Are we still on the Muslim thing?
By Steve Benen Thursday Jul 10, 2008 5:30pmFor quite a while, there was considerable public confusion over Barack Obama’s Christian faith. Thanks to an email chain and right-wing whispers, a few too many people were led to believe Obama is, or was, some kind of secret Muslim.
In the ensuing months, there’s been an aggressive push to help people hear the truth. The Jeremiah Wright flap, which received blanket media coverage for weeks, proved that Obama attends a Christian church. Obama frequently emphasizes his Christian faith, and there are even ads on Christian radio stations about Obama’s Christian witness.
So, given these efforts, public confusion is bound to dissipate, right? Wrong. It’s actually getting worse.
From the latest national survey (.pdf) from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press:
“Now, thinking about Barack Obama’s religious beliefs… Do you happen to know what Barack Obama’s religion is? Is he Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, agnostic, or something else?”
Christian 57%
Muslim 12%
Jewish 1%
Something else 2%
Don’t know - Heard different things 10%
Don’t know - Haven’t heard enough 15%
Refused 3%
The number who mistakenly identified Obama as a Muslim was 12%. The number who made the same mistake in March was 10%. That’s obviously a very small increase, but isn’t it about time that number started going down?
Login or Register to post comments.
What's the margin of error? It looks like there are only ~1500 people, so this difference is statistically insignificant.
Jesus Christ. His religion really shouldn't matter. Having said that, how can the mouth-breathers still be confused about Obama's religious faith? He's said time and again he is a Christian.
Isn't it time that the "heard different things" and "haven't heard enough" option be zero + or - 3%?
Here is the latest Obama propaganda from the RNC:
If elected, Obama would be the first Arab-American President, not the first black President. Barack Hussein Obama is only 6.25% African. Barack Hussein Obama is not half black. Barack Hussein Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother's side and 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father's side. While Barack Hussein Obama's father was from Kenya, his father's family were Arabs. Barack Hussein Obama's father was only 12.5% African Negro and 87.5% Arab (his father's birth certificate even states he's Arab, not African Negro).
Wow! 1% think Obama is Jewish. As an official representative of Jews worldwide, I proudly accept his admission to the tribe.
As for the lying, adulterous, warmonger, John McCain, I can only say NOPE!
Jewish?
People are screwing around with this poll.
That's not surprising; maybe twice that percentage still supports Dohbya. And 60% cannot find their backsides on a map. And Saddam ordered up 9/11 and the skyjackers were Iraqi and they sneaked across the Mexican border. And Weather McVane is a maverick. And Jesus loves you.
"Don't know- too much misinformation" wasn't a choice?
This just shows how stupid people are.
I wonder how many of those people have no idea WHO Obama is.
Tremonius @ 7:
Uh, that percentage is much higher.
Dammit! I just wish we could elect a person who believes in the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Are we still on the Muslim thing?
Not without a Muslim condom.
Frybread @ 2:
Not only that, but they've been treated to wall-to-wall coverage (especially on Fox News) of one Rev. Jeremiah Wright for more than long enough to kill any idea that Obama could possibly be a Muslim. So which is it?
For every repug smear, a new skidmark appears.
Cal @ 6:
Thank god SOMEBODY'S doing something useful with it.
(And, at least the people that think he's Jewish will believe him when he says that he'll continue to support Israel, as opposed to the Republican rumor that's circulating about how he's going to invade the place, turn them all into slaves, and make Lewis Farakkhan their king. (Forcing them to build pyramids using bricks without straw).)
And the liberal blogosphere is baffled over Obama overcompensating for his christian faith, national security credentials, etc. Fact is, a considerable number of Americans are fucking nuts.
On the bright side, if it takes winning over people who are confused as to whether or not he's a muslim, and are really that devoid of any interest in pulling their heads out of their asses and actually turning on their brains or doing anything associated with thinking for themselves.... then we, as democrats, don't really deserve to hold the WH in the first place.
