Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201437%9%45%7%2%19,186
200731%9%53%5%3%16,980
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by religious group

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Buddhist2%30%46%15%6%102
Catholic31%10%50%7%2%3,868
Evangelical Protestant64%4%28%2%2%5,851
Historically Black Protestant48%7%40%4%1%454
Jewish17%16%57%8%2%336
Mainline Protestant31%9%52%5%2%3,687
Mormon70%3%23%2%3%524
Orthodox Christian28%15%46%7%4%120
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")6%16%62%15%2%3,541
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

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

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion12%32%32%24%7,164
Philosophy/reason31%34%22%12%1,776
Common sense20%35%26%19%8,134
Science27%37%22%14%1,304
Don't know18%32%26%23%414
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion7%10%27%38%16%1%7,164
Philosophy/reason22%16%27%26%8%1%1,776
Common sense12%14%28%32%12%1%8,134
Science19%14%31%26%9%1%1,304
Don't know12%12%27%32%15%2%414
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMenWomenSample size
Religion46%54%7,323
Philosophy/reason62%38%1,807
Common sense59%41%8,285
Science65%35%1,327
Don't know62%38%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion82%6%1%7%3%7,223
Philosophy/reason74%5%5%12%4%1,778
Common sense81%5%3%8%3%8,159
Science73%4%6%13%3%1,308
Don't know82%4%1%7%6%407
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion6%7%86%7,261
Philosophy/reason11%13%76%1,789
Common sense8%10%82%8,215
Science18%13%70%1,306
Don't know7%10%83%432
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion25%22%33%20%6,332
Philosophy/reason25%18%29%28%1,617
Common sense25%22%31%23%7,289
Science24%19%28%28%1,191
Don't know25%26%29%20%328
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion36%35%19%10%7,295
Philosophy/reason29%34%21%16%1,800
Common sense39%35%16%9%8,239
Science29%29%25%17%1,317
Don't know27%37%23%13%439
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion65%2%11%8%14%7,295
Philosophy/reason43%8%12%4%33%1,801
Common sense52%8%12%6%22%8,250
Science47%9%10%4%31%1,318
Don't know56%4%7%10%23%436
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion30%70%7,290
Philosophy/reason24%76%1,802
Common sense27%73%8,259
Science27%73%1,323
Don't know25%75%438
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who say they…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Religion93%5%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%7,323
Philosophy/reason45%26%10%1%14%4%1,807
Common sense54%26%6%1%10%3%8,285
Science33%26%9%< 1%27%4%1,327
Don't know76%12%2%3%4%4%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion89%9%1%< 1%1%7,323
Philosophy/reason30%34%19%17%< 1%1,807
Common sense35%35%16%13%1%8,285
Science22%29%19%30%1%1,327
Don't know64%20%6%5%4%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion69%22%9%< 1%7,323
Philosophy/reason20%38%42%1%1,807
Common sense21%39%40%< 1%8,285
Science14%33%52%1%1,327
Don't know43%33%21%3%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion86%10%1%2%1%7,323
Philosophy/reason37%19%8%35%< 1%1,807
Common sense41%19%8%30%1%8,285
Science26%16%8%50%1%1,327
Don't know63%14%4%14%4%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion50%12%9%28%< 1%7,323
Philosophy/reason11%8%8%73%< 1%1,807
Common sense12%7%8%74%< 1%8,285
Science9%5%7%78%< 1%1,327
Don't know25%11%7%51%5%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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%6%3%35%2%7,323
Philosophy/reason38%12%6%43%1%1,807
Common sense30%8%4%56%1%8,285
Science29%9%5%55%2%1,327
Don't know45%7%3%38%6%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion82%10%4%4%1%7,323
Philosophy/reason49%19%11%20%1%1,807
Common sense47%17%12%22%1%8,285
Science40%18%13%27%2%1,327
Don't know69%11%5%10%5%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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%16%10%22%2%7,323
Philosophy/reason54%17%13%16%1%1,807
Common sense39%17%15%28%1%8,285
Science47%18%15%20%1%1,327
Don't know53%14%8%20%4%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion62%36%1%1%7,323
Philosophy/reason28%69%2%1%1,807
Common sense31%67%1%1%8,285
Science24%74%1%1%1,327
Don't know42%45%8%5%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion69%10%6%15%1%7,323
Philosophy/reason20%11%11%57%1%1,807
Common sense19%10%10%61%1%8,285
Science13%8%9%69%1%1,327
Don't know43%11%11%32%3%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion54%33%4%5%4%7,323
Philosophy/reason10%27%1%54%8%1,807
Common sense16%30%2%44%8%8,285
Science10%19%1%65%6%1,327
Don't know23%30%11%19%16%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion88%5%7%7,323
Philosophy/reason57%34%9%1,807
Common sense69%24%7%8,285
Science49%45%6%1,327
Don't know70%13%17%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion81%12%7%7,323
Philosophy/reason41%51%8%1,807
Common sense52%40%8%8,285
Science34%60%6%1,327
Don't know58%21%21%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion69%13%18%7,323
Philosophy/reason45%19%36%1,807
Common sense51%18%31%8,285
Science40%18%41%1,327
Don't know53%30%17%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion68%22%6%4%7,323
Philosophy/reason31%44%21%4%1,807
Common sense39%40%16%5%8,285
Science30%43%24%4%1,327
Don't know54%25%10%11%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion68%26%4%2%7,323
Philosophy/reason53%43%3%1%1,807
Common sense62%33%3%1%8,285
Science51%44%3%2%1,327
Don't know55%28%10%7%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion23%74%3%7,323
Philosophy/reason64%33%3%1,807
Common sense62%34%4%8,285
Science70%27%3%1,327
Don't know34%52%14%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion29%62%5%3%7,323
Philosophy/reason78%16%4%2%1,807
Common sense68%25%4%3%8,285
Science77%18%3%2%1,327
Don't know42%37%10%12%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion20%74%6%7,323
Philosophy/reason70%24%6%1,807
Common sense58%34%8%8,285
Science70%23%7%1,327
Don't know32%49%19%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion58%37%3%3%7,323
Philosophy/reason37%58%3%2%1,807
Common sense46%50%2%2%8,285
Science37%60%2%2%1,327
Don't know46%39%8%7%444
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 would rather have a smaller government with fewer services by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of adults who would rather have a smaller government with fewer services 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
Religion6%24%2%63%4%7,323
Philosophy/reason47%28%5%17%3%1,807
Common sense38%29%4%25%3%8,285
Science61%16%3%17%2%1,327
Don't know14%26%15%29%16%444
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.