Americans adopting less favorable view of Islam

August 25, 2010

For the first time in the past decade, more Americans hold an unfavorable view of Islam than a favorable one, according to a new survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

A month after the September 11, 2001, attacks, 47% of Americans had a favorable view of Islam, and 39% had an unfavorable view, according to an ABC poll cited in the new survey. By 2005, 41% held a favorable view, and 36% held an unfavorable view. Today, 30% hold a favorable view, and 38% hold an unfavorable view.

Among the survey’s other findings:

by a 45%-38% margin, more Americans agree with the statement that Islam “does not encourage violence more than others” (i.e., other religions) than with the statement that Islam “is more likely than others to encourage violence”

by a 51%-34% margin, Americans disapprove of the construction of a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center

by a 62%-25% margin, Americans agree that “Muslims should have same rights as other groups to build houses of worship in local communities”

 

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Further information:

• Public Remains Conflicted Over Islam (Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life)