Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who would rather have…
Survey year | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 53% | 42% | 2% | 3% | 5,483 |
2007 | 44% | 47% | 4% | 5% | 4,901 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by religious group
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who would rather have…
Religious tradition | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 50% | 46% | 2% | 3% | 1,110 |
Evangelical Protestant | 65% | 30% | 2% | 3% | 1,330 |
Historically Black Protestant | 27% | 70% | 2% | 1% | 291 |
Jewish | 40% | 54% | 3% | 3% | 144 |
Mainline Protestant | 61% | 33% | 2% | 4% | 982 |
Mormon | 81% | 17% | < 1% | 2% | 148 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 45% | 49% | 3% | 4% | 1,186 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who are ages…
Views about size of government | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 23% | 36% | 26% | 15% | 3,031 |
Bigger government; more services | 33% | 34% | 22% | 11% | 2,069 |
Depends | 14% | 35% | 31% | 20% | 136 |
Don't know | 23% | 28% | 29% | 20% | 173 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who are…
Views about size of government | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 15% | 14% | 30% | 30% | 9% | 1% | 3,031 |
Bigger government; more services | 22% | 19% | 27% | 25% | 7% | 1% | 2,069 |
Depends | 5% | 15% | 29% | 35% | 13% | 3% | 136 |
Don't know | 9% | 20% | 21% | 32% | 14% | 3% | 173 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who are…
Views about size of government | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 56% | 44% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 39% | 61% | 2,098 |
Depends | 45% | 55% | 139 |
Don't know | 44% | 56% | 175 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who identify as…
Views about size of government | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 81% | 5% | 3% | 8% | 3% | 3,037 |
Bigger government; more services | 53% | 18% | 5% | 20% | 4% | 2,076 |
Depends | 75% | 13% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 137 |
Don't know | 73% | 5% | 4% | 10% | 6% | 167 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who are…
Views about size of government | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 9% | 8% | 83% | 3,046 |
Bigger government; more services | 21% | 11% | 68% | 2,069 |
Depends | 9% | 11% | 79% | 135 |
Don't know | 13% | 7% | 81% | 172 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who have a household income of…
Views about size of government | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 21% | 20% | 33% | 26% | 2,766 |
Bigger government; more services | 39% | 20% | 24% | 17% | 1,903 |
Depends | 26% | 24% | 29% | 22% | 120 |
Don't know | 38% | 23% | 22% | 17% | 139 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who have completed…
Views about size of government | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 31% | 36% | 20% | 13% | 3,061 |
Bigger government; more services | 41% | 30% | 17% | 12% | 2,090 |
Depends | 30% | 33% | 26% | 12% | 139 |
Don't know | 37% | 38% | 15% | 10% | 175 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who are…
Views about size of government | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 55% | 5% | 11% | 5% | 24% | 3,066 |
Bigger government; more services | 40% | 10% | 13% | 4% | 33% | 2,093 |
Depends | 55% | 5% | 16% | 6% | 17% | 138 |
Don't know | 47% | 11% | 10% | 9% | 23% | 174 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who are…
Views about size of government | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 31% | 69% | 3,064 |
Bigger government; more services | 32% | 68% | 2,092 |
Depends | 28% | 72% | 138 |
Don't know | 31% | 69% | 175 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say they…
Views about size of government | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 65% | 20% | 5% | < 1% | 8% | 2% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 55% | 24% | 6% | < 1% | 13% | 2% | 2,098 |
Depends | 54% | 19% | 10% | 3% | 10% | 4% | 139 |
Don't know | 60% | 15% | 7% | < 1% | 10% | 7% | 175 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say religion is…
Views about size of government | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 53% | 27% | 11% | 9% | 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 49% | 26% | 13% | 12% | < 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 43% | 30% | 15% | 12% | 1% | 139 |
Don't know | 43% | 21% | 19% | 14% | 3% | 175 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who attend religious services…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 40% | 32% | 28% | < 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 33% | 37% | 29% | < 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 30% | 39% | 31% | < 1% | 139 |
Don't know | 28% | 29% | 42% | 1% | 175 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who pray…
Views about size of government | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 54% | 18% | 7% | 21% | < 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 50% | 18% | 6% | 25% | 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 49% | 14% | 7% | 26% | 3% | 139 |
Don't know | 51% | 11% | 10% | 27% | 2% | 175 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who attend prayer group…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 25% | 11% | 9% | 55% | 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 21% | 14% | 8% | 56% | 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 14% | 8% | 12% | 64% | 3% | 139 |
