60%14%14%12%< 1%128
Common sense35%20%16%30%1%590
Science43%18%13%26%< 1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

% of adults in Pennsylvania who say…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion52%47%1%< 1%474
Philosophy/reason26%73%< 1%1%128
Common sense29%70%1%< 1%590
Science23%73%2%1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion64%9%8%19%< 1%474
Philosophy/reason21%9%10%60%< 1%128
Common sense14%8%12%65%1%590
Science14%5%7%75%< 1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion48%36%3%9%3%474
Philosophy/reason9%30%< 1%56%5%128
Common sense23%26%1%43%7%590
Science15%11%< 1%66%9%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

% of adults in Pennsylvania who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion86%7%7%474
Philosophy/reason58%35%7%128
Common sense70%23%7%590
Science45%49%6%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

% of adults in Pennsylvania who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion76%18%6%474
Philosophy/reason35%55%10%128
Common sense52%40%8%590
Science41%56%3%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion52%15%33%474
Philosophy/reason28%9%63%128
Common sense35%16%49%590
Science24%15%61%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion54%22%16%9%474
Philosophy/reason25%35%37%3%128
Common sense28%42%22%7%590
Science25%33%38%4%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion62%31%2%4%474
Philosophy/reason46%44%5%4%128
Common sense57%38%2%3%590
Science45%52%< 1%2%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion54%39%4%3%474
Philosophy/reason30%66%3%1%128
Common sense50%46%3%1%590
Science38%59%3%1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion27%70%4%474
Philosophy/reason75%21%4%128
Common sense60%35%5%590
Science74%24%2%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion40%52%5%3%474
Philosophy/reason85%11%2%2%128
Common sense71%22%4%3%590
Science83%11%3%3%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion30%61%9%474
Philosophy/reason79%17%4%128
Common sense62%28%9%590
Science77%15%8%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion52%43%3%2%474
Philosophy/reason25%72%2%1%128
Common sense37%59%1%2%590
Science26%73%< 1%< 1%139
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults in Pennsylvania by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults in Pennsylvania 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
Religion10%25%3%59%3%474
Philosophy/reason44%35%3%15%3%128
Common sense43%22%4%28%4%590
Science66%15%1%18%< 1%139
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.