Religion and Views of Right and Wrong

Abstract

Examines whether U.S. religious groups see moral rules as absolute or situational, and whether belief in God is viewed as necessary for being moral. Latter-day Saints lean strongly toward the view that belief in God matters for being moral and having good values.

Findings for Latter-day Saints

• U.S. religious groups differ on whether moral rules are absolute or situational.
• Latter-day Saints lean strongly toward "belief in God is necessary for being moral and having good values."

Limitations in methodology

Binary framing of "absolute vs. situational" morality oversimplifies complex moral reasoning.

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Cite this study

Unknown (2025). Religion and Views of Right and Wrong. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religion-and-views-of-right-and-wrong/

Unknown. "Religion and Views of Right and Wrong." Pew Research Center, 2025. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religion-and-views-of-right-and-wrong/.

@article{pew_2025_religion_and_views_of_right_and_wrong,
  title = {Religion and Views of Right and Wrong},
  author = {Unknown},
  year = {2025},
  journal = {Pew Research Center},
  url = {https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religion-and-views-of-right-and-wrong/},
}