Views about size of government among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who would rather have…
Survey year | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 53% | 42% | 3% | 3% | 4,502 |
2007 | 44% | 46% | 4% | 5% | 5,071 |
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 several times a year by religious group
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who would rather have…
Religious tradition | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 49% | 46% | 3% | 2% | 1,070 |
Evangelical Protestant | 63% | 31% | 2% | 3% | 906 |
Historically Black Protestant | 28% | 67% | 1% | 4% | 215 |
Jewish | 42% | 54% | 2% | 2% | 143 |
Mainline Protestant | 62% | 33% | 2% | 3% | 864 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 47% | 47% | 2% | 3% | 976 |
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 several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who are ages…
Views about size of government | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 15% | 39% | 27% | 19% | 2,440 |
Bigger government; more services | 28% | 37% | 22% | 13% | 1,710 |
Depends | 19% | 31% | 30% | 19% | 122 |
Don't know | 18% | 24% | 28% | 31% | 146 |
Generational cohort among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who are…
Views about size of government | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 7% | 15% | 31% | 32% | 12% | 1% | 2,440 |
Bigger government; more services | 19% | 18% | 29% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 1,710 |
Depends | 12% | 11% | 28% | 35% | 13% | 2% | 122 |
Don't know | 6% | 19% | 17% | 38% | 19% | 2% | 146 |
Gender composition among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who are…
Views about size of government | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 54% | 46% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 45% | 55% | 1,742 |
Depends | 52% | 48% | 123 |
Don't know | 41% | 59% | 151 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who identify as…
Views about size of government | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 80% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 2% | 2,465 |
Bigger government; more services | 50% | 15% | 8% | 24% | 3% | 1,727 |
Depends | 66% | 8% | 5% | 18% | 2% | 122 |
Don't know | 69% | 10% | 3% | 11% | 7% | 148 |
Immigrant status among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who are…
Views about size of government | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 12% | 9% | 79% | 2,460 |
Bigger government; more services | 25% | 12% | 63% | 1,719 |
Depends | 25% | 5% | 71% | 122 |
Don't know | 11% | 6% | 83% | 151 |
Income distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 20% | 20% | 32% | 28% | 2,215 |
Bigger government; more services | 39% | 19% | 25% | 17% | 1,563 |
Don't know | 39% | 25% | 20% | 15% | 119 |
Educational distribution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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% | 34% | 22% | 13% | 2,477 |
Bigger government; more services | 43% | 27% | 16% | 14% | 1,733 |
Depends | 42% | 27% | 18% | 13% | 122 |
Don't know | 40% | 32% | 17% | 12% | 150 |
Marital status among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who are…
Views about size of government | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 59% | 7% | 10% | 7% | 18% | 2,480 |
Bigger government; more services | 43% | 9% | 13% | 5% | 31% | 1,730 |
Depends | 47% | 9% | 10% | 10% | 24% | 123 |
Don't know | 50% | 7% | 12% | 12% | 19% | 150 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who are…
Views about size of government | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 32% | 68% | 2,479 |
Bigger government; more services | 32% | 68% | 1,734 |
Depends | 21% | 79% | 122 |
Don't know | 25% | 75% | 151 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 58% | 26% | 5% | 1% | 8% | 2% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 52% | 25% | 8% | 1% | 12% | 2% | 1,742 |
Depends | 51% | 25% | 4% | < 1% | 10% | 9% | 123 |
Don't know | 60% | 25% | 4% | 1% | 4% | 5% | 151 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 45% | 31% | 13% | 10% | < 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 46% | 28% | 13% | 13% | < 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 44% | 28% | 15% | 11% | 1% | 123 |
Don't know | 41% | 39% | 12% | 5% | 1% | 151 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 31% | 39% | 30% | < 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 25% | 41% | 33% | < 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 31% | 32% | 36% | 1% | 123 |
Don't know | 33% | 35% | 30% | 3% | 151 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who pray…
Views about size of government | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 47% | 19% | 9% | 25% | < 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 44% | 18% | 9% | 29% | 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 40% | 24% | 6% | 29% | < 1% | 123 |
