New survey compares US Muslims, Catholics; conservative young Catholics outnumber liberals 2-1

March 03, 2009

A new Gallup survey has compared Muslims in the United States with members of other religious communities, including Catholics. Only 41% of Muslims-- and 37% of Catholics-- attend services at least weekly. In one of the most surprising findings of the survey, more young Catholics (39%) describe themselves as conservative or very conservative than as moderate (35%) or as liberal or very liberal (20%). Among the other findings:

• 80% of Muslims consider religion an important part of their daily life, while 68% of Catholics do
• 45% of Catholics, and 41% of Muslims, believe they’re “thriving”
• 56% of Catholics, and 51% of Muslims, between the ages of 18 and 29 are registered to vote, compared to 65% of the general population
• “39% of young Muslim Americans describe their views as moderate, 28% say they are either liberal or very liberal, while 20% consider themselves politically conservative or very conservative.”
• 8% of Muslims are Republicans, while 49% are Democrats and 37% are independents. On the other hand, 29% of Catholics are Republicans, while 36% are Democrats and 34% are independents

 

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Further information:

• Muslim Americans Exemplify Diversity, Potential (Muslim West Facts)
• Full text of report