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 | 29% | 68% | 1% | 1% | 8,845 |
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 with a household income of less than $30,000 by religious group
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 25% | 71% | 1% | 2% | 1,812 |
Evangelical Protestant | 40% | 57% | 1% | 2% | 2,370 |
Historically Black Protestant | 25% | 73% | 1% | 1% | 791 |
Jehovah's Witness | 51% | 47% | < 1% | 1% | 102 |
Mainline Protestant | 29% | 69% | 1% | 1% | 1,208 |
Mormon | 45% | 53% | 2% | < 1% | 131 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 20% | 77% | 2% | 1% | 1,852 |
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 with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 21% | 31% | 26% | 22% | 2,656 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 29% | 30% | 23% | 17% | 5,868 |
Neither/both equally | 18% | 38% | 27% | 18% | 123 |
Don't know | 16% | 26% | 25% | 33% | 121 |
Generational cohort among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 11% | 17% | 24% | 31% | 16% | 2% | 2,656 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 17% | 18% | 24% | 28% | 12% | 1% | 5,868 |
Neither/both equally | 7% | 21% | 27% | 30% | 14% | 1% | 123 |
Don't know | 9% | 9% | 24% | 27% | 27% | 4% | 121 |
Gender composition among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 44% | 56% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 42% | 58% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 53% | 47% | 126 |
Don't know | 39% | 61% | 123 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 59% | 15% | 2% | 20% | 5% | 2,655 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 51% | 18% | 3% | 23% | 5% | 5,867 |
Neither/both equally | 52% | 8% | < 1% | 34% | 6% | 123 |
Don't know | 37% | 11% | 1% | 48% | 3% | 119 |
Immigrant status among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 17% | 9% | 74% | 2,649 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 20% | 11% | 70% | 5,794 |
Neither/both equally | 29% | 7% | 63% | 125 |
Don't know | 36% | 8% | 56% | 117 |
Educational distribution among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 58% | 32% | 7% | 3% | 2,670 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 61% | 29% | 7% | 3% | 5,899 |
Neither/both equally | 51% | 40% | 6% | 3% | 125 |
Don't know | 83% | 14% | 3% | 1% | 123 |
Marital status among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 34% | 7% | 20% | 11% | 27% | 2,671 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 25% | 11% | 20% | 10% | 34% | 5,900 |
Neither/both equally | 22% | 13% | 24% | 11% | 31% | 124 |
Don't know | 26% | 9% | 18% | 22% | 26% | 121 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 28% | 72% | 2,675 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 28% | 72% | 5,906 |
Neither/both equally | 29% | 71% | 126 |
Don't know | 31% | 69% | 122 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 75% | 16% | 3% | 1% | 4% | 1% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 62% | 21% | 6% | 1% | 8% | 2% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 69% | 21% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 126 |
Don't know | 55% | 29% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 2% | 123 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 68% | 20% | 6% | 5% | 1% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 54% | 26% | 10% | 10% | 1% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 65% | 15% | 13% | 6% | 1% | 126 |
Don't know | 74% | 15% | 4% | 5% | 2% | 123 |
Attendance at religious services among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 45% | 30% | 24% | 1% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 31% | 34% | 34% | 1% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 36% | 25% | 36% | 3% | 126 |
Don't know | 42% | 28% | 27% | 3% | 123 |
Frequency of prayer among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 71% | 14% | 4% | 11% | 1% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 55% | 16% | 6% | 22% | 1% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 67% | 15% | 5% | 10% | 3% | 126 |
Don't know | 65% | 15% | 3% | 13% | 4% | 123 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 36% | 11% | 8% | 44% | 1% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 23% | 10% | 8% | 58% | 1% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 19% | 12% | 8% | 60% | 1% | 126 |
Don't know | 34% | 10% | 5% | 47% | 5% | 123 |
Frequency of meditation among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 52% | 7% | 3% | 37% | 2% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 42% | 10% | 4% | 42% | 2% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 56% | 8% | 3% | 30% | 3% | 126 |
Don't know | 59% | 5% | 5% | 26% | 6% | 123 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
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 | 69% | 11% | 6% | 13% | 1% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 56% | 15% | 10% | 18% | 1% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 63% | 9% | 1% | 26% | 1% | 126 |
Don't know | 61% | 11% | 7% | 18% | 4% | 123 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 50% | 14% | 10% | 24% | 2% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 47% | 14% | 11% | 26% | 1% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 64% | 8% | 8% | 20% | < 1% | 126 |
Don't know | 44% | 7% | 11% | 23% | 15% | 123 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 49% | 7% | 36% | 7% | 2% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 29% | 11% | 49% | 9% | 2% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 34% | 14% | 38% | 5% | 9% | 126 |
Don't know | 35% | 4% | 35% | 8% | 19% | 123 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 52% | 11% | 6% | 30% | 1% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 35% | 11% | 8% | 44% | 1% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 46% | 8% | 9% | 37% | < 1% | 126 |
Don't know | 47% | 12% | 2% | 38% | 2% | 123 |
Interpreting scripture among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 49% | 24% | 3% | 17% | 6% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 37% | 23% | 2% | 31% | 7% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 29% | 16% | 8% | 24% | 22% | 126 |
Don't know | 51% | 9% | 10% | 18% | 12% | 123 |
Belief in Heaven among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 82% | 12% | 6% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 76% | 18% | 7% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 75% | 9% | 16% | 126 |
Don't know | 72% | 13% | 15% | 123 |
Belief in Hell among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 72% | 22% | 7% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 60% | 32% | 8% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 64% | 17% | 19% | 126 |
Don't know | 60% | 23% | 17% | 123 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 38% | 22% | 41% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 23% | 23% | 54% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 21% | 40% | 38% | 126 |
Don't know | 18% | 40% | 42% | 123 |
Political ideology among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 44% | 28% | 19% | 9% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 28% | 34% | 30% | 8% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 29% | 33% | 16% | 22% | 126 |
Don't know | 27% | 14% | 37% | 22% | 123 |
Views about size of government among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 48% | 46% | 3% | 3% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 33% | 60% | 3% | 4% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 35% | 34% | 19% | 12% | 126 |
Don't know | 20% | 63% | 7% | 10% | 123 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 44% | 50% | 4% | 2% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 31% | 63% | 4% | 2% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 25% | 54% | 20% | 1% | 126 |
Don't know | 28% | 48% | 6% | 17% | 123 |
Views about abortion among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 40% | 56% | 4% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 52% | 43% | 5% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 37% | 48% | 14% | 126 |
Don't know | 26% | 54% | 20% | 123 |
Views about homosexuality among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 48% | 45% | 4% | 3% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 66% | 28% | 4% | 3% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 47% | 30% | 17% | 7% | 126 |
Don't know | 38% | 41% | 1% | 20% | 123 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 39% | 53% | 9% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 55% | 37% | 8% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 42% | 36% | 22% | 126 |
Don't know | 34% | 42% | 24% | 123 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 45% | 50% | 2% | 4% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 37% | 58% | 2% | 4% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 28% | 41% | 19% | 12% | 126 |
Don't know | 27% | 36% | 4% | 34% | 123 |
Views about human evolution among adults with a household income of less than $30,000 by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults with a household income of less than $30,000 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 | 20% | 24% | 2% | 49% | 4% | 2,681 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 32% | 25% | 4% | 33% | 5% | 5,915 |
Neither/both equally | 19% | 20% | 12% | 34% | 15% | 126 |
Don't know | 17% | 9% | 13% | 26% | 35% | 123 |