Survey: One in Four Texans Thinks Obama is a Muslim

[bijanc]

There are still some voters who haven't heard of Rev. Jeremiah Wright:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6084678.html

(yeah right, the 23% who think so, believe a major U.S. political party is gonna nominate a Muslim to run against a war hero. And a large state such as Illinois is gonna elect an Islamic senator- su-u-re)

[jazzcyclist]

The psychological gymnastics required to simultaneously believe that Obama is a Muslim and that he belongs to a Church with a radical Black preacher is beyond my comprehension. :?

[bijanc]

No A-rabs in The White House

jazzy:

I doubt some of those surveyed even know both things.

[Mennisco]

The psychological gymnastics required to simultaneously believe that Obama is a Muslim and that he belongs to a Church with a radical Black preacher is beyond my comprehension. :?

Ever seen Texas Chainsaw Massacre? It is Hallowe'en......

:lol:

Almost everything's bigger in Texas but like with entropy, there's no free lunch......something had to give, and it was between the ears that the Texas Placeholder evolved.

[Cooter Brown]

[gm]

I'll concede to you, Cooter, that the 11% of surveyed Texas Dems who answered "Muslim" are indeed morons. Friends of yours?

[JRM]

For a country that espouses freedom of religion, there sure is a tension concerning some citizens' right to practice Islam...

[lonewolf]

For a country that espouses freedom of religion, there sure is a tension concerning some citizens' right to practice Islam...

True. Although there are no official restrictons and I am not aware of any widespread overt criticism or interference with any religion, I believe Romney, who would have been a much stronger candidate, being Mormon cost him the nomination.

Again, I am not aware of any restriction on practicing Islam. In fact, communites have been intimidated into bending over backwards to accomodate Muslims. However, with virtually all worldwide terrorists being committed in the name of Islam, I don't think you can blame people for being a little jumpy about things Muslim.

[JRM]

However, with virtually all worldwide terrorists being committed in the name of Islam, I don't think you can blame people for being a little jumpy about things Muslim.

This is called (a) stereotyping, and (b) prejudice. These are natural human reactions, but that doesn't mean they're rational reactions.

Anyway, what about the domestic terrorism being committed by fundamentalist Christians (e.g. abortion clinic bombings)? Terrorism (not so frequent now) in Northern Ireland and England? Certainly not Muslims there.

I think the keyword here is "fundamentalist". In any religion, there are crazies who will go to all extremes to make their (generally wrong) point.

[gh]

.....
True. Although there are no official restrictons and I am not aware of any widespread overt criticism or interference with any religion, I believe Romney, who would have been a much stronger candidate, being Mormon cost him the nomination. .....

Do we think that the Dems could find enough support in their base to put forth a Mormon candidate, or on that score would they be just as intemperate?

[tandfman]

In fact, communites have been intimidated into bending over backwards to accomodate Muslims. However, with virtually all worldwide terrorists being committed in the name of Islam, I don't think you can blame people for being a little jumpy about things Muslim.

Even if all terrorists were Islamic (which they are not), by no means are all Muslims terrorists. In fact, the future security of the world may depend on our winning and keeping the hearts and minds of the vast majority of Muslims who are not terrorists but who could have some natural sympathy for their co-religionists.

That is why it makes sense for communities to bend over backwards to accommodate Muslims, and it makes compelling sense for the US to adopt policies at home and abroad that take into consideration the need to keep the majority of the billion + Muslims in the world from supporting and embracing the most radical and violent elements of Islam.

[jazzcyclist]

.....
True. Although there are no official restrictons and I am not aware of any widespread overt criticism or interference with any religion, I believe Romney, who would have been a much stronger candidate, being Mormon cost him the nomination. .....

Do we think that the Dems could find enough support in their base to put forth a Mormon candidate, or on that score would they be just as intemperate?

If they would support a Jew for VP, certainly they would support a Mormon for President. I think the key would be that the person from one of these minority faiths not wear their religion on their sleeve. Remember, even JFK had to downplay his Catholicism when he ran for President.

[lonewolf]

.....
True. Although there are no official restrictons and I am not aware of any widespread overt criticism or interference with any religion, I believe Romney, who would have been a much stronger candidate, being Mormon cost him the nomination. .....

Do we think that the Dems could find enough support in their base to put forth a Mormon candidate, or on that score would they be just as intemperate?

I don't think concern over Romney being a Mormon was so widespread as to be labeled intemperate as party policy. I have no idea whether a Mormon would have been more, or less, acceptable to those of the Democratic persuasion.

I personally had no reservations about Romney, he was in fact my first choice. Nor do I know anyone who thought his religion was an issue but it was bantered about in the media to the extent that I do believe it was a factor in his withdrawal.
Just one guy's opinion.

[jazzcyclist]

In fact, communites have been intimidated into bending over backwards to accomodate Muslims. However, with virtually all worldwide terrorists being committed in the name of Islam, I don't think you can blame people for being a little jumpy about things Muslim.

As you well know, the percentage of Muslims that support Al Qaeda's agenda is very small. Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei all condemned the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Holding all members of a religious/racial/ethnic group responsible for the actions of a few is collective guilt, and we're on a slippery slope when we start doing that.

[lonewolf]

In fact, communites have been intimidated into bending over backwards to accomodate Muslims. However, with virtually all worldwide terrorists being committed in the name of Islam, I don't think you can blame people for being a little jumpy about things Muslim.

Even if all terrorists were Islamic (which they are not), by no means are all Muslims terrorists. In fact, the future security of the world may depend on our winning and keeping the hearts and minds of the vast majority of Muslims who are not terrorists but who could have some natural sympathy for their co-religionists.

That is why it makes sense for communities to bend over backwards to accommodate Muslims, and it makes compelling sense for the US to adopt policies at home and abroad that take into consideration the need to keep the majority of the billion + Muslims in the world from supporting and embracing the most radical and violent elements of Islam.

tandfman, I mentioned elsewhere that I have been closely associated for the past six years with the Iranian expatriate community, working toward exactly what you cited, education and understanding between the cultures to prevent another generation of potential terrorits. I have learned more about Islam and Muslims than I ever expected. . I am well aware that not all Muslims are terrorists and not all terrorists are Muslim. I have never said or implied that. They are just people with the same desire for a peaceful life as the rest of us. Most do not attempt to impose their religion on others but I do feel some expect unwarranted favoritism.

Abortion clinic bombings, IMO, are an entirely different motivation, having to do with personal conviction, not a specific religion.