Poll: Majority of Young Americans Say There is No Absolute Truth

While Majority of Americans Still Believe in Absolute Truth, Young Adults Say People Determine Their Own Truth

81 Percent of Americans Say Individual Standing for Principles Can Change Culture  

(Manitou Springs, CO—November 1, 2022) Summit.org, in partnership with McLaughlin and Associates—one of America’s most respected polling survey firms—is releasing the results of a recent national survey. Results were from a survey of 1,000 likely general election voters nationwide and was conducted October 12th through October 17th.

“The number of Americans who say there is no absolute truth is alarmingly high. But among young adults, we have now officially passed the tipping point. The majority of youth now say that each person determines their own version of truth,” said Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit.org and the author of the new book Truth Changes Everything: How People of Faith Can Transform the World in Times of Crisis. “The loss of truth has grave consequences for community, justice, a sense of purpose, and mental health. I’m not aware of any civilization that has abandoned reality to this extent and survived. The good news is that Americans still hold out hope that each person can make a difference. If there ever was a time to stand for truth, it is now.”

All interviews were conducted online; survey invitations were distributed randomly within predetermined geographic units. These units were structured to correlate with actual voter turnout in the general election. This poll of 1,000 general election voters has an accuracy of +/- 3.1% at a 95% confidence interval.

The complete link to the data can be found here:

National Poll Report – Absolute Truth

KEY INSIGHT: Majority of Americans Still Say There is Absolute Truth:

• 60 percent of American voters who expressed an opinion on the issue believe that there is absolute truth.

• 40 percent of American voters who expressed an opinion on the issue believe each person determines their own version of truth.

KEY INSIGHT: Majority of Young Americans Believe There is No Absolute Truth, Only Personal Truth, Older Americans Still Believe in Absolute Truth:

• 42 percent of American voters aged 18-29 believe in absolute truth. 55 percent believe each person determines their own version of truth.

• 50 percent of American voters aged 30-40 believe in absolute truth. 46 percent believe each person determines their own version of truth.

• 59 percent of American voters aged 41-55 believe in absolute truth. 35 percent believe each person determines their own version of truth.

• 67 percent of American voters aged 56-65 believe in absolute truth. 31 percent believe each person determines their own version of truth.

• 64 percent of American voters over 65 years of age believe in absolute truth. 32 percent believe each person determines their own version of truth.

KEY INSIGHT: Large Majority of American Voters Believe That One Person Standing for Their Beliefs Can Make a Difference in Time of Crisis:

• 81 percent of American voters who expressed an opinion on the issue believe that one person standing for their beliefs in a time of crisis has the power to bring change.

• 19 percent of American voters who express an opinion on the issue do not believe that one person standing for their beliefs in a time of crisis has the power to bring change.