Survey year | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 38% | 33% | 15% | 13% | 1% | 15,190 |
2007 | 43% | 35% | 12% | 9% | 1% | 18,234 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Religious tradition | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 20% | 51% | 13% | 15% | 1% | 111 |
Catholic | 46% | 40% | 10% | 3% | < 1% | 3,428 |
Evangelical Protestant | 60% | 34% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 2,407 |
Historically Black Protestant | 77% | 20% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 751 |
Jewish | 26% | 41% | 23% | 10% | < 1% | 414 |
Mainline Protestant | 40% | 44% | 13% | 3% | 1% | 2,990 |
Mormon | 62% | 27% | 10% | 1% | < 1% | 162 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 10% | 24% | 28% | 37% | 1% | 4,142 |
Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Importance of religion in one's life | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 17% | 32% | 29% | 22% | 5,579 |
Somewhat important | 24% | 35% | 26% | 15% | 4,946 |
Not too important | 30% | 37% | 22% | 12% | 2,252 |
Not at all important | 29% | 38% | 20% | 13% | 2,034 |
Don't know | 11% | 33% | 30% | 25% | 103 |
Generational cohort among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 10% | 12% | 27% | 34% | 15% | 2% | 5,579 |
Somewhat important | 15% | 16% | 28% | 31% | 9% | 1% | 4,946 |
Not too important | 19% | 19% | 29% | 26% | 7% | 1% | 2,252 |
Not at all important | 19% | 20% | 29% | 24% | 8% | 1% | 2,034 |
Don't know | 5% | 13% | 27% | 37% | 17% | 1% | 103 |
Gender composition among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 44% | 56% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 50% | 50% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 56% | 44% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 62% | 38% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 54% | 46% | 111 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 58% | 18% | 3% | 16% | 4% | 5,620 |
Somewhat important | 72% | 8% | 4% | 12% | 4% | 4,971 |
Not too important | 77% | 5% | 6% | 9% | 3% | 2,259 |
Not at all important | 79% | 5% | 4% | 9% | 4% | 2,032 |
Don't know | 76% | 6% | 2% | 8% | 8% | 101 |
Immigrant status among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 16% | 9% | 76% | 5,625 |
Somewhat important | 11% | 11% | 78% | 4,967 |
Not too important | 11% | 12% | 77% | 2,255 |
Not at all important | 9% | 12% | 79% | 2,037 |
Don't know | 8% | 16% | 76% | 104 |
Income distribution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Importance of religion in one's life | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 42% | 21% | 23% | 14% | 4,852 |
Somewhat important | 32% | 21% | 28% | 20% | 4,461 |
Not too important | 27% | 21% | 29% | 23% | 2,046 |
Not at all important | 29% | 19% | 28% | 24% | 1,863 |
Educational distribution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Importance of religion in one's life | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 50% | 31% | 12% | 7% | 5,667 |
Somewhat important | 42% | 32% | 16% | 9% | 5,007 |
Not too important | 34% | 35% | 18% | 12% | 2,276 |
Not at all important | 39% | 31% | 20% | 11% | 2,056 |
Don't know | 31% | 45% | 13% | 11% | 105 |
Marital status among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 48% | 7% | 15% | 9% | 21% | 5,680 |
Somewhat important | 46% | 10% | 12% | 5% | 25% | 5,011 |
Not too important | 44% | 9% | 11% | 3% | 32% | 2,277 |
Not at all important | 38% | 12% | 11% | 4% | 35% | 2,055 |
Don't know | 38% | 10% | 15% | 11% | 25% | 106 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Very important | 30% | 70% | 5,688 |
Somewhat important | 30% | 70% | 5,019 |
Not too important | 27% | 73% | 2,275 |
Not at all important | 23% | 77% | 2,054 |
Don't know | 12% | 88% | 110 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 84% | 12% | 1% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 51% | 38% | 6% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 19% | 38% | 18% | 1% | 17% | 6% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 15% | 13% | 12% | 1% | 52% | 7% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 50% | 21% | 5% | 6% | 8% | 9% | 111 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 38% | 17% | 1% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 12% | 55% | 33% | < 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 2% | 33% | 65% | < 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 1% | 9% | 90% | < 1% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 7% | 26% | 56% | 12% | 111 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 75% | 17% | 4% | 4% | 1% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 36% | 28% | 13% | 22% | 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 12% | 13% | 11% | 64% | < 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 8% | 4% | 4% | 83% | < 1% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 46% | 17% | 3% | 21% | 14% | 111 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 28% | 13% | 11% | 48% | 1% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 6% | 7% | 9% | 78% | < 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 1% | 1% | 3% | 95% | < 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 96% | < 1% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 7% | 7% | 6% | 71% | 10% | 111 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 47% | 8% | 4% | 39% | 2% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 25% | 9% | 6% | 60% | 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 19% | 10% | 5% | 65% | 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 22% | 7% | 5% | 65% | 1% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 48% | 7% | 2% | 31% | 11% | 111 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 69% | 14% | 8% | 8% | 2% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 39% | 23% | 16% | 21% | 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 31% | 17% | 16% | 35% | 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 34% | 12% | 8% | 44% | 2% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 59% | 11% | 6% | 17% | 8% | 111 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 16% | 12% | 26% | 2% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 36% | 17% | 16% | 30% | 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 36% | 