A new poll below shows just how wedded the American voters are to faith-based politics. Two-thirds of voters say that it is very important (39%) or somewhat important (28%) for a presidential candidate to have strong religious beliefs. However, it has to be the right religion. Forty-three percent admitted that they would be uncomfortable with a Mormon in the White House. The numbers are even greater in opposition to a Muslim (64%). However, it is an atheist that draws the most universal opposition. Sixty-seven percent say they would not want an atheist in the White House. It would indicate that the attacks on atheists (and here) in this country and abroad may be resonating with voters and that faith-based politics remains good politics for candidates.
There are some interesting details like that fact that Democratic voters are more opposed to a Mormon president than Republicans. Fifth percent of Democratic voters (50%) express discomfort on the issue over Republican voters (36%) or Independent voters (38%). What is also interesting is that younger voters are less comfortable than older voters.
The news is not good for Obama either. The number of people unhappy with Obama has not significantly changed with 45% approve and 44% disapprove. However, a majority (54%) of white Americans disapprove of how Obama is handling his job as president. Yet, 88% of African Americans approve of his performance. The poll suggests that people like Obama . . . they just don’t like him as president.
It is a study worth browsing if you have the time.
PRRI-2011-American-Values-Survey-Web
Source: American Values
“Disagree, per Dr. Altemeyer’s Book. Exclude this segment from the sample, the opposition to atheists (the least trusted of all the groups), probably hovers around 50%”
I’m confused now. Assuming your figures are right, that means that only a quarter of opposition to Atheists is from fundamentalist Christians. How on earth does that mean that this whole thing is the result of authoritarianism in fundamentalist Christians?
Mike, Quinnipiac called me a number of months ago about what first appeared to be local Pa. politics but then asking how i felt for instance about Santorum. I saw from the questions there was skewing so I did not answer truthfully. I am sure I am not the only one. You know the saying figures lie, liars figure.
“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.”
~Seneca”
As usual Mespo comes up with a prescient quote to elegantly describe the heart of the problem. I would only add further that in the US and in many other places the open profession of people’s faith represents acts of hypocrisy by those who talk a good game. One of America’s most cherished mores is the public declamation of faith, even if one’s own practice is fraught with exceptions. We live in a country where the majority profess faith, but do little to live up to its strictures. This is evident more so in our leaders, who are mainly shameless hypocrites where religious belief is concerned.
Polling itself on matters hotly disputed is usually quite suspect. The bias of the questions and the pollsters plays a big role in skewing results. Then to people taking these polls tend to give answers that really are less than heartfelt and more in line with what the pollee thinks is expected. Polls have stated that more than half of the people don’t believe in evolution and i don’t believe that is what they really think, but more like what they think they’re supposed to think.
“What you haven’t provided evidence for is that 2/3rds of the American voting public can be described as religious fundamentalists.” — Granted.
“I’m arguing that you’re confusing a small subset of Christianity with the whole.” Disagree, per Dr. Altemeyer’s Book. Exclude this segment from the sample, the opposition to atheists (the least trusted of all the groups), probably hovers around 50%