Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201460%4%30%5%2%9,811
200751%4%39%3%3%11,149
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by religious group

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Catholic44%8%36%10%2%1,545
Evangelical Protestant73%2%21%2%2%4,757
Historically Black Protestant55%5%36%3%2%1,094
Jehovah's Witness81%< 1%14%2%3%107
Mainline Protestant52%4%38%4%2%1,266
Mormon75%1%14%5%5%210
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")37%7%46%8%2%546
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion13%34%31%22%6,008
Philosophy/reason23%33%28%15%365
Common sense16%34%29%21%2,673
Science22%41%23%14%354
Don't know13%29%28%30%196
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion8%11%28%37%15%2%6,008
Philosophy/reason16%13%28%32%10%2%365
Common sense10%11%29%34%14%2%2,673
Science14%17%32%26%9%2%354
Don't know7%9%26%33%23%2%196
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion41%59%6,154
Philosophy/reason48%52%373
Common sense45%55%2,716
Science51%49%361
Don't know49%51%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion61%17%2%16%3%6,082
Philosophy/reason45%21%2%28%3%368
Common sense53%24%3%17%3%2,689
Science30%17%4%46%3%358
Don't know60%14%< 1%19%6%192
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion15%7%78%6,070
Philosophy/reason24%11%66%359
Common sense16%8%76%2,664
Science47%11%43%351
Don't know16%7%77%201
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion42%22%25%11%5,245
Philosophy/reason59%17%13%11%319
Common sense51%22%18%9%2,303
Science62%21%12%6%313
Don't know52%23%17%8%145
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion50%32%12%6%6,112
Philosophy/reason60%24%10%5%370
Common sense64%26%7%3%2,699
Science67%21%6%6%355
Don't know52%33%11%4%205
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion57%4%14%9%17%6,130
Philosophy/reason36%8%18%9%30%371
Common sense45%8%16%9%22%2,703
Science37%9%15%6%33%361
Don't know42%5%21%16%16%203
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion31%69%6,130
Philosophy/reason30%70%373
Common sense30%70%2,713
Science32%68%360
Don't know26%74%200
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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%7%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%6,154
Philosophy/reason80%15%3%2%< 1%< 1%373
Common sense84%12%2%1%< 1%< 1%2,716
Science67%26%4%2%1%< 1%361
Don't know86%10%< 1%4%< 1%1%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion93%6%1%< 1%< 1%6,154
Philosophy/reason73%19%4%4%< 1%373
Common sense72%23%3%2%< 1%2,716
Science70%23%4%2%< 1%361
Don't know84%10%1%2%4%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion72%20%8%< 1%6,154
Philosophy/reason42%37%20%1%373
Common sense42%38%20%1%2,716
Science38%39%21%1%361
Don't know57%27%15%2%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion87%9%1%2%< 1%6,154
Philosophy/reason67%21%4%7%< 1%373
Common sense70%17%5%8%1%2,716
Science63%20%6%12%< 1%361
Don't know79%12%2%4%4%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion56%13%8%22%1%6,154
Philosophy/reason34%13%11%40%1%373
Common sense31%13%11%44%1%2,716
Science32%17%11%40%< 1%361
Don't know43%12%7%35%3%207
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion58%6%3%31%3%6,154
Philosophy/reason49%7%2%40%1%373
Common sense44%8%4%43%2%2,716
Science50%10%3%34%2%361
Don't know56%2%4%30%8%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion83%8%4%4%1%6,154
Philosophy/reason65%12%7%14%1%373
Common sense65%15%8%11%1%2,716
Science61%13%11%14%1%361
Don't know67%7%8%9%8%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion50%14%9%24%2%6,154
Philosophy/reason46%13%10%28%2%373
Common sense39%15%12%32%2%2,716
Science44%10%18%27%< 1%361
Don't know44%8%14%27%8%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion54%43%1%1%6,154
Philosophy/reason28%70%1%1%373
Common sense31%66%1%2%2,716
Science30%67%1%2%361
Don't know35%52%4%9%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion74%10%4%11%1%6,154
Philosophy/reason48%15%8%28%1%373
Common sense45%13%10%31%1%2,716
Science39%14%11%35%1%361
Don't know60%11%5%20%4%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion90%5%5%6,154
Philosophy/reason90%5%6%373
Common sense94%4%3%2,716
Science89%7%4%361
Don't know87%5%9%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion85%9%6%6,154
Philosophy/reason76%17%7%373
Common sense79%15%7%2,716
Science77%18%5%361
Don't know73%15%13%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion51%17%32%6,154
Philosophy/reason31%22%48%373
Common sense34%19%47%2,716
Science29%19%53%361
Don't know34%33%33%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion60%22%11%7%6,154
Philosophy/reason41%29%25%5%373
Common sense41%31%19%9%2,716
Science42%25%27%5%361
Don't know43%26%17%15%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion56%39%2%3%6,154
Philosophy/reason36%60%1%3%373
Common sense42%53%2%3%2,716
Science24%74%< 1%2%361
Don't know44%36%6%14%207
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion52%42%4%2%6,154
Philosophy/reason44%50%4%2%373
Common sense47%48%3%2%2,716
Science43%52%2%3%361
Don't know43%31%11%14%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion24%73%4%6,154
Philosophy/reason42%53%5%373
Common sense44%51%5%2,716
Science46%49%5%361
Don't know29%55%17%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion28%64%4%4%6,154
Philosophy/reason53%41%3%3%373
Common sense49%43%4%4%2,716
Science58%35%4%2%361
Don't know31%45%11%12%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion19%75%7%6,154
Philosophy/reason44%50%6%373
Common sense37%53%10%2,716
Science46%47%7%361
Don't know18%61%21%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion50%44%2%4%6,154
Philosophy/reason43%53%2%3%373
Common sense47%46%2%4%2,716
Science44%51%1%3%361
Don't know42%35%6%17%207
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 say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally 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
Religion7%20%2%66%5%6,154
Philosophy/reason22%27%3%43%6%373
Common sense17%26%2%49%6%2,716
Science28%22%2%45%3%361
Don't know6%17%8%44%25%207
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.