{"id":73804,"date":"2010-08-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-08-18T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2010\/08\/18\/new-pew-research-center-survey-reveals-growing-number-of-americans-who-say-barack-obama-is-a-muslim\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T04:13:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T09:13:40","slug":"new-pew-research-center-survey-reveals-growing-number-of-americans-who-say-barack-obama-is-a-muslim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2010\/08\/18\/new-pew-research-center-survey-reveals-growing-number-of-americans-who-say-barack-obama-is-a-muslim\/","title":{"rendered":"New Pew Research Center Survey Reveals Growing Number of Americans Who Say Barack Obama is a Muslim"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Immediate Release<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Washington, D.C. \u2014 A new national survey<\/a> by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that a substantial and growing number of Americans say that Barack Obama is a Muslim, while the proportion saying he is a Christian has declined. More than a year and a half into his presidency, a plurality of the public says they do not know what religion Obama follows.<\/p>\n\n

CONTACT<\/h3>
\n

Liga Plaveniece<\/strong>
Communications Associate
202.419.4586
lplaveniece@pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

According to the survey, nearly one-in-five Americans (18%) now say Obama is a Muslim \u2014 an increase from 11% in March 2009. Only about one-third of adults (34%) say Obama is a Christian, a sharp decrease from 48% in 2009. Fully 43% say they do not know what Obama\u2019s religion is. The survey was completed in early August, before Obama\u2019s recent comments about the proposed construction of a mosque near the site of the former World Trade Center.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n

The belief that Obama is a Muslim has increased most sharply among Republicans (up 14 points since 2009), especially conservative Republicans (up 16 points). But the number of independents who say Obama is a Muslim has also increased significantly (up eight points). There has been little change in the number of Democrats who say Obama is a Muslim, but fewer Democrats today say he is a Christian (down nine points since 2009).<\/p>\n\n

The new poll, conducted between July 21 and Aug. 5 among 3,003 respondents, also examines the link between Americans\u2019 perception of Obama\u2019s religion and their opinion of his job performance, and covers views on the president\u2019s approach to religion, including the influence of his religious beliefs on policy decisions. In addition, the survey explores Americans\u2019 attitudes toward churches\u2019 involvement in politics and religion\u2019s influence on American life and government, and looks at religion\u2019s impact on voting preferences for the upcoming 2010 congressional races.<\/p>\n\n

The report, including a summary and topline questionnaire, will be accessible on the Forum\u2019s new Web feature, “Religion & Politics 2010<\/a>,” which provides a variety of election resources, including:
\u00a0<\/p>\n\n