Poll: Sinking Perceptions Of Islam

[Sarge]

I don't suppose it occurred to CBS that Americans opinion of islam has gone down because they are better informed about it :doh:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/12/national/main1494697.shtml

(CBS) Although Americans believe they are better informed about Islam than they were five years ago, a new CBS News poll finds fewer than one in five say their impression of the religion is favorable.

Forty-five percent of respondents queried April 6 - 9 said they have an unfavorable view of Islam, a rise from 36 percent in February. And the public’s impression of Islam has diminished even more compared with four years ago. In February 2002 – less than six months after the terrorist attacks of September 11 – the country was evenly divided in its impression of Islam.

WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF ISLAM?

FAVORABLE

Now

19%

2002

30%

UNFAVORABLE

Now

45%

2002

33%

Thirty-six percent of respondents said they haven’t heard enough or don’t know enough to say either way.

Americans today are also more likely than not to believe that Islam encourages violence, at least in comparison to other religions around the world.

The last few months have seen escalating sectarian violence between Shiite and Sunni Islamic factions in Iraq and the ongoing trial of Zacarias Moussaoui in the United States. The poll finds 46 percent of Americans believe Islam encourages violence more than other religions, compared with 39 percent of Americans who felt that way two months ago and 35 percent who felt that way in March 2002 (according to a Gallup Poll).

When compared with some other religions practiced in America, positive views of Islam rank below those for mainstream Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, and Christian fundamentalist faiths. Only Scientology, of all the religions asked about, ranked lower.

WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF....

PROTESTANTISM/OTHER CHRISTIANS

Favorable

58%

Unfavorable

12%

Don't Know

30%

THE CATHOLIC RELIGION

Favorable

48%

Unfavorable

37%

Don't Know

15%

THE JEWISH RELIGION

Favorable

47%

Unfavorable

16%

Don't Know

37%

CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISTS RELIGIONS

Favorable

31%

Unfavorable

31%

Don't Know

38%

THE MORMON RELIGION

Favorable

20%

Unfavorable

39%

Don't Know

41%

ISLAM

Favorable

19%

Unfavorable

45%

Don't Know

36%

SCIENTOLOGY

Favorable

8%

Unfavorable

52%

Don't Know

40%

[ChocolateCitySkin]

:doh: Islam is almost in line with scientology.

[scottie]

Not surprising.

It is surprising that 40% of people don't know that Scientology is crazy.

Do you think Scientology has earned a spot among the other main religions? I wasn't expecting to see it on the list.

[skinz1972]

islam isnt a religion of peace as most muslims claim.ISLAM means"submission" not peace.

[altair4]

I tend to read the scale a little differently (of course). The lowest religions seem to be the ones most intrusive upon what we consider to be fundamental human rights in the West. While the religion of Islam is OK as a religion, it sucks as a political system. And I think that is part of the growing dis-ease with the Bush regime. This country was founded on the basis of seperation of church and state. The bu****es seem to want to inject relgion back into the edifices of state. I think people instinctively view this (correctly) as going backwards, and react to it in that fashion.

Islam in and of itself is interesting. So is Sufiism. And the west benefited greatly from the Middle East during its Dark Ages, when the ME was developing algebra, medicine, etc. They certainly are not enjoying the same level of freedom now as they did then.

[Sarge]

I tend to read the scale a little differently (of course). The lowest religions seem to be the ones most intrusive upon what we consider to be fundamental human rights in the West. While the religion of Islam is OK as a religion, it sucks as a political system. And I think that is part of the growing dis-ease with the Bush regime. This country was founded on the basis of seperation of church and state. The bu****es seem to want to inject relgion back into the edifices of state. I think people instinctively view this (correctly) as going backwards, and react to it in that fashion.

Islam in and of itself is interesting. So is Sufiism. And the west benefited greatly from the Middle East during its Dark Ages, when the ME was developing algebra, medicine, etc. They certainly are not enjoying the same level of freedom now as they did then.

Not to hijack my own thread, but maybe you'd like to be the 1000th person to try and show where in the Constitution has "separation of church and state"

[altair4]

Not surprising.

It is surprising that 40% of people don't know that Scientology is crazy.

Do you think Scientology has earned a spot among the other main religions? I wasn't expecting to see it on the list.