In other words, let's worry about more important things.
They don't need to feed me first.
I ain't into fricassed camels.
Hopefully Obama worships Bob & Connie
Barack and his wife seems to have taken their fashion tips.
Well, okay; just as long as he believes in SOME version of either The Easter Bunny or Santie Claus.
Statistically insig., but:
Christian 57%
Muslim 12%
Jewish 1%
Something else 2%
Don’t know - Heard different things 10%
Don’t know - Haven’t heard enough 15%
Refused 3%
the problem is not 12% but 22%. Those who have heard different things are part of the problem
Jo @ 11:
You f#ckers had your chance when Jerry Brown was running for the Democratic nomination and you blew it! It's too late to whine about it now.
The 12% don't really belive he's a Muslim. They just ain't going to vote for him and they'll say anything thet think is derogatory.
I wouldn't read any more into it. Besides, people that stupid don't envn know how to vote anyway.
Is Barack the Anti-Bob?
You'd have thought there were fewer fools in the world--but there weren't.
I find it encouraging that at least 25% will admit that they don't know. It takes a certain amount of humility to admit ignorance or uncertainty. Maybe it's a sign that people are turning away from the example that's been set for the last 7+ years. Just because you walk with a swagger doesn't mean you know where the hell you are, much less where you're going.
Shalom, Barack!
I still can't figure out why anybody would give a flying fuck about Barack's religion, although it would be nice if they got it right.
Indymac bank collapsed.
Guess it is not in your head afterall.
what is so hard to believe?
if DIEBOLD stole 4% of the vote, it still means that 46% of americans are stupid and/or hateful enough to vote for boosh.
yes! we are a fucked up country.
getalife @ 27:
stop whining!
Umm, it's not hard to figure out. To a lot of the idiot masses, Christianity is synonymous with white. They're suspicious of anyone not lily white, they're suspicious of anyone not Christian, so they'll naturally confuse the two. We live in a nation of idiots, people.
why care whether obama is muslim? he's not running to head the national church, he's running to be the chief executive and commander in chief of a secular state
yes, i know that the bigots care, and we want them to vote for obama (don't know how we are going to explain away his skin color, though), but i really think that we are better off in the long run if we stop pandering to ignorance and get our national debate back onto the constitutional track
obama's religion is irrelevant . . . period
orcas @ 4:
Got an actual source for this? I find it very odd indeed that the RNC would still use the word "Negro".
Pericles @ 15:
Well if 1% are willing to flat ass lie it stands to reason that a sizable # are freeping this poll.
No, because more then 12% of the population are Republicans or idiots or, most likely, both.
Those bigoted, biased, uninformed, stupid people on the far, far right are still sending
out the old, outdated, false info as to Obama's faith..and it is their attempt to sell
lies to those others whom are as equally ignorant/bigoted. If we think that the term
"swiftboating" in bad in the political arena, it has no comparision as to the kinds of
dirty and deceitful, underhanded lies are being disseminated via the Internet.
It's a sad day and a shame that soooo many people, like the 12 percent mentioned in
the recent survey, are so uninformed, but even worse it fact that the Internet is
being used by "lies that those lying liars tell."
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 29:
Yeah stop whining this happens at the end of every Republican two-term administration. This is a well planned and clever economic policy, that unfortunately always makes the Democrats look good cuz people get all psychological whiny and vote for Democrats instead of sticking with Republicans into the Republican inspired economic upturn. Just watch you will see. We should demand scandal within the financial sector every so many years just to provide the impetus for economy like that of the Clinton years. You bunch of whiny, bitchy mama's boys.
Righty McRedstate @ 20:
They didn't get the email yet.
On the previous thread, one commenter used Barak Hussein Obama 3-4 time in his rant. I didn't even think he rated a response.