Don't know | 15% | 9% | 9% | 65% | 2% | 175 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who meditate…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 36% | 10% | 5% | 48% | 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 35% | 14% | 5% | 45% | 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 35% | 4% | 6% | 54% | 1% | 139 |
Don't know | 39% | 7% | 5% | 46% | 3% | 175 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 55% | 23% | 10% | 12% | 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 52% | 24% | 11% | 12% | 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 51% | 23% | 8% | 17% | < 1% | 139 |
Don't know | 51% | 19% | 9% | 18% | 4% | 175 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Views about size of government | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 35% | 10% | 46% | 7% | 2% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 29% | 13% | 46% | 12% | 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 25% | 10% | 52% | 7% | 6% | 139 |
Don't know | 26% | 9% | 50% | 7% | 8% | 175 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say…
Views about size of government | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 41% | 57% | 1% | 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 24% | 75% | 1% | 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 25% | 67% | 7% | 1% | 139 |
Don't know | 21% | 73% | 3% | 2% | 175 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who read scripture…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 37% | 12% | 8% | 43% | < 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 29% | 15% | 9% | 47% | < 1% | 2,098 |
Depends | 21% | 11% | 11% | 54% | 2% | 139 |
Don't know | 33% | 7% | 8% | 52% | 1% | 175 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say the holy scripture is…
Views about size of government | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 26% | 33% | 3% | 32% | 6% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 29% | 27% | 2% | 38% | 5% | 2,098 |
Depends | 18% | 20% | 2% | 45% | 15% | 139 |
Don't know | 22% | 16% | 1% | 40% | 20% | 175 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who …in heaven
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 75% | 18% | 7% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 71% | 24% | 5% | 2,098 |
Depends | 57% | 31% | 13% | 139 |
Don't know | 58% | 22% | 20% | 175 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who …in hell
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 62% | 30% | 8% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 56% | 37% | 6% | 2,098 |
Depends | 36% | 41% | 23% | 139 |
Don't know | 46% | 35% | 18% | 175 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who identify as…
Views about size of government | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 59% | 13% | 27% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 17% | 15% | 68% | 2,098 |
Depends | 16% | 18% | 66% | 139 |
Don't know | 18% | 29% | 53% | 175 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who are…
Views about size of government | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 48% | 38% | 11% | 3% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 21% | 34% | 41% | 5% | 2,098 |
Depends | 20% | 43% | 34% | 4% | 139 |
Don't know | 21% | 38% | 25% | 16% | 175 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say government aid to the poor…
Views about size of government | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 62% | 33% | 3% | 1% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 25% | 71% | 3% | 2% | 2,098 |
Depends | 19% | 61% | 18% | 2% | 139 |
Don't know | 25% | 51% | 9% | 15% | 175 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say abortion should be…
Views about size of government | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 49% | 49% | 2% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 64% | 34% | 2% | 2,098 |
Depends | 68% | 19% | 13% | 139 |
Don't know | 61% | 24% | 15% | 175 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say homosexuality…
Views about size of government | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 57% | 37% | 3% | 2% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 76% | 20% | 2% | 2% | 2,098 |
Depends | 72% | 17% | 9% | 3% | 139 |
Don't know | 57% | 21% | 8% | 14% | 175 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who …same-sex marriage
Views about size of government | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 49% | 46% | 5% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 68% | 28% | 4% | 2,098 |
Depends | 58% | 23% | 19% | 139 |
Don't know | 57% | 28% | 15% | 175 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say…
Views about size of government | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 48% | 48% | 2% | 2% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 22% | 74% | 1% | 3% | 2,098 |
Depends | 14% | 71% | 10% | 6% | 139 |
Don't know | 18% | 63% | 7% | 12% | 175 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe once or twice a month who say humans…
Views about size of government | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 31% | 27% | 3% | 36% | 3% | 3,071 |
Bigger government; more services | 41% | 25% | 3% | 28% | 2% | 2,098 |
Depends | 34% | 22% | 12% | 22% | 11% | 139 |
Don't know | 36% | 15% | 14% | 22% | 13% | 175 |