One of the great mysteries of the Clinton Administration was the "Secret Closing Agreement" between the IRS and Scientology, Inc, granting it 501c3 status and tax exemption. This government "sanctioning" of religion seems to violate the Establishment clause, but no one seems up to addressing it.

[skinz1972]

there is no seperation of church and state clause...........................the church should be involved in our government,but government has NO business in the church.it says that government shall make no law respecting a certain religion alas china who has a state church.

[altair4]

Not to hijack my own thread, but maybe you'd like to be the 1000th person to try and show where in the Constitution has "separation of church and state"

We both know that is a sucker question. But a more than cursory study of the history of the constitution will reveal the origin of the phrase and concept. See http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html for a brief primer.

[Sarge]

We both know that is a sucker question. But a more than cursory study of the history of the constitution will reveal the origin of the phrase and concept. See http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html for a brief primer.

This has been done to death, but I saved some of my favorite quotes that support that Judeo Christians founded the country

Sorry to burst your bubble

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" - George Washington, 1st President of the United States

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is Just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." - Thomas Jefferson, 1781 (Engraved on the Jefferson Memorial)

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected, in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." - John Quincy Adams

ANd finally

We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." - James Madison, Father of the Constitution

[altair4]

This has been done to death, but I saved some of my favorite quotes that support that Judeo Christians founded the country

Sorry to burst your bubble

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" - George Washington, 1st President of the United States

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is Just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." - Thomas Jefferson, 1781 (Engraved on the Jefferson Memorial)

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected, in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." - John Quincy Adams

ANd finally

We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." - James Madison, Father of the Constitution

That is all well and good. They were firm believers in their faith, and expessing it openly as is their right. I have nothing but respect for them.

Private expressions of faith are fine, no matter what the faith. But as Jefferson said, the role of government goes to acts, not opinions.

We can debate it forever. I revere the limited role of government. In the spirit of "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's", You obviously have a different opinion.

[skinz1972]

This has been done to death, but I saved some of my favorite quotes that support that Judeo Christians founded the country

Sorry to burst your bubble

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" - George Washington, 1st President of the United States

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is Just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." - Thomas Jefferson, 1781 (Engraved on the Jefferson Memorial)

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected, in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." - John Quincy Adams

ANd finally

We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." - James Madison, Father of the Constitution

ur quoting jefferson? a hypocritcal slave owner? LOL

[Midnight Judges]

This has been done to death, but I saved some of my favorite quotes that support that Judeo Christians founded the country

Sorry to burst your bubble

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" - George Washington, 1st President of the United States

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is Just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." - Thomas Jefferson, 1781 (Engraved on the Jefferson Memorial)

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected, in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." - John Quincy Adams

ANd finally

We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." - James Madison, Father of the Constitution

Thank you for putting those quotes completely out of context. Here is a quote that is actually IN CONTEXT, that is, unlike your quotes, it was deliberately said with this exact debate in mind.

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state."

-Thomas Jefferson

[Midnight Judges]

ur quoting jefferson? a hypocritcal slave owner? LOL

:doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh:

[Sarge]

Thank you for putting those quotes completely out of context. Here is a quote that is actually IN CONTEXT, that is, unlike your quotes, it was deliberately said with this exact debate in mind.

Every one of those quotes ARE in context. You just don't want to admit it

As for the quote from Jefferson you posted, you should pay heed to your own words about context. That quote refers to not establishing any religion as an official government religion

[Sarge]

That is all well and good. They were firm believers in their faith, and expessing it openly as is their right. I have nothing but respect for them.

Private expressions of faith are fine, no matter what the faith. But as Jefferson said, the role of government goes to acts, not opinions.

We can debate it forever. I revere the limited role of government. In the spirit of "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's", You obviously have a different opinion.

Oh no, I'm definately a small government type. In fact, I'd prefer that most goverment run through states, as was originally intentioned

[altair4]

Oh no, I'm definately a small government type. In fact, I'd prefer that most goverment run through states, as was originally intentioned

[Midnight Judges]

Every one of those quotes ARE in context. You just don't want to admit it

As for the quote from Jefferson you posted, you should pay heed to your own words about context. That quote refers to not establishing any religion as an official government religion

A wall between church and state=simply not establishing a religion? Face it, you simply disagree with Jefferson. You're more of a Hamilton guy.

