Growing Number of Americans Say Islam Encourages Violence Among Foll

[Az]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=133-07242003

Excerpt
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A poll released today by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press shows that there has been an important shift in public perceptions of Islam. Fully 44 percent of the American public now believes that Islam is more likely than other religions "to encourage violence among its believers." As recently as March 2002, just 25 percent expressed this view.
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Of note
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Nearly four-in-ten (38 percent) say they would not vote for a well-qualified Muslim for president, and 17 percent would not vote for a well-qualified evangelical Christian. Fully 52 percent say they would not vote for a well-qualified atheist.
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Seems atheists are still the most hated group in America.

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. And the fundie christians, don't?

eom

[Karenina]

9. No comment, just a link...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=33376&mesg_id=33376&page=

[bowens43]

2. Was it followers of Islam

who just murdered several thousand civilians in Iraq? The slaughter was ordered by Christians and probably carried out mostly by Christians.

[Spentastic]

3. I'm an atheist

But I'll call you on that.

I'd prefer "people claiming to be Christians"

Christ had some good ideas. Shame some of his "followers" can't read properly.

[sam sarrha]

7. Jesus only taught love and compassion...

i feel that any 'christian' that professes negativity hate anger or intollerance can not be considered a Christian.. and are the "ANTICHRIST" the fundamentalists preach about. the Book of Revelations i was taught in sunday school from age 5, FOR EVER, according to a Jewish referance book i found, was actually written about 80 years after Jesus' death. that it was actually a coded rant against the roman excesses of the day, by a guy named john. i always felt they attached the old testiment to the new to keep it from being confused with Buddhism.

[DarkPhenyx]

4. No, pagans would be the most hated...

...religious group in America. Probably the world.

[study_war_no_more]

15. merry meet

agreed the pagans get a bad rap and also the maydayists.

[DarkPhenyx]

17. Bright blessings.

I take heart from it all though. No matter how much oppression there ahs been we are still here. I think, as with all good things, it might be supressed, but it will never be completely destroyed.

[PsychoDad]

22. Sorry, but as an ex-pagan, I disagree

Before finding Islam, I was a pagan for many, many years. I practiced the craft in a small coven, or alone. Always with a small group of others of like mind who I trusted. But, in everyday "mundane" society ,unless I discussed my religious opinions or dressed in a manner that atracted attention, I was just another american- Just another face in the crowd.

Not so with many of my Islamic brothers and sisters, because of their names, skin color, dress, or accents, they, through no fault of their own, attract the attention and scorn of others. A young witch can move about in the shadows of our society much easier than a young sister wearing a hijab.

We are all discriminated and mocked by the ignorant, my friend. I don't think any one group escapes that if they are not acceptable to mainstream Amerika. It's this ignorance that attacks anything differnt, attempts to bully us into submission to the "norm". Furthermore, It is often the least secure members of this "norm", that lead these attacks in an attempt to prove to themselves the validity of their beliefs. These jackals attack whoever is convient at the time, be it pagans, Jews, liberals or muslims.

At present the group of choice is Islam.

Peace be upon you my friends

[study_war_no_more]

37. these are thoughtful points

true most of us do not proclaim our religion in a visable way add to that Sept 11th generated most of this hatred today to focus on Muslims and off of Satan "Worshippers" and dead heads. Xians always seem to have an object or group they point out as a threat when of course it is they who threaten nine out of ten times. Rather than be god fearing I would rather be God mirroring. I work with several differnt groups of Africans who dress anywhere from traditionally to americanized. I would be remiss to guess if they were Muslim or not due to there dress though as some dress traditionally but are xians. But I bet the types who supported this poll would think if dressed traditionally means they are Muslim and therefore bad.

[Fovea]

33. I have seen horrible things done to Pagans by Xtians.

I personally was in a melee involving hand weapons to protect a grove from a group of 15 or so drunkenly couragous high school boys who I believe were sent out onto the coven's private land to drive us off by the local youth for christ chapter.