Considering that, based on other polls, at least 10% of Americans believe that both dinosaurs lived millions of years ago and that the universe was created by god less than 10,000 years ago, it's not surprising that there's a considerable proportion who think he's both a Christian and a Muslim.
Barack is a contraction of the arabic word Mubarack which means 'blessed'.
Another more famous politician, the president of Eygypt is called Hosni Mubarak.
If I had not met the man I would definitely say Mubarack Hussein Obama was a muslim.
I shouldn't worry though, because Alcohol also has its root in arabic Al-Khol, and that fact hasn't stopped Americans imbibing it.
kai @ 32:
You find it odd? I don't.
People believe what they want to believe.
Ron @ 38:
It probably made the commenter bitter. ;)
kai @ 32:
More BS from Orcas@4???? 30 minutes have passed since you inquired as to "actual
source" and all we hear are the crickets chirpping..
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 43:
Yeah, damn right I'm bitter.
I heard he's a Buddhist.
Judging by some of the moronic emails that get forwarded to me by low information, geriatric and gullible relatives...can see how this myth has gained footing.
Bismarck @ 47:
"Hear, hear", I'm with you on that experience....and, not to be disrespectful of anyone's
residence, my relatives live in the Georgia/Alabama regions. Enough said?
Ron @ 45:
No no no. It made the commenter who used Barrack Hussein 3-4 times in a rant bitter because nobody responded. Of course you were bitter. I feel your bitterness.
doggiebobo @ 48:
Lose the relatives. ;0
Wouldn't want him to be a Muslim. I mean, the Christians are such model world citizens.
Whenever I check at 'Snopes' - the internet site devoted to determining the veracity of internet myths and urban legends - the 'Obama is a Muslim' myth is always one of the top two or three most e-mailed myths. 'Snopes' totally debunks it, as does just about every other reputable source, but, as you've shown, it continues to grow. I have to conclude that this is the result of a well-funded, very organized campaign in the tradition of the Swift-Boaters.
We like to think of some sort of edge that liberals have in using the internet. The campaigns of Dean in '04 and Obama in '08, are upheld as great examples of Democratic vision in using the internet as an instrument for grassroots organizing and fund raising. The Rovian conservative use of the internet as the perfect vehicle for anonymous smear campaigns may, however, be the internet's most devastating use in politics. Let's face it: a massive smear campaign can be mounted far more cheaply on the internet than by traditional methods; such a campaign is almost impossible to trace and; people tend to believe what they read on the internet far, far more than they should.
18% of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth 25% say that winning the lottery is part of their retirement plan. So we're not dealing with a real intelligent bunch here folks. Scary thing is a large portion cast there vote to the guy they'd like to drink beer with. I've drunk plenty of beer and let me tell you none of the people I drank with should be president.
My favorites are the "Don't know -- Haven't heard enough." I congratulate them on their regaining consciousness after spending at least the last year in a coma.
It's really amazing when you think about it: 15% of Americans have been in a coma for the past year and regained consciousness in time to respond to this poll. I wouldn't have thought more that 12% of Americans were comatose at any given time. Incredible!
oh really @ 54:
Maybe these people, 15% or 12% are the smart ones. They just do not watch the TV or the Internet and get no emails. Sometimes I am jealous of them.
Stupidity never dies....
it just takes a short, light nap.
doggiebobo @ 48:
My Dad, a 65 year old college grad from Portland OR, once forwarded me a chain e-mail about how the word SHIT is an acronym for 'Ship High In Transit' back from the old days when human waste was shipped by sail as cargo (for fertilizer) and the sailors feared getting it wet. I e-mailed my Dad back that the word 'shit' is related to the German word 'scheisse' and just who were these poor benighted people who needed to IMPORT human feces from abroad? For that matter who were the people exporting it, and just how profitable a business was THAT? And I don't even know German.
My Dad got the e-mail from his brother, who had been practicing law in Southern Oregon for over 40 years at that time. So it isn't just in Alabama and Georgia where otherwise intelligent people are turned into gullible saps by the internet.
