A majority of Americans say they receive moral guidance from family, friends or religious teachings, but less than 20 percent say they get it from political leaders or social media influencers, according to a new Deseret News/Marist Poll.
Also, at the bottom of the list as sources for moral guidance are traditional media and athletes.
The data was the second part of the Deseret News’ Faith in America survey and examined several faith-centric topics. For example, the poll found that 86 percent of Americans say they’ve prayed for a family member, while 70 percent have prayed for a work colleague. But only 43 percent have prayed for a political leader and 37 percent for their business or company.
Among the poll’s other findings:
- Nearly six in 10 Christians (57 percent) say they do not factor their faith into their business decisions.
- 85 percent of Americans say they are “comfortable with the people with whom they work knowing their personal religious beliefs”.
- 61 percent of Americans say religion plays no role in where they work.
Hal Boyd, executive editor of the Deseret National said, “Our overall survey looks at how Americans of different backgrounds do or do not incorporate religion and faith into key aspects of their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to faith and business, the survey indicates Americans are largely comfortable with those they work with knowing their personal religious beliefs.”