Ground Zero Mosque: Uneasy with Islam?
Friday, September 3, 2010 at 12:00AM 
The Quran is the sacred text revealed through Islam. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.What’s the cause of the flap over the so-called Ground Zero Mosque? Its proximity to the site of the World Trade Center is a lightening rod that attracts lots of energy. But the deep cause of the debate is not proximity; it’s the uneasiness so many Americans have with Islam.
Favorable opinions of Islam have declined in recent years, according to the new Pew survey we’ve relied on this week. Now, only 30% of Americans express favorable opinions of Islam, compared with 41% five years ago. Older Americans are more likely to hold unfavorable opinions of Islam, compared with younger Americans. But not more than a third of any age group expresses favorable opinions. Only 35% of Americans aged 18–29 have positive attitudes about Islam. This figure drops to a mere 20% of Americans 65+.
More formal education translates into more favorable attitudes about Islam, according to the poll. Even so, less than half of those with the most favorable opinions, college graduates, hold a positive view of Islam. The majority of Republicans (54%) have an unfavorable opinion, compared with 27% of Democrats and 40% of Independents.
Are you uneasy with Islam? If so, what’s your reason? If not, what makes you comfortable with Islam?
Please, leave a “Comment” below.
Reader Comments (4)
I can't say that I feel strongly anti-Islam, but more pro freedom of expression. My lack of understanding of the religion, few close relationships with people of this group and my perception that they don't seem to be as eager as I perceive other ethic/religious groups to assimulate into American culture color my feeling of comfortability.
Some useful info to address some of the (valid) concern raised above...
A recent effort to reach out, admittedly a long time coming:
http://www.myfaithmyvoice.com
Muslim First Responders on 9/11:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU5W-iUv8fg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVtup1bB7aM
An assumptions shattering article on freedom of religion... even under 'sharia law':
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sherman-a-jackson/sharah-between-two-popes_b_698206.html
"...Bottom line? Sharî'ah accommodated the existence and lifestyles of Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Zoroastrians and countless others. It can live with a few bars and miniskirts and lots of Jacobs in modern America -- multiracial, multicultural, multireligious modern America."
IMHO - I believe those who are against it - "just because they are Muslims" (and there other type), need to get over their paranoia.
After all- we went thru this with the Irish Catholics, Germans, Chinese, etc.
-charles