Study: Americans Still Know Right from Wrong

Thu, Mar 13, 2008

Articles

by Devon Williams, associate editor, Focus on the Family

‘Humans are created with a sense of conscience …with a sense of right and wrong.’

The majority of Americans — 87 percent — believe in the concept of sin, according to a new study by Ellison Research. Sin was defined as “something that is almost always considered wrong, particularly from a religious or moral perspective.”

The study, conducted in August, asked more than 1,000 adults to decide whether 30 behaviors were sinful. Adultery was most often described as sinful behavior (81 percent), followed by racism (74 percent), and drug use (65 percent).

“It’s encouraging to know that in this day of moral relativism, that a majority of Americans still recognize and believe that there is such a thing as sin,” said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.

Other behaviors considered sinful by a significant portion of Americans included abortion; homosexual activity; pornography; gossip; swearing; and sex before marriage.

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One Response to “Study: Americans Still Know Right from Wrong”

  1. Chavonne Klatt Says:
    November 19th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    I appreciate this article. I do have one concern, though, the visual of the “apple” with “sin” on it reminds me of the temptation of Eve. (It is probably intended to do that.) As Latter-Day Saints we know that Adam and Eve did not sin but transgressed the law. There is a difference between the two. This is just a thought, but maybe you may want a different visual. Thanks for the opportunity to give my input.