Survey year | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 38% | 59% | 2% | 1% | 20,955 |
Learn More: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by religious group
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say…
Religious tradition | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 23% | 75% | 2% | < 1% | 166 |
Catholic | 33% | 64% | 2% | 1% | 4,173 |
Evangelical Protestant | 54% | 43% | 2% | 1% | 6,541 |
Historically Black Protestant | 31% | 67% | 1% | 1% | 1,423 |
Jehovah's Witness | 60% | 36% | 2% | 2% | 203 |
Jewish | 24% | 71% | 3% | 1% | 320 |
Mainline Protestant | 35% | 62% | 2% | 1% | 3,532 |
Mormon | 62% | 35% | 2% | < 1% | 545 |
Muslim | 21% | 78% | < 1% | 2% | 152 |
Orthodox Christian | 34% | 65% | 1% | 1% | 103 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 22% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 3,048 |
Learn More: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are ages…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 14% | 34% | 31% | 21% | 8,209 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 23% | 33% | 26% | 18% | 11,719 |
Neither/both equally | 13% | 30% | 34% | 22% | 349 |
Don't know | 9% | 32% | 22% | 38% | 213 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 8% | 12% | 28% | 37% | 14% | 1% | 8,209 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 14% | 14% | 27% | 31% | 12% | 1% | 11,719 |
Neither/both equally | 8% | 11% | 24% | 40% | 16% | 1% | 349 |
Don't know | 8% | 6% | 26% | 26% | 27% | 6% | 213 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 48% | 52% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 41% | 59% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 56% | 44% | 364 |
Don't know | 41% | 59% | 220 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 71% | 11% | 2% | 12% | 4% | 8,255 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 59% | 16% | 3% | 17% | 5% | 11,810 |
Neither/both equally | 65% | 9% | 1% | 21% | 5% | 347 |
Don't know | 51% | 11% | 1% | 34% | 3% | 211 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 12% | 8% | 81% | 8,328 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 17% | 10% | 73% | 11,801 |
Neither/both equally | 19% | 6% | 74% | 355 |
Don't know | 33% | 7% | 59% | 215 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have a household income of…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 30% | 21% | 30% | 19% | 7,284 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 38% | 21% | 24% | 17% | 10,365 |
Neither/both equally | 37% | 16% | 27% | 20% | 283 |
Don't know | 56% | 24% | 12% | 8% | 144 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who have completed…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 37% | 35% | 18% | 10% | 8,359 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 42% | 31% | 16% | 10% | 11,894 |
Neither/both equally | 36% | 32% | 16% | 16% | 360 |
Don't know | 65% | 22% | 9% | 3% | 214 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 61% | 4% | 12% | 7% | 16% | 8,362 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 45% | 8% | 14% | 8% | 25% | 11,908 |
Neither/both equally | 47% | 6% | 15% | 8% | 24% | 357 |
Don't know | 39% | 6% | 14% | 21% | 20% | 216 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 30% | 70% | 8,365 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 29% | 71% | 11,923 |
Neither/both equally | 23% | 77% | 362 |
Don't know | 26% | 74% | 219 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say they…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 86% | 9% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 70% | 18% | 4% | 1% | 7% | 2% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 77% | 13% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 364 |
Don't know | 70% | 18% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 220 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say religion is…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 80% | 13% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 62% | 21% | 8% | 9% | 1% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 75% | 12% | 6% | 6% | 1% | 364 |
Don't know | 75% | 12% | 3% | 6% | 5% | 220 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who attend religious services…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 61% | 25% | 14% | < 1% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 40% | 33% | 26% | 1% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 50% | 27% | 22% | 1% | 364 |
Don't know | 50% | 23% | 25% | 3% | 220 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who pray…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 80% | 11% | 2% | 6% | 1% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 65% | 15% | 4% | 16% | 1% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 77% | 11% | 2% | 9% | 1% | 364 |
Don't know | 77% | 10% | 2% | 8% | 3% | 220 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who attend prayer group…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 46% | 11% | 9% | 33% | 1% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 28% | 11% | 8% | 52% | 1% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 36% | 10% | 7% | 45% | 2% | 364 |
Don't know | 45% | 7% | 2% | 44% | 3% | 220 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who meditate…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 56% | 7% | 3% | 33% | 2% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 52% | 9% | 3% | 35% | 1% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 61% | 5% | 2% | 28% | 3% | 364 |
Don't know | 70% | 4% | 2% | 19% | 4% | 220 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 56% | 15% | 8% | 19% | 2% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 56% | 14% | 9% | 20% | 1% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 66% | 12% | 5% | 15% | 3% | 364 |
Don't know | 52% | 8% | 11% | 19% | 10% | 220 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 62% | 6% | 26% | 4% | 2% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 33% | 11% | 44% | 8% | 3% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 43% | 7% | 30% | 6% | 14% | 364 |
Don't know | 43% | 7% | 25% | 10% | 16% | 220 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who read scripture…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 64% | 10% | 6% | 20% | 1% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 41% | 11% | 8% | 38% | 1% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 60% | 8% | 5% | 26% | 1% | 364 |
Don't know | 50% | 8% | 5% | 34% | 2% | 220 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say the holy scripture is…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 50% | 28% | 4% | 13% | 5% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 33% | 27% | 2% | 31% | 7% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 31% | 24% | 11% | 18% | 16% | 364 |
Don't know | 50% | 12% | 9% | 17% | 12% | 220 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in heaven
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 83% | 10% | 7% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 75% | 18% | 6% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 74% | 15% | 11% | 364 |
Don't know | 74% | 12% | 14% | 220 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …in hell
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 74% | 19% | 7% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 58% | 34% | 8% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 66% | 21% | 13% | 364 |
Don't know | 57% | 25% | 19% | 220 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who identify as…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 56% | 16% | 28% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 29% | 19% | 52% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 39% | 29% | 33% | 364 |
Don't know | 23% | 38% | 39% | 220 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 57% | 25% | 12% | 6% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 31% | 35% | 28% | 6% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 43% | 28% | 16% | 13% | 364 |
Don't know | 34% | 21% | 28% | 17% | 220 |
Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who would rather have…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 67% | 27% | 2% | 3% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 43% | 49% | 4% | 4% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 52% | 27% | 14% | 7% | 364 |
Don't know | 37% | 44% | 7% | 12% | 220 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say government aid to the poor…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 59% | 35% | 4% | 2% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 37% | 57% | 4% | 2% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 37% | 44% | 16% | 3% | 364 |
Don't know | 31% | 48% | 4% | 17% | 220 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say abortion should be…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 33% | 63% | 4% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 55% | 40% | 4% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 37% | 52% | 11% | 364 |
Don't know | 28% | 49% | 23% | 220 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say homosexuality…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 39% | 53% | 4% | 4% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 65% | 27% | 4% | 3% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 44% | 36% | 12% | 7% | 364 |
Don't know | 39% | 36% | 8% | 17% | 220 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who …same-sex marriage
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 29% | 63% | 7% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 57% | 36% | 7% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 37% | 45% | 18% | 364 |
Don't know | 31% | 46% | 23% | 220 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 50% | 45% | 3% | 3% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 33% | 62% | 2% | 3% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 34% | 48% | 11% | 7% | 364 |
Don't know | 28% | 34% | 5% | 34% | 220 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing at least once a week who say humans…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 14% | 25% | 2% | 55% | 4% | 8,404 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 31% | 28% | 4% | 32% | 4% | 11,967 |
Neither/both equally | 16% | 21% | 8% | 39% | 16% | 364 |
Don't know | 18% | 15% | 8% | 32% | 28% | 220 |