Americans express views on Immorality

A new Pew Research Center poll has been released on what Americans Consider Immoral. And adultery tops the list! ──

March 19, 2026

Republicans and Democrats differ sharply on whether abortion, homosexuality, and the death penalty are morally wrong …

We asked about behaviors that are, at least in part, morally debated in society today. We did not focus on behaviors that nearly everyone would likely say are morally wrong (like murder or stealing) or that everyone presumably would find acceptable (like asking for directions or picking up litter).

Consequently, the finding that Americans think many things are morally permissible doesn’t mean the public thinks everything is morally permissible.

Indeed, there is one item on our list that most Americans do find immoral: having an extramarital affair. Nine-in-ten U.S. adults say that married people having an affair is morally wrong.

(https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/03/19/what-do-americans-consider-immoral/).

Pew’s chart shows that 90% of Americans view married people having an affair as immoral, followed by 52% who view pornography as immoral. Then there’s 47% against having an abortion, viewing it as immoral. 39% of people view homosexuality as immoral, and only 35% who believe it’s immoral to end a person’s life with the help of a doctor. *

Well … according to God’s living, immutable word, every one of those is immoral, despite a person’s personal belief.

The LORD God’s living seventh commandment tells us ──

“’ You shall not commit adultery.’” – Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; Matthew 5:27.

Here are a few more Scriptures related to physical adultery ──

“For THE COMMANDMENT IS A LAMP, And THE LAW A LIGHT; Reproofs of instruction ARE THE WAY OF LIFE, 24) To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress, 25) Do not lust after her beauty IN YOUR HEART, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. 26) For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. 27) Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28) Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? 29) So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.” – Proverbs 6:23-29.

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” – Leviticus 18:22.

“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” – Leviticus 20:13.

“as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” – Jude 7.

The Pew Research Center also posted a related article ──

March 5, 2026

In 25-Country Survey, Americans Especially Likely To View Fellow Citizens as Morally Bad

Americans are more likely than people in other countries surveyed in 2025 to question the morality of their fellow countrymen, …

In nearly all countries surveyed, more people say that others in their country have somewhat or very good morals than say their compatriots display somewhat or very bad levels of morality.

(https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/03/05/in-25-country-survey-americans-especially-likely-to-view-fellow-citizens-as-morally-bad/).

Well … that’s calling the kettle black!

In the U.S., 47% view their fellow citizens as morally good. According to the Americans polled, all other countrymen who are living in the U.S. are much more immoral! 

The article went on to say, “The United States is the only place we surveyed where more adults (ages 18 and older) describe the morality and ethics of others living in the country as bad (53%) than as good (47%). 39% of U.S. adults say homosexuality is morally wrong – far more than take that position in Germany or Sweden (5% each) but far fewer than in Indonesia (93%) or Nigeria (96%).”

Again, irrespective of any personal opinions, God’s living word condemns sexual immorality and murder (which does indeed include abortion and human euthanasia).

As we’ve pointed out before, the word “adultery” in part refers to the physical sin of adultery. Sex outside of marriage. Breaking the bonds of loyalty. But, a more spiritual aspect, when you see the words adultery, fornication, whoring ── and you read and study the whole passage ── it is the LORD God’s pronouncement against people who are engaged in false religions. □

* Full question response: "Patients choosing to end their lives with the help of a doctor."