Views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say government aid to the poor…
| Survey year | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 44% | 50% | 4% | 2% | 35,071 |
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: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm
Views about government aid to the poor by religious group
% of adults who say government aid to the poor…
| Religious tradition | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buddhist | 22% | 73% | 4% | 1% | 264 |
| Catholic | 46% | 48% | 4% | 2% | 7,202 |
| Evangelical Protestant | 56% | 38% | 4% | 2% | 8,593 |
| Hindu | 33% | 58% | 7% | 3% | 199 |
| Historically Black Protestant | 27% | 66% | 4% | 2% | 1,916 |
| Jehovah's Witness | 31% | 60% | 5% | 4% | 245 |
| Jewish | 29% | 65% | 3% | 3% | 847 |
| Mainline Protestant | 48% | 46% | 4% | 2% | 6,083 |
| Mormon | 64% | 31% | 3% | 1% | 664 |
| Muslim | 30% | 63% | 4% | 3% | 237 |
| Orthodox Christian | 47% | 49% | 3% | < 1% | 186 |
| Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 36% | 58% | 4% | 2% | 7,556 |
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: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm
Switch Display To: religious group by views about government aid to the poor
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say they…
| Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 69% | 19% | 4% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 58% | 21% | 6% | 1% | 12% | 2% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 67% | 16% | 4% | 2% | 8% | 4% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 65% | 16% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 749 |
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: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say religion is…
| Views about government aid to the poor | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 57% | 25% | 9% | 8% | < 1% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 49% | 25% | 12% | 13% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 56% | 22% | 10% | 10% | 2% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 60% | 19% | 8% | 8% | 6% | 749 |
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: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who attend religious services…
| Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 39% | 33% | 27% | < 1% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 32% | 34% | 34% | < 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 39% | 28% | 32% | 1% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 39% | 28% | 29% | 4% | 749 |
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month/a few times a year, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who pray…
| Views about government aid to the poor | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 58% | 16% | 6% | 19% | 1% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 52% | 15% | 6% | 27% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 60% | 13% | 4% | 20% | 1% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 59% | 13% | 6% | 16% | 5% | 749 |
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: At least daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who attend prayer group…
| Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 27% | 10% | 8% | 55% | 1% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 22% | 9% | 8% | 61% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 29% | 9% | 8% | 53% | 1% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 29% | 6% | 8% | 55% | 4% | 749 |
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who meditate…
| Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 39% | 8% | 4% | 48% | 2% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 41% | 10% | 4% | 44% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 48% | 6% | 5% | 39% | 2% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 47% | 6% | 4% | 35% | 8% | 749 |
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
| Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 60% | 14% | 9% | 15% | 1% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 57% | 15% | 10% | 17% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 64% | 12% | 8% | 13% | 3% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 58% | 13% | 7% | 17% | 5% | 749 |
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
| Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 43% | 16% | 13% | 27% | 2% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 48% | 16% | 13% | 22% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 47% | 14% | 10% | 24% | 3% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 44% | 15% | 12% | 23% | 6% | 749 |
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Sources of guidance on right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
| Views about government aid to the poor | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 38% | 8% | 45% | 7% | 2% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 29% | 13% | 45% | 11% | 2% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 34% | 10% | 41% | 6% | 9% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 32% | 6% | 40% | 7% | 14% | 749 |
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: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say…
| Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 43% | 55% | 1% | 1% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 25% | 73% | 1% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 30% | 62% | 6% | 2% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 27% | 62% | 2% | 10% | 749 |
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: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation
Frequency of reading scripture by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who read scripture…
| Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 38% | 10% | 8% | 43% | 1% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 32% | 11% | 9% | 48% | 1% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 41% | 9% | 7% | 42% | 2% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 39% | 8% | 5% | 45% | 4% | 749 |
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say the holy scripture is…
| Views about government aid to the poor | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 34% | 30% | 3% | 27% | 6% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 27% | 24% | 2% | 40% | 7% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 28% | 21% | 6% | 28% | 17% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 34% | 15% | 9% | 22% | 19% | 749 |
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: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who …in heaven
| Views about government aid to the poor | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 77% | 16% | 7% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 67% | 26% | 7% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 69% | 18% | 13% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 70% | 14% | 16% | 749 |
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: Believe, Don't believe
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who …in hell
| Views about government aid to the poor | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does more harm than good | 65% | 27% | 8% | 15,591 |
| Does more good than harm | 52% | 41% | 8% | 17,359 |
| Neither/both equally | 56% | 30% | 15% | 1,372 |
| Don't know | 51% | 27% | 22% | 749 |
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: Believe, Don't believe
Switch Display To: views about government aid to the poor by belief in hell