18% | 17% | 29% | < 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 42% | 14% | 13% | 30% | < 1% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 44% | 20% | 4% | 21% | 10% | 111 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 30% | 67% | 1% | 1% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 25% | 73% | 1% | 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 20% | 78% | 1% | < 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 18% | 81% | 1% | 1% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 15% | 77% | 3% | 5% | 111 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Importance of religion in one's life | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 42% | 15% | 11% | 32% | 1% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 11% | 11% | 13% | 65% | 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 3% | 4% | 5% | 87% | < 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 3% | 2% | 3% | 91% | < 1% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 15% | 6% | 10% | 58% | 11% | 111 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 39% | 33% | 4% | 16% | 9% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 14% | 35% | 1% | 41% | 9% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 5% | 14% | < 1% | 73% | 8% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 3% | 4% | < 1% | 88% | 5% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 10% | 12% | 2% | 52% | 24% | 111 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 88% | 7% | 5% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 77% | 15% | 8% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 45% | 43% | 11% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 19% | 73% | 8% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 39% | 24% | 37% | 111 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Importance of religion in one's life | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 70% | 22% | 8% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 56% | 35% | 9% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 33% | 58% | 9% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 13% | 80% | 7% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 21% | 44% | 36% | 111 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Importance of religion in one's life | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 35% | 18% | 46% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 37% | 19% | 44% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 33% | 18% | 50% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 24% | 22% | 54% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 25% | 30% | 45% | 111 |
Political ideology among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Importance of religion in one's life | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 38% | 34% | 21% | 7% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 29% | 42% | 24% | 6% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 22% | 41% | 32% | 5% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 16% | 33% | 41% | 9% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 32% | 26% | 28% | 14% | 111 |
Views about size of government among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Importance of religion in one's life | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 48% | 46% | 3% | 4% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 55% | 39% | 3% | 3% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 56% | 38% | 2% | 3% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 51% | 42% | 3% | 4% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 51% | 26% | 5% | 19% | 111 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Importance of religion in one's life | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 45% | 49% | 4% | 2% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 48% | 47% | 3% | 1% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 44% | 52% | 3% | 1% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 38% | 56% | 4% | 2% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 34% | 41% | 10% | 15% | 111 |
Views about abortion among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Importance of religion in one's life | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 49% | 45% | 5% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 67% | 29% | 4% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 78% | 19% | 3% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 82% | 16% | 3% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 59% | 20% | 21% | 111 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Importance of religion in one's life | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 59% | 32% | 5% | 4% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 76% | 18% | 3% | 3% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 83% | 13% | 2% | 2% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 86% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 59% | 17% | 7% | 17% | 111 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Importance of religion in one's life | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 47% | 43% | 10% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 67% | 25% | 8% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 78% | 17% | 5% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 83% | 11% | 6% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 51% | 20% | 29% | 111 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 41% | 52% | 2% | 4% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 38% | 58% | 2% | 2% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 32% | 65% | 1% | 2% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 28% | 68% | 2% | 2% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 37% | 44% | 6% | 13% | 111 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by importance of religion
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…
Importance of religion in one's life | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 19% | 32% | 4% | 40% | 6% | 5,706 |
Somewhat important | 38% | 30% | 5% | 23% | 3% | 5,028 |
Not too important | 65% | 16% | 5% | 12% | 2% | 2,284 |
Not at all important | 75% | 9% | 4% | 10% | 3% | 2,061 |
Don't know | 34% | 16% | 19% | 22% | 9% | 111 |