Sadly, they were armed with baseball bats, and half of the coven present were fighters in the SCA. We still have a couple souvenir bats.
I personally was armed with a wood axe, having helped split the wood for the Lammas circle that afternoon. My souvenir was a peice of a plastic spoiler from what I suspect was daddy's new car. I would not have done it, but the asshole tried to run me over.

They came back with guns on that Fall Equinox, but that is another's story, as I missed that holiday due to my mother's death.

But yes, I would agree that certain sects of Christianity are ugly, hateful, and poised for another series of terrorist attacks, like they did in the 80's and early 90's. They hate us, and want us dead. That is the long and the short of it.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Growing numbers of Germans blame the Jews for their woes

would have been the headlines in 1933 Germany.

It feels like we are replaying the horrors of the Nazi era with America in the role of Germany and Bush as the new Hitler.

9/11 was our Reichstag fire. PATRIOT Act was the Enabling Act. It is only a matter of time before thousands are put in concentration camps, or are liquidated outright.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LiberalFighter]

31. Progressive???

You have it wrong.

Progressives are more likely to be on the receiving end of violence.

Progressives try to coexist while extremists such as Nazis, Republicans, Religious fanatics will resort to murder if they feel it will accomplish their goals.

[sfecap]

6. Hitler and Goebbels knew that the first thing to do was...

"demonize" the "enemy". Blame them for all of the problems. "They" are the ones at fault..."they" aren't like "us"...we're nice decent Christian, god fearing people...they aren't.

The rest was easy.

[loyalsister]

11. Yep

Push Poll???

[LiberalFighter]

32. That seems familiar

The republican party in this area use that tactic.

As an example of what the residents write to our local papers.

http://www.allencountydemocrats.org/LetterEditorMedieval2003.htm

http://www.allencountydemocrats.org/LetterEditorMedieval2002.htm

[blondeatlast]

8. A PR campaign may be in order (Read on before flaming)

The sad fact is that believers of Islam are a minority in the US so they need to speak louder to be heard. One only needs to think back to the Civil Rights era to see the sense of that argument.

As a Christian, I don't shy away from the fact that there has been plenty of evil and violence done in Christ's name. OTOH, Christianity is a majority in the US, so the only place I have had to argue that that mindset doesn't represent all Christians by any means is . . .

DU.

[NashVegas]

30. "'If that's Islam, I'm a Buddhist"

A Richard Thompson quote, when asked about the Taleban.

[LeftHander]

10. Growing Number of Americans Are Becoming Morons

SHeesh....what a stupid poll.

Rasict, intolerant religous right neocons are sick.

[study_war_no_more]

16. they are obviously jealous of our freedoms

six percent of worlds population uses over fifty percent of the worlds resources and exports war and exploitation. This is a no brainer that would piss Jesus off royally.

[study_war_no_more]

21. growing number of americans stick fingers in their butts

and others smell them and say yassuh dat sho enuff smells good.

[The Stranger]

13. Listen Closely: The subtext of Bush's war is Crusade.

The reason why the rise in numbers is because the Fundamentalist "Christians" are working around the clock to foment American hatred towards Muslims. If you have the right channels, you can watch it on your television nearly 24 hours per day. It is part of the new Crusade.

They do this by grouping all Muslims and identifying them with Fundamentalist Muslims, who are similar in many ways to Christian Fundamenatlists. There are also Jewish Fundamentalists, although you hear very little about them here, currently aligned with the Christian Fundamentalists against the Muslims.

All three groups narrowly interpret "scripture" to pervert the true religious message of their faith and to serve their purpose, which is violent conflict with the Other. For the Christians, as it has been in one form or another since 1095 when Urban II launched the First Crusade, the Other is Islam.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims (and even Eastern Orthodox Christians) were ruthlessly attacked and massacred in the Crusades, in particular during the Christian attack and occupation of Jerusalem. Also in 1095 and at other times during the Crusades, prior to embarking for the "Holy Land", the Crusaders would usually have a pogrom and massacre hundreds of local European Jews, but you don't hear much about that either.

