Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201443%50%5%2%14,858
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: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who meditate at least once a week by religious group

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say government aid to the poor…

Religious traditionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Buddhist19%75%5%1%186
Catholic42%52%4%2%3,024
Evangelical Protestant54%40%5%2%4,408
Historically Black Protestant27%65%5%2%1,132
Jehovah's Witness30%62%5%3%195
Jewish31%63%3%2%227
Mainline Protestant45%48%5%2%2,411
Mormon69%27%2%1%410
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")33%60%5%3%2,029
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: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are ages…

Views about government aid to the poor18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Does more harm than good14%31%29%25%6,300
Does more good than harm17%33%29%21%7,224
Neither/both equally14%35%28%24%652
Don't know12%28%26%34%349
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…

Views about government aid to the poorYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Does more harm than good8%10%27%35%18%2%6,300
Does more good than harm10%13%27%34%14%2%7,224
Neither/both equally7%13%29%36%15%1%652
Don't know5%12%22%30%26%5%349
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…

Views about government aid to the poorMenWomenSample size
Does more harm than good47%53%6,445
Does more good than harm42%58%7,376
Neither/both equally47%53%677
Don't know44%56%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who identify as…

Views about government aid to the poorWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Does more harm than good69%10%3%15%3%6,330
Does more good than harm53%19%3%19%5%7,274
Neither/both equally55%16%3%21%5%651
Don't know52%16%4%21%6%340
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…

Views about government aid to the poorImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Does more harm than good15%8%77%6,375
Does more good than harm19%11%70%7,277
Neither/both equally21%8%72%662
Don't know22%7%71%349
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who have a household income of…

Views about government aid to the poorLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Does more harm than good32%22%29%18%5,518
Does more good than harm45%20%21%15%6,492
Neither/both equally41%23%24%13%557
Don't know54%19%18%9%262
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who have completed…

Views about government aid to the poorHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Does more harm than good41%33%17%9%6,412
Does more good than harm40%31%16%13%7,328
Neither/both equally38%34%16%12%674
Don't know55%26%12%8%353
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…

Views about government aid to the poorMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Does more harm than good56%5%12%9%17%6,405
Does more good than harm44%8%17%9%22%7,338
Neither/both equally46%6%19%9%19%670
Don't know40%6%15%16%22%354
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…

Views about government aid to the poorParentsNon-parentsSample size
Does more harm than good27%73%6,419
Does more good than harm28%72%7,349
Neither/both equally31%69%672
Don't know23%77%358
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say they…

Views about government aid to the poorBelieve 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
Does more harm than good82%12%2%1%2%1%6,445
Does more good than harm70%18%4%1%6%2%7,376
Neither/both equally79%13%2%1%3%3%677
Don't know74%13%3%5%3%2%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say religion is…

Views about government aid to the poorVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good75%16%4%5%1%6,445
Does more good than harm66%18%7%8%1%7,376
Neither/both equally73%14%5%6%2%677
Don't know71%12%6%5%6%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who attend religious services…

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good56%26%17%< 1%6,445
Does more good than harm46%29%24%1%7,376
Neither/both equally54%24%21%1%677
Don't know51%23%25%2%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who pray…

Views about government aid to the poorAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good79%11%2%7%1%6,445
Does more good than harm72%13%3%12%1%7,376
Neither/both equally81%10%1%6%1%677
Don't know72%11%4%8%4%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who attend prayer group…

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good42%11%8%38%1%6,445
Does more good than harm36%10%8%45%1%7,376
Neither/both equally44%11%7%37%1%677
Don't know43%5%7%40%5%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good80%10%4%5%1%6,445
Does more good than harm77%10%5%7%1%7,376
Neither/both equally84%10%2%4%1%677
Don't know73%15%5%5%1%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good58%15%8%17%2%6,445
Does more good than harm61%13%9%15%1%7,376
Neither/both equally61%11%8%16%4%677
Don't know54%17%11%14%4%360
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.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about government aid to the poorReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good51%8%34%5%2%6,445
Does more good than harm39%13%38%8%3%7,376
Neither/both equally45%10%31%4%10%677
Don't know38%6%37%5%14%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say…

Views about government aid to the poorThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good49%49%1%1%6,445
Does more good than harm28%69%2%1%7,376
Neither/both equally35%56%8%1%677
Don't know27%60%2%11%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who read scripture…

Views about government aid to the poorAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good60%10%6%23%1%6,445
Does more good than harm51%10%7%31%1%7,376
Neither/both equally61%8%4%25%1%677
Don't know57%6%4%31%2%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say the holy scripture is…

Views about government aid to the poorWord 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
Does more harm than good45%28%3%18%6%6,445
Does more good than harm36%25%3%30%6%7,376
Neither/both equally35%21%9%19%16%677
Don't know38%12%10%21%19%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who …in heaven

Views about government aid to the poorBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Does more harm than good81%12%7%6,445
Does more good than harm73%20%6%7,376
Neither/both equally74%12%14%677
Don't know73%10%17%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who …in hell

Views about government aid to the poorBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Does more harm than good70%23%8%6,445
Does more good than harm57%35%8%7,376
Neither/both equally61%26%13%677
Don't know49%29%22%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who identify as…

Views about government aid to the poorRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Does more harm than good58%17%25%6,445
Does more good than harm20%19%61%7,376
Neither/both equally28%32%40%677
Don't know27%36%37%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who are…

Views about government aid to the poorConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good57%26%13%5%6,445
Does more good than harm27%34%32%6%7,376
Neither/both equally35%35%17%13%677
Don't know33%25%20%22%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who would rather have…

Views about government aid to the poorSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good72%24%2%2%6,445
Does more good than harm34%58%4%4%7,376
Neither/both equally42%31%18%9%677
Don't know37%32%6%26%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say abortion should be…

Views about government aid to the poorLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good35%61%4%6,445
Does more good than harm56%39%5%7,376
Neither/both equally39%50%11%677
Don't know29%45%26%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say homosexuality…

Views about government aid to the poorShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good43%49%4%3%6,445
Does more good than harm63%31%4%3%7,376
Neither/both equally45%33%17%6%677
Don't know42%33%5%20%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who …same-sex marriage

Views about government aid to the poorStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good32%60%8%6,445
Does more good than harm55%38%7%7,376
Neither/both equally36%47%17%677
Don't know34%41%25%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say…

Views about government aid to the poorStricter 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
Does more harm than good54%40%2%3%6,445
Does more good than harm26%69%2%3%7,376
Neither/both equally26%53%14%7%677
Don't know25%42%5%28%360
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 who meditate at least once a week by views about government aid to the poor

% of adults who meditate at least once a week who say humans…

Views about government aid to the poorEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Does more harm than good17%25%3%50%5%6,445
Does more good than harm30%27%4%34%4%7,376
Neither/both equally17%24%9%38%12%677
Don't know12%20%11%33%24%360
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.