'Ground Zero Mosque': Taking pulse of public opinion
What do mosques look like near you? Muslim centers come in many shapes and sizes. Here’s a mosque in northern Wisconsin that resembles local churches in that area.
What does the American public say about the proposed Muslim community center in New York City?
If the court of public opinion ruled, the new facility would not be built. Just over half (51%) of Americans oppose the so-called Ground Zero Mosque, according to a new survey by Pew. Only a third (34%) say it should be built.
But there is considerable variation in levels of support and opposition. Older Americans are more likely than younger Americans to object to the new mosque. Those with more formal education are less likely to oppose it than those with less education. Republicans overwhelmingly oppose the project, with three of four saying so. Just over a third of Democrats (39%) say no to the Ground Zero Mosque.
Despite opposition to this mosque, many Americans (62%) affirm the rights of Muslims to build houses of worship in local communities, according to the Pew report. Only 25% say local communities should be able to prohibit the construction of mosques if they disapprove of them. There is more consensus on these issues than there is with the New York City mosque. Looking at differences in age, education, and political party, only two groups have less than a majority who affirm these rights: the oldest Americans and Republicans. Just less than half (48%) of Americans 65+ say that Muslims should have the same rights as other religious groups to build houses of worship. And just less than half (47%) of Republicans say that same.
Do you have a mosque in your local community?
If so, how do you feel about it?
If there plans to build one near your home, what would you say? Would you oppose or support it?
Comments
Scarlet
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 : 6:38 p.m.
Point well taken Robyn, I do see your point of view. This is a very hard subject with many fine lines to straddle.
robyn
Fri, Sep 10, 2010 : 1:24 a.m.
I don't really think you or I or anyone who is NOT there or has NOT lost a loved one can determine what those people think or feel. People's spiritual beliefs are very personal to them - so are their feelings when they have faced a tragedy of horrific proportions - it can affect the way they view certain things. But it's not up to you or anyone else to tell them they are wrong - or right - or whatever. Also - unless you have personally spoken to any of the people who have lost a loved one in that attack, you really don't know what motivates them to be against it. It may have nothing to do with Islam itself - it may have more to do with those involved in that particular project. Think about it - do you think the families of soldiers would object to a Baptist Church being built right next to a cemetery for those who have served or died serving our country? Probably not - but what if that Baptist Church was Westboro Baptist Church? I doubt they'd support the idea - they'd probably fight NOT to allow that particular church to build there. Real tolerance comes from being able to look at both sides of an issue and understanding that both sides may have very valid reasons for their views/opinions/beliefs.
Scarlet
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 10:31 p.m.
There are several churches as well as the Pussycat Lounge and New York Dolls Gentlemen's Club within 3 blocks of this sacred hallowed ground. http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2010/08/19/for-strip-clubs-near-ground-zero-its-business-as-usual-amid-mosque-uproar/ People can't stand that there might be anything related to Islam there though. If this isn't blatant Islamaphobia, then I don't know what is. The fine employee of the gentlemen's club remembers the rights of Americans better than most of the politicians fighting for votes right now.
robyn
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 11:51 a.m.
This issue should be addressed by the people who are directly impacted by it. I think this goes beyond whether of not a Mosque can or should be built anywhere - it has more to do with building in (call it a community center or whatever - it is still being built and houses a specific religious sect) THAT particular location. Many of the people who lost loved ones view that entire area as a cemetery of sorts - sacred ground. Muslim groups have stood up and said that they too thought it was inappropriate to build there as it does cause emotional distress to people. Just wondering - if a church (any denomination) chose to build a community center on a Native American burial ground - would you still believe or support the building of it - or would you think it's insensitive for a church to ignore the significance of that area to Native Americans? I can't say if it should be built or not -I have no first hand emotional stake in that area. But I do find the comments about the concerns of one poster offensive. Those comments about the poster's 'ingnorance' and pride' - as a reason for intolerance - are just as intolerant! When is one kind of intolerance more acceptable than another? And who determines which kind of intolerance is tolerable?
Forever27
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 10:29 a.m.
@PeaceMaker, I don't know, but there is definitely ignorance in pride.
PeaceMaker
Mon, Sep 6, 2010 : 6:37 p.m.
@technojunkie: Is there pride in ignorance?
Scarlet
Mon, Sep 6, 2010 : 2:01 a.m.
@technojunkie: By your standards we shouldn't build schools near Catholic churches let alone have Catholic schools because the priests would solicit the young boys for sex right? You can't hold all the people of a religion responsible for the actions of the few worst ones. In fact, I'm sure most Catholics don't consider those few priests real Catholics for their actions just as most Muslims don't consider terrorists real Muslims regardless of their claims. NOT building this community center (its not even a mosque; read the article or get some facts) would be a viewed as a victory by the 'jihadis' because they would have finally gotten the U.S. to sacrifice its own claim to fame: freedom and the first amendment
Technojunkie
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:06 a.m.
People who have read more than the censored view of history taught in government schools are concerned that this particular $100M mosque built so close to the WTC will be viewed as a monument to victory by the jihadis, similar to the Great Mosque of Cordoba that was built on a church foundation after the Muslim conquest of Spain and what the NY mosque is being named after. It's not an exact match but it's the best they can do at this time, buying a building to raze that was badly damaged in the 9/11 attack.
Forever27
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.
For me, the data you showed points to nothing but politicization of an otherwise mundane development. Coupled with religious bigotry and xenophobia of the worst kind. Regardless of public opinion, the people who want to build this community center have every right to do so. To argue about the "appropriateness" of this is a non-sequitur, and the fact that politicians are grandstanding on this (especially the fact that NONE OF THEM ARE FROM NEW YORK) spits in the face of our secular political system.