Consistent increase in anti-Islam sentiment in America

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http://www.pollingreport.com/religion.htm

"Would you say you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of Islam?"
Favor-
able Unfav-
orable No
Opinion
% % %
9/03 39 38 23
10/02 42 33 26
1/02 41 24 35
10/01 47 39 13
.

"Every religion has mainstream beliefs, and also fringe elements or extremists. Thinking of mainstream Islam, do you think mainstream Islam teaches respect for the beliefs of non-Muslims, or not?" Half-sample (Form A)

Does Does
Not No
Opinion
% % %
9/03 31 43 26
10/02 37 35 28
1/02 41 22 38

"Do you think mainstream Islam encourages violence against non-Muslims, or is it a peaceful religion?" Half-sample (Form A)

Encourages
Violence Peaceful No
Opinion
% % %
9/03 34 46 20
10/02 23 53 25
1/02 14 57 29

[blm]

1. Sad. The Christian right is fostering this view in their churches.

My sister in Ohio spoke glowingly about the ex-Muslims now Christians who gave a presentation to her congregation about the evils of Islam.

It was horrifying to hear what propaganda they are spreading. The rightwing has a propaganda operation going against Muslims without much protest from the press.

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3. That is a two-way street

Many mosques do the same with Christian converts.

If this trend continues and there is another terrorist attack most Americans may likely be anti-Muslim. They need to do something drastic before they wind up suffering a Hidenburg size disaster, especially if the GOP controls all the levers of power a few years from now...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Please clarify

To whom do you refer when you say
"They need to do something drastic before they wind up suffering a Hindenburg size disaster..."

What can American Muslims do other than live their lives with honor, be good citizens, and try to tell people the truth? I think we ALL need to work together to get out the truth about the Bush Administration and the roots of terrorism.

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7. American Muslims of course

They, and people like me that are perceived to be Muslim, are on the path to disaster. I'm going to immigrate to Canada to escape this. I am trying to present these facts so other perceived Muslims, and more importantly, Muslims themselves wake up and realize this.

The roots of terrorism? That is part of the problem. What conclusion do you expect a "moran" to draw when he sees American Muslims repeating exactly what Arab leaders say about U.S. foreign policy and terrorism?

[DuctapeFatwa]

15. I'm not sure Muslims are alone in concerns about US foreign policy

The US engages in, and funds, what can only be called terrorism.

One of the cornerstones of US foreign policy is the slaughter of Muslims in order to seize natural resources in Muslim lands for Us corporations.

Naturally, there are going to be some Muslims who are less than enthusiastic about the policy.

Muslims, and Arabs in general, have been demonized for decades in the US media in order to make palatable, even popular, policies and actions carried out in the name of and with the hard-earned tax dollars of the American people that are not only un-American, but against the basic principles of EVERY religion.

I can't speak to what you heard in a particular mosque.

If you heard something that sounds wrong to you, did you talk with the person who said it? Find out what he is basing it on?

Was he basing it on the Koran or a weak hadith?

In every sacred text, you can find something to prove any argument you want to make, as well as its opposite.

"...verily, in that is a lesson to those endowed with sight..."

Koran 24:44

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. And these so-called 'converts' are spreading lies

I took on a right winger armed with one of their pamphlets. They said they were quoting the Qur'an, but when I looked up their citations, the verses were very different than what my Qur'an said. I cited my source, a translation called the Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an (not a Wahhabi translation, btw), and wrote down every word. The right winger conceded that I was 'a good debator'-and still continues to put down Muslims anyway.

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8. That is another two-way street

Muslim "converts" do the same thing. Moreover, since most Muslim converts are black, they are often used to smear Christianity as racist.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. There are converts and there are converts

Most of the Muslims I know are American Sufis, and they are all converts. They are, almost to a person, liberal and progressive. Those who are immigrants have all been hard working good citizens-there are many small towns in this country that wouldn't have a doctor unless that fellow from Egypt or Iraq decided to settle there.
Although I know of African-American converts, I don't recall them saying anything against Christianity. I guess our experiences are different.

I believe that your fear of internment camps is well founded. However, I also fear that those camps will house liberals, environmentalists, and anyone who doesn't agree with the right wing. So we Muslims won't be alone.

