How Moral Are You?
Epstein Morality Inventory (EMI) v. 1.1.1, ©2012-2023, Dr. Robert Epstein  

You are about to take a unique test that will show you how moral you are according to standards provided to us by prominent moral leaders: priests, ministers, imams, rabbis, divinity school professors, and others - even an archbishop of the Catholic church.

Designed by Dr. Robert Epstein, one of America's most distinguished research psychologists, this test will show you which standard or standards you match best and which ones you differ from most.

The test will even allow you to zoom in on particular standards to see exactly how your answers correspond to those of a particuar moral leader.

Morals are standards of right and wrong established by a community. Because morals are often codified in religious documents, many people believe that their set of morals—the ones stated in those documents—are absolute and therefore superior to other moral standards.

The test you are about to take doesn't settle issues of this sort. It simply shows you how well your own morals match various existing standards. We hope you find this information helpful in clarifying your thinking about a wide range of moral issues.

The test usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.

Before we get to the test itself, we'll ask you a few basic questions about yourself. This information is being collected for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential. It cannot be used to identify you, so please answer honestly.

If you are conducting research and would like to collect raw data for a group that is taking this test - for a church, temple, mosque, business, research study, classroom activity, or other purpose - please see our Group Testing Instructions.

Trigger warning: This questionnaire mentions sensitive topics such as murder, sexual assault, suicide, abortion, and racism.

*required response

*Your initials or first name:

Group code (if applicable):

*How fluent are you in English?
Not very fluent   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Highly fluent

*Your age:

*Your location: Other location:

State (if applicable):

*Your primary religious affiliation: Other religion:

*Politics (check as many as apply):
Conservative
Liberal
Moderate
Republican
Democrat
Independent
Pro-Life
Pro-Choice
In favor of gay rights
Skeptical about gay rights
A conservationist
Skeptical about the conservation movement
Interested in current events
Other politics (be brief):

*Highest Degree:
None
High School
Community College
Bachelors
Masters
Doctorate

 *Race/Ethnicity:
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
American Indian
Other

 *Gender:
Male
Female
Other

 *Sexual Orientation:
Straight
Gay or lesbian
Bisexual
Other
Unsure

 *Employed:
Yes
No
*In general, how much success have you had in your personal life?
Very little   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  A great deal

*In general, how much success have you had in your professional life?
Very little   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  A great deal

*In general, how happy and fulfilled are you?
Very unhappy   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Extremely happy

*Are you currently married?
Yes  No 

*Were you ever married?
Yes  No 

*Have you ever been divorced?
Yes  No 

*Are you a parent?
Yes  No 

*Have you ever been fired from a job?
Yes  No 

*Have you ever been arrested?
Yes  No 

*Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
Yes  No 

What crime?

*Have you ever spent time in jail or prison?
Yes  No 

*Have you ever changed your religion?
Yes  No 

*Have you ever been excommunicated from a church?
Yes  No 

*How often do you attend a place of worship?
Never   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Very often

*How often do you pray?
Never   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Very often

Okay, here is the test itself....



For each of the following questions, select the answer that best reflects your personal beliefs.

1. Polygamy (multiple spouses) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


2. Arranged marriage is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


3. Divorce is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


4. Adultery is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


5. Abortion is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


6. Abortion after a rape is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


7. Self-harm (cutting, burning, etc.) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


8. Suicide is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


9. Assisted suicide is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


10. Violence in self-defense is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


11. Murder is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


12. Wrath (anger) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


13. Harming an animal for sport or entertainment is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


14. Training animals for circuses is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


15. Staging animal fights is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


16. Eating meat is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


17. Eating beef (cow meat) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


18. Eating pork (pig meat) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


19. Killing an insect is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


20. Violence against a helpless adult is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


21. Violence against an innocent adult is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


22. Violence against certain religious or ethnic groups that you believe are evil is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


23. Wife beating is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


24. Torture is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


25. Bullying is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


26. Physical discipline of a child by his or her parent is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


27. Physical discipline of a child by teacher or other authority figure is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


28. Kidnapping is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


29. Infanticide (killing human babies) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


30. Rape is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


31. Cannibalism is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


32. Smoking cigarettes is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


33. Using marijuana is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


34. Drinking caffeinated beverages is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


35. Drinking alcohol is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


36. Using illegal drugs is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


37. Using drugs for spiritual or religious purposes is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


38. Gambling is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


39. An unmarried adult female accompanying an unrelated adult male is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


40. Physical contact between unmarried adults is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


41. Public displays of affection are:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


42. Lust is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


43. Sexually suggestive dancing is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


44. Dancing in general is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


45. Public nudity is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


46. Pornography is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


47. Sex before marriage is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


48. Sex between an adult and a child is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


49. Anal sex (sodomy) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


50. Oral sex is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


51. Male promiscuity (a male having casual sexual relations) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


52. Female promiscuity (a female having casual sexual relations) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


53. Group sex (an orgy) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


54. Prostitution is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


55. Incest (sex with a close relative) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


56. Bestiality (sex with animals) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


57. Masturbation is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


58. Homosexuality is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


59. Same-sex marriage is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


60. Piercings are:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


61. Tattoos are:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


62. Idolatry (worshipping idols) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


63. Polytheism (worshipping multiple gods) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


64. Blaspheming (cursing God) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


65. Atheism (denial of God's existence) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


66. Agnosticism (doubting God's existence) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


67. Gluttony (extreme overeating) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


68. Sloth (extreme laziness) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


69. Hatred is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


70. Pride is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


71. Wealth is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


72. Greed is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


73. Not giving to charity is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


74. Materialism is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


75. Theft is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


76. Envy (jealousy) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


77. Gossip is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


78. Lying is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


79. Swearing (cursing, cussing) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


80. Cheating on a test is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


81. Cheating in sports is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


82. Cheating on your taxes is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


83. Breaking the law is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


84. Bribery (accepting or offering) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


85. Damaging the environment is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


86. War is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


87. The right to own firearms is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


88. The death penalty for committing a crime is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


89. The death penalty applied to minors is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


90. Taking possession of someone's home or land against his or her will is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


91. Imprisoning an innocent person is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


92. Slavery is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


93. Racial segregation is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


94. Discrimination (based on race, nationality, religion, age, or gender) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


95. Deporting illegal immigrants is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


96. Child labor is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


97. Allowing children to serve as soldiers is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


98. Allowing women to serve as soldiers is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


99. Owning animals is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


100. Women being subservient to men is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


101. Forcing one's wife to have sex is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


102. Surgery is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


103. Plastic surgery (cosmetic) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


104. Medical treatment is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


105. Using animals in medical research is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


106. Embryonic stem cell research or treatment is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


107. Vaccinations are:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


108. Organ donation is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


109. Selling one's organs is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


110. Blood donation is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


111. Selling one's blood is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


112. Egg or sperm cell donation is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


113. Selling egg or sperm cells is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


114. Birth control (to prevent conception) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


115. Voluntary sterilization (vasectomy or tubal ligation) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


116. Sex change is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


117. Prenatal scanning (to establish gender or detect deformities) is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


118. Cloning of humans is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


119. Cloning of non-humans is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure


120. Euthanasia is:
Always moral  1  2  3  4  5  Always immoral     Not a moral issue    Depends on the circumstances    Not sure