Don't know | 48% | 21% | 9% | 19% | 3% | 151 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 18% | 7% | 10% | 65% | < 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 15% | 11% | 12% | 62% | < 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 17% | 5% | 7% | 72% | < 1% | 123 |
Don't know | 16% | 12% | 12% | 60% | 1% | 151 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 26% | 9% | 7% | 56% | 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 27% | 11% | 9% | 52% | 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 37% | 7% | 7% | 46% | 2% | 123 |
Don't know | 31% | 7% | 10% | 49% | 3% | 151 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 42% | 18% | 21% | 18% | 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 38% | 19% | 25% | 17% | 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 47% | 15% | 17% | 18% | 3% | 123 |
Don't know | 47% | 11% | 21% | 17% | 4% | 151 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 29% | 9% | 52% | 8% | 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 26% | 11% | 47% | 13% | 2% | 1,742 |
Depends | 24% | 10% | 52% | 5% | 9% | 123 |
Don't know | 20% | 12% | 50% | 8% | 10% | 151 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 38% | 60% | 1% | 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 22% | 76% | 1% | 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 24% | 72% | 4% | < 1% | 123 |
Don't know | 26% | 68% | 4% | 2% | 151 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 25% | 10% | 13% | 52% | < 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 21% | 12% | 12% | 55% | 1% | 1,742 |
Depends | 23% | 7% | 11% | 58% | 1% | 123 |
Don't know | 20% | 7% | 14% | 57% | 2% | 151 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 23% | 33% | 2% | 36% | 6% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 30% | 26% | 2% | 37% | 6% | 1,742 |
Depends | 19% | 20% | 8% | 36% | 17% | 123 |
Don't know | 24% | 20% | 6% | 31% | 19% | 151 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who …in heaven
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 74% | 20% | 6% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 71% | 25% | 5% | 1,742 |
Depends | 60% | 23% | 17% | 123 |
Don't know | 66% | 20% | 15% | 151 |
Belief in Hell among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who …in hell
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 57% | 35% | 8% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 57% | 37% | 5% | 1,742 |
Depends | 39% | 41% | 21% | 123 |
Don't know | 49% | 28% | 23% | 151 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who identify as…
Views about size of government | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 56% | 15% | 30% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 18% | 16% | 65% | 1,742 |
Depends | 16% | 35% | 49% | 123 |
Don't know | 24% | 28% | 49% | 151 |
Political ideology among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who are…
Views about size of government | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 43% | 39% | 14% | 4% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 21% | 37% | 38% | 5% | 1,742 |
Depends | 11% | 53% | 23% | 13% | 123 |
Don't know | 22% | 36% | 27% | 15% | 151 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 61% | 35% | 3% | 2% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 25% | 71% | 2% | 2% | 1,742 |
Depends | 25% | 55% | 15% | 5% | 123 |
Don't know | 22% | 55% | 12% | 11% | 151 |
Views about abortion among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 54% | 43% | 3% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 63% | 34% | 3% | 1,742 |
Depends | 57% | 36% | 7% | 123 |
Don't know | 60% | 29% | 10% | 151 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 62% | 31% | 4% | 3% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 72% | 22% | 3% | 3% | 1,742 |
Depends | 63% | 15% | 16% | 6% | 123 |
Don't know | 61% | 27% | 6% | 5% | 151 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year who …same-sex marriage
Views about size of government | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 51% | 42% | 7% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 67% | 28% | 5% | 1,742 |
Depends | 55% | 29% | 16% | 123 |
Don't know | 59% | 33% | 8% | 151 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 44% | 52% | 2% | 1% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 27% | 70% | 1% | 2% | 1,742 |
Depends | 15% | 64% | 7% | 14% | 123 |
Don't know | 20% | 58% | 7% | 14% | 151 |
Views about human evolution among adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year by views about size of government
% of adults who feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe several times a year 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 | 33% | 28% | 3% | 33% | 3% | 2,486 |
Bigger government; more services | 41% | 25% | 3% | 28% | 3% | 1,742 |
Depends | 36% | 20% | 13% | 18% | 14% | 123 |
Don't know | 34% | 19% | 13% | 23% | 11% | 151 |