In this country, the Christian Fundamenatlists have infiltrated the government, and are part of the reason why the nation is invading and "at war" with predominantly Muslim countries, such as Iraq, which had no ties to the 9-11 attack on the United States.

Buy and read the NY Times Bestseller, Karen Armstrong's Holy War: The Crusades and their Impact on Today's World.

[blondeatlast]

18. I fear you may well be correct.

We're afraid of the word "jihad," we should be just as fearful of "crusade." And bushit has already used it more than once.

He (almost) makes me ashamed to say I'm a Christian.

[robbedvoter]

14. Darn right! I hear they photograph the dead bodies of

people they kill and parade them to their buddies to raise money for yet other violent actions!

[Malikshah]

19. Good points here

I spent much of the last two years seeing my classes on the Middle East and Islam filling up w/ scared people. The outright bigotry and hatred spewed forth with a complete ignorance of what the speaker was saying was quite disheartening.

I'm no apologist for Islam, but giving people the facts bothers them. It makes them think that maybe, just maybe Muslims are not out to get them.

Some of the key stereotypes that are easily debunked by a cursory perusal of history:

Stereotype: Muslims conquered the region with a Qur'an in one hand and scimitar in the other, forcing the Jews & Christians to convert or die.
Fact: The Muslim conquests were just that, military endeavors, quite typical of the day and region; their success was due more to the weakness and internal instability of their foes than anything else. Furthermore, for at least 2 centuries the Muslim dynasties ruled as a minority over a majority non-Muslim population. Why? It's practical--people who are forced to convert would not so easily be ruled over...

Stereotype: Allah is a Muslim god.
Fact: Allah is the same God as referred to by Jews and Christians. It is merely a different understanding of said God and the message of God. According to Muslims, God had sent his messengers from the beginning of humanity (starting w/ Adam on through Moses, David, Jesus, etc.) Muhammad was simply the final one, with God completing his message.

Etc, etc. etc. No--I'm not Muslim--no I'm not preaching.

My point is that with a very little bit of education folks can defeat the bigotry.

Does this mean Islam is pure and good and all Muslims get along with the rest of the world as they've done for over 1400 years? OF COURSE NOT--We're dealing w/ humans here folks. Since when have we ever had an ideal situation. We've mucked up every "message" given to us...

A previous poster hit it on the head regarding comparisons to the Soviet Union and the Cold War.

Funny, after the cold war ended--all of a sudden we get articles and papers on the new threat--no longer the "red threat," now its the "green threat" Hmmm creating boogeymen?

As for "jealousy" of us-- I'd argue that a few of them hate us, a few of them love us, a few of them pity us for our perceived materialism and secularism, and few of them just don't give a frog's fat ass and want to live their lives in peace. Gee--sound familiar...maybe..like us? (BTW I hate the "us" and "them" issues--but for sake of brevity (HA!) I'll use them here)

BTW- Jihad does not mean Holy War. It comes from Arabic root J-H-D meaning "to struggle" There are 2 jihads.. the Greater Jihad & the lesser Jihad. The greater jihad is the struggle for every Muslim to be a better Muslim--to follow the message of God etc. The lesser Jihad is the struggle against the enemies of Islam.
Within Islamic history (another inaccurate term--we don't say "Christian History" when speaking of Europe, etc.) The concept of the lesser Jihad has differed among the scholars. Some viewed it as defensive, while others as offensive (i.e. to spread Islam) It all depended on where you lived (i.e. if you lived near Christian lands then it varied, but at times became belligerent due to the constantly shifting borders)

Following the onset of the Crusades in the 11th century--Jihad became more of an issue (go figure)

OK--sorry, sorry--Shouldn't have gone off like this--but these kind of polls just piss me off to no end.

