WASHINGTON—A national survey conducted on voters days after the midterm election by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) finds new religious issues are dividing the electorate.
A troubled economy and a persistent high unemployment rate dominated the motives of voters in the midterm elections on Nov. 2, according to postelection surveys, including the PRRI survey.
Unlike most other postelection surveys, the PRRI survey asked about religious issues. The survey consisted of 1,494 callback interviews during Nov. 3-7, from a national random sample of 3,013 adults fielded in September. All respondents said that they had voted.
In a previous article, it was reported that this PRRI survey found that President Obama is facing a perception problem with a majority of voters, including a large minority even in his own party, that perceive the president’s religious beliefs different from their own.
This article continues the discussion on religious values and attitudes uncovered by the PRRI survey.
The survey discovered that the American public is roughly split down the middle on two issues, (1) whether the values of Islam are at odds with American values and way of life, and (2) whether Providence has granted America a special role in human history (called “American Exceptionalism”).
“The attack of Sept. 11, 2001, has left the country divided in its view of Islam and Muslims, and these divisions reinforce the cleavages between Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, ” said E.J. Dionne Jr., senior fellow at Brookings Institution and syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, who played host to a panel discussion on the survey findings, at Brookings, Nov. 17.
A troubled economy and a persistent high unemployment rate dominated the motives of voters in the midterm elections on Nov. 2, according to postelection surveys, including the PRRI survey.
Unlike most other postelection surveys, the PRRI survey asked about religious issues. The survey consisted of 1,494 callback interviews during Nov. 3-7, from a national random sample of 3,013 adults fielded in September. All respondents said that they had voted.
In a previous article, it was reported that this PRRI survey found that President Obama is facing a perception problem with a majority of voters, including a large minority even in his own party, that perceive the president’s religious beliefs different from their own.
This article continues the discussion on religious values and attitudes uncovered by the PRRI survey.
The survey discovered that the American public is roughly split down the middle on two issues, (1) whether the values of Islam are at odds with American values and way of life, and (2) whether Providence has granted America a special role in human history (called “American Exceptionalism”).
“The attack of Sept. 11, 2001, has left the country divided in its view of Islam and Muslims, and these divisions reinforce the cleavages between Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, ” said E.J. Dionne Jr., senior fellow at Brookings Institution and syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, who played host to a panel discussion on the survey findings, at Brookings, Nov. 17.
New Religious Issues
Voters were asked, whether “the values of Islam, [and] the Muslim religion, are at odds with American values and way of life.”
The American public is split almost evenly. Forty-five percent agreed with the statement, while 49 percent disagreed. Among those who agree, 20 percent agreed completely; among those that disagree, 22 percent disagreed completely.
This wide variance of views is reflected in party allegiances. Two-thirds (67 percent) of Republicans, 43 percent Independents, and 30 percent of Democrats saw Muslim and American values at odds. Tea Party supporters were about the same as Republicans at 66 percent.
Variance along ideological basis is equally wide: 62 percent of conservatives, 40 percent of moderates, and only 26 percent of liberals saw Muslim and American values as incompatible.
“The existence of these new religious cleavages helps explain recent flareups around American politics,” said Dionne. He mentioned as examples the controversy concerning the Islamic cultural center a few blocks from ground zero.
“Skepticism toward Islam among older and more conservative voters has the potential of arising in unexpected ways,” Dionne said.
This wide variance of views is reflected in party allegiances. Two-thirds (67 percent) of Republicans, 43 percent Independents, and 30 percent of Democrats saw Muslim and American values at odds. Tea Party supporters were about the same as Republicans at 66 percent.
Variance along ideological basis is equally wide: 62 percent of conservatives, 40 percent of moderates, and only 26 percent of liberals saw Muslim and American values as incompatible.
“The existence of these new religious cleavages helps explain recent flareups around American politics,” said Dionne. He mentioned as examples the controversy concerning the Islamic cultural center a few blocks from ground zero.
“Skepticism toward Islam among older and more conservative voters has the potential of arising in unexpected ways,” Dionne said.
American Exceptionalism
Turning to the second question, dubbed “American Exceptionalism,” the survey found a major split within the American public.
“A majority of Americans, 58 percent, believe America has a special role in human history, according to Dr. Robert Jones, CEO of PRRI.
He added, “Members of the Tea Party, 76 percent, and Republicans, 75 percent, are much more likely to believe that.” Fifty-four percent of Independents and 49 percent of Democrats polled believe it.
Almost 6 out of 10 liberals (59 percent) disagreed with the statement, and “strongly disagreed” at 46 percent.
“This is a stark polarizing element in American politics,” commented William Galston, senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings Institution in the study.
However, it may be important to note that this question did not always break down in a way one might expect for racial and ethnic groups. Sixty-four percent of Hispanics, 56 percent of whites, and 75 percent of African-Americans also agree with America holding a special place in human history.
PRRI describes itself as “a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and education organization specializing in work at the intersection of religion, values, and public life.”
He added, “Members of the Tea Party, 76 percent, and Republicans, 75 percent, are much more likely to believe that.” Fifty-four percent of Independents and 49 percent of Democrats polled believe it.
Almost 6 out of 10 liberals (59 percent) disagreed with the statement, and “strongly disagreed” at 46 percent.
“This is a stark polarizing element in American politics,” commented William Galston, senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings Institution in the study.
However, it may be important to note that this question did not always break down in a way one might expect for racial and ethnic groups. Sixty-four percent of Hispanics, 56 percent of whites, and 75 percent of African-Americans also agree with America holding a special place in human history.
PRRI describes itself as “a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and education organization specializing in work at the intersection of religion, values, and public life.”
Friends Read Free