Christians among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…

Survey yearChristianAll Non-ChristiansSample size
201492%8%11,754
200795%5%10,833
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: Christian, All Non-Christians

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…

Christians18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Christian15%33%30%22%10,730
All Non-Christians28%37%24%11%753
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…

ChristiansYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Christian9%11%28%36%15%1%10,730
All Non-Christians16%22%28%27%7%1%753
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…

ChristiansMenWomenSample size
Christian41%59%10,976
All Non-Christians48%52%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…

ChristiansWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Christian65%14%2%15%4%10,851
All Non-Christians51%20%9%14%6%747
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…

ChristiansImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Christian14%7%79%10,856
All Non-Christians26%12%63%747
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…

ChristiansLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Christian36%21%28%15%9,427
All Non-Christians46%18%21%16%657
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…

ChristiansHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Christian43%33%15%9%10,914
All Non-Christians53%25%13%9%771
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…

ChristiansMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Christian57%4%13%8%18%10,929
All Non-Christians43%9%14%4%31%768
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…

ChristiansParentsNon-parentsSample size
Christian30%70%10,927
All Non-Christians36%64%770
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…

ChristiansBelieve 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
Christian90%8%1%< 1%< 1%< 1%10,976
All Non-Christians76%14%5%1%3%1%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…

ChristiansVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Christian90%9%1%< 1%< 1%10,976
All Non-Christians67%20%7%5%2%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…

ChristiansAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Christian68%23%8%< 1%10,976
All Non-Christians35%33%31%1%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…

ChristiansAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Christian85%10%2%2%1%10,976
All Non-Christians66%16%5%13%1%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…

ChristiansAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Christian49%13%9%28%1%10,976
All Non-Christians33%12%9%45%< 1%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…

ChristiansAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Christian55%7%3%33%2%10,976
All Non-Christians42%8%3%42%4%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

ChristiansAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Christian80%10%5%4%1%10,976
All Non-Christians62%12%7%16%3%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

ChristiansAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Christian49%16%11%22%2%10,976
All Non-Christians47%12%10%28%4%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…

ChristiansThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Christian52%46%1%1%10,976
All Non-Christians32%65%2%2%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…

ChristiansAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Christian67%11%6%15%1%10,976
All Non-Christians48%10%6%35%2%778
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 say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…

ChristiansWord 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
Christian56%31%4%5%4%10,976
All Non-Christians44%27%4%17%7%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven

ChristiansBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Christian89%5%6%10,976
All Non-Christians81%13%6%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell

ChristiansBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Christian80%13%7%10,976
All Non-Christians65%28%6%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…

ChristiansRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Christian51%17%33%10,976
All Non-Christians31%28%40%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…

ChristiansConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Christian56%26%12%6%10,976
All Non-Christians30%31%26%13%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…

ChristiansSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Christian59%35%3%3%10,976
All Non-Christians36%57%3%4%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…

ChristiansDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Christian52%42%4%2%10,976
All Non-Christians38%53%5%3%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…

ChristiansLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Christian28%68%4%10,976
All Non-Christians42%52%6%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…

ChristiansShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Christian36%55%5%4%10,976
All Non-Christians47%43%4%6%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage

ChristiansStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Christian26%66%7%10,976
All Non-Christians41%51%8%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…

ChristiansStricter 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
Christian47%47%3%4%10,976
All Non-Christians39%53%3%5%778
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 religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religion

% of adults who say religion is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…

ChristiansEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Christian9%26%2%58%5%10,976
All Non-Christians19%29%3%43%6%778
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.