BTW--anyone who comes at me w/ Qur'anic quotes to support the idea of Islam as a violent religion better be ready to have their ass handed to them on a platter...friendly warning.:P

OH-- My screen name "Malikshah" is actually made up of two words for king, one in arabic, one in persian. It was the name of a Sultan of the 11th century who was a hoot and a half, but came to a sticky end.

[leesa]

20. And Fundie christians are mad that THEY aren't considered the

most violent. The bible is extremely violent...and it seems to be encouraging people like GW to murder at will. Atheists probably do the least killing and violent acts of all of them but they get the slam.

[blondeatlast]

24. The Bible doesn't encourage it,

misinterpreting it does.

Please don't criticize what you don't know.

[Trek234]

28. Maybe you are misinterpreting it?

Ever think of that? A fair number of Christians would say you were.

They are not "misinterpreting" it. They are just interpreting it differently than YOU do. You are not in any position to say they are reading Christianity in a flawed manner just as they would not be to say the same to you.

[blondeatlast]

34. You have a good point, actually, and I appreciate you're pointing

out my flaw in language and/or thinking (former English teacher--language is important!).

The same is true of nearly any religious scripture, hence the problem. It is all in the interpretation; there are few absolutes.

[IndianaGreen]

36. Nothing like having a bloodthirsty Gawd

Ezekiel 21 The LORD said:

2 Ezekiel, son of man, condemn the places in Jerusalem where people worship. Warn everyone in Israel 3 that I am about to punish them. I will pull out my sword and have it ready to kill everyone, whether good or evil. 4 From south to north, people will die, 5 knowing that my sword will never be put away.

[study_war_no_more]

39. do not suffer a witch to live

origionally this was do not suffer a poisoner to live (in referance to poisoning the king) before it was reinterpeted, personally I do not interpet my experience of a creator and have found my experience to be richer and more rewarding.

[study_war_no_more]

38. I doubt something so easily and often

misinterpted as the bible came from any diety at all. Actions speak louder than words and the teacher Jesus acted two hundred years before people started to interpet what he was saying and thinking in book form.

[Flubadubya]

23. If atheists are the most hated group in America...

which group, then, is doing the hating... ever stop and wonder?

[Trek234]

27. People from all kinds of groups

hate atheists. Doesn't mean EVERYONE in a single group does, however.

[JohnKleeb]

41. White Christians I'd say and I am that

[Mari333]

25. .....

[Porcupine]

26. A growing number of Americans are Idiots playing with explosives....

It's sad to say but my impression of the functional knowledge base of your average U.S. citizen is that it is pretty low. Here's a few life skills that your friends and neighbors DON'T have.

They can't:

Sharpen a knife. Light a campfire without flammable liquids. Calculate simple interest. Change the oil or tires on their car. Cook a meal from a garden. Prune a tree.

In short they can turn the television on, they can almost drive a car and they can perform a few highly specialized tasks at work. Most anything else is beyond their willingness to learn.

We are a nation of the willfully ignorant.

[SOS]

29. This poll indicates

that 44% of Americans are able to repeat what they hear on Fox News.
How about some real questions which test actual knowledge rather than soundbite recall ability?

Is Iran Shiite or Sunni?
Iraq was 3 provinces of which empire prior to 1919?
Which European power occupied Iraq from 1919 to 1931?
Are Iranians Arabs?
What country has the largest Moslem population?
What is the predominant language of Iraq? Iran? Pakistan?

If the poll asked question like these the numbers would fall from 44% to 1%. Saying "Islam is violent" while knowing next-to-nothing about it sorta defines the word stereotype.

[blondeatlast]

35. If you want a real fright, read the poll report:

http://pewforum.org/docs/index.php?DocID=26


Too much 21%
Too little 41%
Right amount 29%
Don't know 2%

Faith should guide a person's actions, not be the cause of it.

[Aaron]

40. Expressions of faith and prayer by political leaders

41%... What percentage of Americans are evangelicals again?

[RobinA]

42. I Wonder

how a growing number of Americans would explain Northern Ireland and the IRA.