I think the sadist thing about this is that it makes a difference to people, I thought there was supposed to be a separation of church and state in this country. HEHE LOL! Even the Obama supporters that sit here and say it's not true that he's a Muslim, are the same people that wouldn't vote for him if he was. As far as I'm concerned you're no different then the hateful people making up the smears. It's the same old my religion is better then yours. Go read some Leviticus it will make you proud to be a Christian.
How can it go down?
My mother who is a smart educated lady is now believing that MORE religion is good and that Muslims are trying to kill us. This is what the NEWS says. This is designed.
If I can't convince my mother that the TV is lying then I concede that mind control through the Idiot box is real and we are looking at something more sinister than just a dumb president.
doggiebobo @ 44:
Who cares his sources. Even if he is part Arab. There is nothing wrong with that. Many good people are Arab. Many people whom are also persecuted are Arabs too. So I'm glad Barak made it this far. Sympathy for Arabs is what the Military folks are trying to prevent.
Dodi Fayed was an Arab, and imagine if, in 1997 Princess Diana wasn't killed. And Princess Di had an Arab child and moved to Palestine with Dodi...
Now you know why she is now in a box.
The good news is that the wildly ignorant hillbillies who believe the "Muslim" thing would never vote for him anyway. Good riddance...
So some people mistake him for a moslem. I don't give a shit. Christians are no better than moslems anyway.
And what was the percentage who couldn't give a flying fuck what his religion is as long as he does the job he's paid for and defends the Constitution against all enemies both foreign and domestic?
Damn I wished I lived in a country that actually had seperation of church and state!
translation:
25% - I'm a dipshit and don't deserve to vote
Each and every one of those 12 percenters knows full well that Obama is a Christian.
They know it's a lie and they go along because deep in their hearts they just don't care.
God, things like this make me hate Americans. And while we're on the subject, Islam is no worse than Christianity or Judaism, just to be clear. All Abrahamic religions are very similar and very harmful.
i would love to meet the one percent that thinks hes jewish
lay odds that they are kkk members, or freepers, who believe that the jews run everything
bet they think mccain and bush are jewish too
Here's a couple of reasons why people make that mistake:
Sean Hannity
Bill Bennett
Laura Inghram
I have a forty minute commute to get to work in central Austin. Since we lost Air America here in central Texas... I spend a lot of time on the radio popping back and forth on the AM dial. Between these three INSANE RIGHTIE TALKERS, I hear a reference to "the Question of Obama's religion..." AT LEAST ONCE A DAY! THEY DRIVE FORWARD THE LIE EVERY DAY.
CowBoy Bob in Austin hit on something I heard recently about talk radio. The conclusion: in some areas where Obama did not do well during the primary, such was West Virginia, cable TV is not always available.
Talk radio channels tend to be much easier to get. In addition, people in the rural areas tend to drive a long distance for work, which means more exposure to talk radio.
There was a discussion about a law that deregulated radio stations, but I don't remember the details.
CowBoy Bob in Austin forgot Rush Limbaugh
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
The right wing nut jobs are sooooo desperate!!
Yea, the "he's a muslim" lie may be going around, but 12% is not a concern since they are no doubt in the 27% that are still behind Shrub!
And who gives a flying frak what they keep repeating like mindless parrots?!!
Does "the Muslim thing" really hurt Obama in the black community?
I saw my first:
defeat
Osama
Obama
bumpersticker this morning.
Isn't this just damn well great, we are still on this shit. I mean really I thought we were looking for a leader not someone's religious background. I wish people would give up this whole religion bs not like religion has done any good anyway. Still have problems around the globe and here and people are still whining about religion good F'in grief grow up leave this religion mess behind and start worrying about more important issues at hand. Some incompetent deity isn't going to do everything well not like he has done a thing anyway.
