Americans overwhelmingly agree that the United States “was founded on the idea of religious freedom for everyone, including religious groups that are unpopular,” a new Brookings report says, but significant numbers view Muslims with some mistrust.
Although 88 percent agree that the country stands for religious freedom, 47 percent say Islam and American principals are incompatible, according to the Brookings survey. Forty-six percent say they would be uncomfortable having a mosque built near their homes, and 41 percent say they would be uncomfortable with a Muslim elementary school teacher.
On another subject, the survey found 56 percent of Americans support immigration reform, while 41 percent oppose it. But Those who oppose reform tend to feel more strongly about the issue than supporters.