American Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes Toward Judaism, Islam and Other Faiths
Percentage of U.S. adults who say there is discrimination against each group in our society (Pew, March 1-7, 2021)
Republican | Democrat Lean Democrat | Total | |
Muslims | 67% | 88% | 78% |
Jews | 63% | 73% | 68% |
Evangelical Christians | 61% | 29% | 44% |
We’d like to get your feelings toward a number of groups on a “feeling thermometer.” A rating of zero degrees means you feel as cold and negative as possible. A rating of 100 degrees means you feel as warm and positive as possible. You would rate the group at 50 degrees if you don’t feel particularly positive or negative toward the group. (Pew, 2014, 2017, February 4-19, 2019)
2014 | 2017 | 2019 | |
Jews | 63% | 67% | 63% |
Catholics | 62% | 66% | 60% |
Mainline Protestants | -- | 65% | 60% |
Buddhists | 53% | 60% | 57% |
Evangelical Christians | 61% | 61% | 56% |
Hindus | 50% | 58% | 55% |
Mormons | 48% | 54% | 51% |
Atheists | 41% | 50% | 49% |
Muslims | 40% | 48% | 49% |
Would you be more or less likely to vote for a presidential candidate in the 2016 election who...? (Pew, January 2016)
More Likely | Less Likely | Wouldn't Matter | |
Is an Evangelical Christian | 22% | 20% | 55% |
Is Catholic | 16% | 8% | 75% |
Is Jewish | 8% | 10% | 80% |
Is Muslim | 3% | 42% | 53% |
Is Mormon | 5% | 23% | 69% |
Doesn't believe in God | 6% | 51% | 41% |
What is your attitude about the Jewish people? (Note: this survey contains an oversample of self-identified Evangelical Christians) (University of Maryland, December 2015)
Republican | Independent | Democrat | Total | |
Very favorable | 53% | 41% | 49% | 49% |
Somewhat favorable | 41% | 36% | 39% | 39% |
Somewhat unfavorable | 5% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
Very unfavorable | 1% | 17% | 4% | 5% |
Don't know/refuse to answer | <1% | 3% | 2% | 2% |
What is your attitude about the Jewish religion? (Note: this survey contains an oversample of self-identified Evangelical Christians) (University of Maryland, December 2015)
Republican | Independent | Democrat | Total | |
Very favorable | 37% | 34% | 40% | 38% |
Somewhat favorable | 48% | 28% | 43% | 43% |
Somewhat unfavorable | 11% | 15% | 9% | 11% |
Very unfavorable | 3% | 9% | 6% | 7% |
Don't know/refuse to answer | 1% | 5% | 2% | 2% |
What is your attitude about the Muslim people? (Note: this survey contains an oversample of self-identified Evangelical Christians) (University of Maryland, December 2015)
Republican | Independent | Democrat | Total | |
Very favorable | 11% | 19% | 27% | 19% |
Somewhat favorable | 30% | 24% | 40% | 34% |
Somewhat unfavorable | 34% | 19% | 20% | 26% |
Very unfavorable | 24% | 34% | 11% | 20% |
Don't know/refuse to answer | 1% | 5% | 2% | 2% |
What is your attitude about the Muslim religion? (Note: this survey contains an oversample of self-identified Evangelical Christians) (University of Maryland, December 2015)
Republican | Independent | Democrat | Total | |
Very favorable | 9% | 18% | 17% | 14% |
Somewhat favorable | 18% | 10% | 34% | 24% |
Somewhat unfavorable | 27% | 23% | 32% | 29% |
Very unfavorable | 46% | 45% | 15% | 32% |
Don't know/refuse to answer | <1% | 5% | 2% | 2% |
In your opinion is ISIS a reflection of true Islam? (Rasmussen Reports, November 20, 2015)
Yes, ISIS is a reflection of true Islam | 35% |
No, ISIS is not a reflection of true Islam | 46% |
Not sure/refused | 19% |
Do you regard radical Islam as a serious threat to the United States? (Rasmussen Reports, November 20, 2015)
Yes, radical Islam is a serious threat | 92% |
No, radical Islam is not a serious threat | 8% |
Is the United States at war with radical Islamic terrorism? (Rasmussen Reports, November 20, 2015)
Yes, we are at war with radical Islamic terrorism | 60% |
No, we are not at war with radical Islamic terrorism | 24% |
Not sure/refused | 16% |
Do you think that there is a global conflict between the Muslim world and Western civilization? (Rasmussen Reports, July 30, 2014)
Yes, there is a global conflict between the Muslim world and the West | 59% |
No, there is no global conflict between the Muslim world and the West | 17% |
I am not sure if there is a global conflict between the Muslim world and the West | 24% |
Would you say you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of Islam? (Washington Post-ABC News, March 2-5, 2006)
Favorable | 43% |
Unfavorable | 46% |
No Opinion | 11% |
Do you think mainstream Islam encourages violence against non-Muslims, or is it a peaceful religion? (Washington Post-ABC News, March 2-5, 2006)
Encourages violence | 33% |
Peaceful religion | 54% |
No Opinion | 13% |
Compared with other religions, do you think there are more violent extremists within Islam, fewer, or about the same number as in other religions? (Washington Post-ABC News, March 2-5, 2006)
More | 58% |
Same | 34% |
Fewer | 3% |
No Opinion | 5% |