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14. I don't know any Sufis

99% of my family is Sunni and I know some Wahabbis, so yes, our experiences are different.

You make a good point. Muslims do contribute to America. However, their contributions will not be able to save them from a backlash from the majority if this trend continues and there are other terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

It is rare but I there are some African-American converts that are used to paint Christianity as racist. I'm sure it happens in reverse too, as former black Muslims who became Christians are used to pain Islam as racist. Sadly, there is enough racism to go around for all religions.:(

I can see that happening but I can only see Muslims being interned in the short-term. My guess would be that after the second terrorist attack on U.S. soil after 9/11 pressure will build for such camps.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. As I read the numbers

it looks like the basic feelings about mainstream Islam is holding ok (if I read your numbers right), but that the general opinion of 'Islam' is going negative. Doesn't surprise me, what with the tirades of ignorant fundamentalist preachers. What really bothers me are the people who don't want to learn anything at all about Islam, which is really sad.

For those who do, I suggest my friend's website, Bridge Between World Views at http://www.bridgebetweenworldviews.com/index.html Check out the World Religions pages and Honey of Islam pages especially to see Islam from the perspective of an American mystic who found it to be her path.

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6. They are going South, in some cases rapidly

From 10/01 to 9/03 the favorable opinion of Islam fell from 47% to 39%. The unfavorables held steady.

In 1/02 41% of Americans thought "mainstream Islam" taught tolerence for other religions; 22% said it did not. In 9/03 the number of those that believe that mainstream Islam (a leading term) teaches intolerence skyrocketed to 43%. Less than a third(31%) believe it teaches tolerance.

In 1/02 only 14% of Americans thought mainstream Islam encouraged violence; by 9/03 that number rose to 34%. The number of people that think Islam is peaceful fell from 57% to 46%. Virtually all the people that left the "no opinion" category during that time joined the "Islam is violent" category.

These are rapid changes and they are all taking an alarming course.

The sad fact that is Islam is an intolerant and violent religion--but so are Christianity and Judaism. It is obvious from the religion's teachings, which is why you have the undecided flocking into the negative categories. My worry is that this rapid increase may create popular support for interning Muslims into concentration camps in a few years, if there is another terrorist attack(which is almost certain). Yet, the vast majority of Muslims don't see the writing in the wall.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. On what facts do you base your suppositions about Islam?

If DUers believe that Islam is intolerant and violent, than I don't think there is hope for us. My husband and I have been threatened and many have said that we deserve to go to camps with the 'other foreigners'. We lead the Dances of Universal Peace, a group participatory form of body prayer that honors ALL religious traditions, including Wicca and Native traditions. I am an ordained minister in the service of Universal Worship, in which we read from and honor ALL the world's holy books. We are both native born Americans-he has Cherokee blood, and my roots go back to the Mayflower. We try to practice tolerance, mercy, and compassion, as is taught by Islam. For us, the way of Islam is the Sufi way, and the Sufi way is one of tolerance and mercy. Check out www.churchofall.us to find out more about this, if you are interested.

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11. 99% of my family is Muslim

I've seen what kind of "tolerance" is taught inside American mosques. I've seen "Should you be friends with Christians or Jews?"(friendships non-Christians and non-Jews aren't even fathomable apparently) debated several times. I've seen the glorification of jihad (not terrroist jihad nut the one launched by Islam when it started) and Islamic imperialism.

Sufi's are not mainstream Muslims. I didn't say mainstream Muslims are intolerant. I simply said--and the facts are clear on this--that the teachings of Islam are intolerant and violent. Obviously most American Muslims are tolerant, but I am not sure if most religious fundie American Muslims are. Walk into a mosque and ask the fundies what they think of "THE Jews"...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. thank you for the clarification

My experience with Islam is with Sufism. You are correct that it is not 'mainstream'. It is the mystical sect of Islam, and Sufis have been prosecuted by other sects of Islam for many years. I am sad that your mosque teaches hate. Mine does not. May peace be with you.

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9. BTW, does anyone have these numbers?

"Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of American Muslims?"

In 2002 a slim majority had a favorable view, about a quarter unfavorable, and another quarter was undecided.