Politicians these days use a lot of religion talk,regardless of what religion..to win votes or attack their opponents.
Religions should be out of politics,as the Constitution said..but when you have politicians these days that did not do their homework and with no plans about the economy,health and with ignorance about world affairs when they decide to run ,then religion becomes a big asset for them to attract crowds..
It is sad..
It started to look as if we are electing preachers who would rather talk about the '10 commandments' rather than the economy...to win votes.
orcas @ 4:
More disgusting propaganda from a party with absolutely no chance of winning this election. Unfortunately, so many Americans are ignorant, uninformed, or misinformed. Thus, this stuff sells pretty well on Main Street.
RHM
There is talk radio which is sooo bad and divisive... full of hate and bile.
This misinformation is just like bullying and I don't for the life of me see the attraction.
The other day a man from WNIR in Akron OH was claiming "we need a typhoon right over Iran, or a meteorite to destroy them... solving all our problems". What the Hell?
So that these people keep the rumors of mis information alive is not surprising.
WHY do people listen to this stuff?
And my mother is ALSO watches Fox for her news. I told her it's FAUX News but she just stared blankly.
My father has no doubt Barak is muslim, yet he decries Rev Wright. WHAT?????
Most of my family (including in-laws) believe that he's a Muslim regardless of what Obama says. The problem is they're too racist to realize that they're racist. They'll come up with any excuse not to vote for him rather than acknowledge that they don't like the idea of a black man in office. Hopefully there's a lot more of "me" out there than "them". Or we'll be dealing with another four years of what we just had.
It's going to grow.
50 million idiots in this country voted for a war criminal.
44% of this country believes it's ok to torture.
We have a Congress that just made it legal for the government to spy on you. "So I guess it's not spying anymore,"
How long before we change our name to the United States of Fascism.
You should live in Kansas. Then you might perceive the incredibly high percentage of knuckle-dragging, drooling morons that populate this country. And, even though most of them are aware of how colossally stupid they are, it does not stop them from chomping at the bit to deliver their totally uninformed opinion. It seems they are actually proud of their profound ignorance. It emabrasses and saddens me to no end.
I% think he's Jewish?
I wonder how many think he's a scientologist.
I guess the Right wing-nutcases just hate Muslims. Why else are they habitually lying to their ignorant Reslug sheep?
It's partly because of nasty scum like Ann Coulter who continually feed the misconception.
I read an opinion piece she did recently in the Las Vegas Review Journal where she referred to him over and over as:
"B. Hussein Obama"
She then likened him to a communist. She knows what she's doing and it's the devil's work.
I'm outraged that walking crap like her are allowed a column in major newspapers at all. And we wonder why our government is so screwed up.
Cat @ 76:
With the decline of our education system and the rise of mainstream media, the art of critical thinking is disappearing. I don't feel sorry for Americans anymore. We have thrown away the best chance anyone has had to be an elightented society.
Most people would rather be ingnorant industrialized peasants. America gets what it deserves.
Actually, according to Islamic law, if a child is born to a Muslim father, then that child is a Muslim. (Same if a child is born to a Jewish mother, that child is a Jew.) So, Barack Obama's father had been born a Muslim - albeit a nonpracticing one - so, Barack Obama was born a Muslim as well. What he considers himself is irrelevant according to Islamic law. And if he took on another faith as an adult, then he is considered an apostate! So, the right thing to do would be to say "Yes, I was born a Muslim; but I decided to become a Christian." What would be so terrible saying that? There are Jews who convert to other religions (even though we Jews feel terrible about it; but what can we do? We used to put them in 'herem' - not talk to them - but we don't do that anymore) I think you all know what would happen if he were to do that.
Chaya @ 84:
Why should he have to? The whole argument is moronic. I can't wait for an atheist or agnostic or even a wican to become president. It would signal a move forward for all of us, even the religous folks.
Login or Register to post comments.