Religion is a critical factor these days in the public's thinking about contentious policy issues and political matters. An increasing number of Americans have come to view Islam as a religion that encourages violence. At home, the public remains divided over whether churches should speak out on politics, and sizable minorities say they would oppose a presidential candidate solely because of the candidate's religious affiliation. There also is evidence of a wide religious gap in attitudes on issues ranging from gay marriage to the Middle East.
The new nationwide survey of 2,002 adults, conducted June 24-July 8 by the Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, shows that 44% of Americans say that Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence among its followers, a sharp rise from 25% who held this view in March 2002. A separate Pew Research Center study found that nearly half the public thinks that half or more Muslims worldwide hold anti-American views, up from just a third who felt this way in 2002.
The poll finds declining overall opposition to gay marriage, and growing religious differences on this contentious issue. Roughly half of all Americans (53%) oppose allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally while 38% support that idea. The shift in favor of gay marriage is seen in nearly every segment of society with two notable exceptions -- white evangelical Protestants and African-Americans.
Religious beliefs play an important role on other issues as well. White evangelicals are more likely than members of other religions to believe that Israel was given by God to the Jews and that it represents a fulfillment of the biblical prophesy about Jesus' second coming. White evangelicals also side with Israel in its dispute with the Palestinians much more than do members of other faiths.
The survey also covers many other issues, including views of President Bush's religiosity and the political preferences of major religious groups.
To view our new poll, please see our website: http://www.people-press.org
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