[TradeTheBeal!]

Quote:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state."

-Thomas Jefferson

Well done, MJ. This pretty much sums it up for me.

To the main point, polls are useless for a variety of reasons...not the least, they are constructed and utilized for the sole purpose of changing opinion, not revealing it. IOW, polls that don't fit are either falsified or scrapped without publication/publicization. I suspect that polls about religion are even less reliable, given the combined ignorance of other faiths and passion for internalized faiths among those polled.

My stance?....As a successful business owner and twice-removed cherokee, I find all religions offensive and dangerous....but, ultimately, necessary to the security of the public good. IOW, very similiar to politics, but inherently superior. I respect and trust the religiously devout far more than the partisan espouser....it's a no-brainer.

[Sarge]

Quote:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state."

-Thomas Jefferson

Well done, MJ. This pretty much sums it up for me.

To the main point, polls are useless for a variety of reasons...not the least, they are constructed and utilized for the sole purpose of changing opinion, not revealing it. IOW, polls that don't fit are either falsified or scrapped without publication/publicization. I suspect that polls about religion are even less reliable, given the combined ignorance of other faiths and passion for internalized faiths among those polled.

My stance?....As a successful business owner and twice-removed cherokee, I find all religions offensive and dangerous....but, ultimately, necessary to the security of the public good. IOW, very similiar to politics, but inherently superior. I respect and trust the religiously devout far more than the partisan espouser....it's a no-brainer.

You're right, polls are generally worthless. What surprised and intrigued me about this poll is it came from CBS, usually one of the propagators of the "islam is a religion of peace" propaganda

[Joe Sick]

So people hold Islam in higher regard than they do the president?

Looks like Sarge was right about the "Americans opinion of [him] has gone down because they are better informed about [him].

[TradeTheBeal!]

You're right, polls are generally worthless. What surprised and intrigued me about this poll is it came from CBS, usually one of the propagators of the "islam is a religion of peace" propaganda

Islam, like all other religions, is occasionally perverted to serve the economical and territorial ambitions of the ruling power elite. From my point of view (chaos theory), Islam has, historically, been mostly meeting the ante of the ultra-nationalistic, militaristic and Christian/Western-subsidized Israeli state. America, as a christian nation, is trapped in a way....ideologically/culturally allied to the Jewish cause while simultaneously emotionally/economically tied to the Arab cause.....all the while knowing that the domination of one over the other is the worst possible conclusion. It is the conflict of these two groups that, oil aside, allows us to have such influence in the middle east. Influence that is essential to our power foundation. Our simultaneous support of both mainland China and Taiwan/Taipei can be construed as a continuation of this policy.

Whaddaya think sarge?

[Sarge]

Islam, like all other religions, is occasionally perverted to serve the economical and territorial ambitions of the ruling power elite. From my point of view (chaos theory), Islam has, historically, been mostly meeting the ante of the ultra-nationalistic, militaristic and Christian/Western-subsidized Israeli state. America, as a christian nation, is trapped in a way....ideologically/culturally allied to the Jewish cause while simultaneously emotionally/economically tied to the Arab cause.....all the while knowing that the domination of one over the other is the worst possible conclusion. It is the conflict of these two groups that, oil aside, allows us to have such influence in the middle east. Influence that is essential to our power foundation. Our simultaneous support of both mainland China and Taiwan/Taipei can be construed as a continuation of this policy.

Whaddaya think sarge?

Mostly agree, aside from your contention of "islam is perverted by the minority" clause

Of course, if we just got rid of the troublemakers................

[Bad Man Burgendy & Gold]

Wow, I'm pretty happy Judaism ranked that high for people.

[TradeTheBeal!]

Mostly agree, aside from your contention of "islam is perverted by the minority" clause

Of course, if we just got rid of the troublemakers................

Maybe we should draw the "troublemakers" on both sides out by engaging in an somewhat intractable war of occupation? In a way, forcing all concerned parties to, effectively, tip their hands in accordance to our sacrifice. Most would agree, regardless of their personal view of our invasion of Iraq, that we know much, much more about what does and does not occur in that area than before. Further, we now have significantly more influence on any potential edicts/outcomes. Example - I submit that Iran, thankfully and predictably, has tipped their hand on their nuclear program and, as a consequence, will be dealt with promptly and properly by nations concerned with such matters.