Feeling Terror
Fear of terrorism has made many Americans willing to curtail rights and sacrifice basic freedoms, according to a national survey of 715 respondents prepared by Erik C. Nisbet and James Shanahan of Cornell University for a December 2004 report.
Percent of respondents who think the federal government should:
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Have more power to monitor Internet activities: 47
Indefinitely detain suspected terrorists: 63
Outlaw some activities even if constitutionally protected: 36
Percent who say the media should not:
Cover protests: 33
Report criticisms of the government: 31
ATTITUDES TOWARD ISLAM: “Islam promotes violence.”
Percent who agree: 47
Percent of highly religious Christians who agree: 65
“Muslim-Americans should be forced to register their whereabouts.”
Percent who agree: 27
Among highly religious Christians: 42
“Mosques should be closely monitored.”
Percent who agree: 26
Among highly religious Christians: 34
SOURCE: Media & Society Research Group, Cornell University. Analyses involving religion included data only from Christians, agnostics and atheists. Degree of religiosity was based on self-identification, church attendance, and beliefs about Israel and a literal interpretation of the Bible.