(CNN) - A proposed mosque to be built two blocks from the World Trade Center has little support nationwide, a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll suggests.
According to the new survey out Wednesday, nearly 70 percent of all Americans oppose the controversial plan to build the mosque just blocks away from the solemn site in lower Manhattan while just 29 percent favor the construction.
Broken down by party affiliation, 54 percent of Democrats oppose the plans while 82 percent of Republicans disapprove. Meanwhile, 70 percent of independents said they are against the proposal.
The poll also showed opposition did not vary widely by age.
"Support for the controversial project is slightly higher among younger Americans than older Americans, but even among those under the age of 50, six in ten oppose the plan," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
Plans to build the $100 million, 13-story 'Cordoba House' three blocks from the site of the attacks on September 11, 2001 have sparked an emotional debate throughout the city. The developer, Sharif El-Gamal, describes the project as an "Islamic community center" that will include a 500-seat performing arts center, a lecture hall, an exhibition space, a swimming pool, a gym, a culinary school, a restaurant and a prayer space for Muslims.
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
USA = freedom of religion and separation between Church and State. So much for the Constitution. It's not like building a Church in Mecca. NYC is the most diverse city in the world. Get over it fear-mongers.
What the libs don't want you to know is that there are already over 100 Mosques in NYC alone.
I doubt that at any Mosque you would hear as much hate as you would on a typical Sunday at Trinity.
I think that if Muslims were serious about being part of the solution, part of the community, be American, they would back down from building this mosque near Ground Zero since it feels like a slap in the face. Their actions demonstrate that Muslims are only concerned with Muslims, not sure they even see themselves as Americans even if born in the U.S. and as part of their community.
Hope it does not get built. if it does, i will enjoy going in and flaunting my homosexuality in that den of tolerance.
On the other hand, if you want to make sure there's never another attack on the World Trade Center, put the mosque AT Ground Zero.
Problem solved.
Anybody care to join my protest against a Christian church being built near the Oklahoma City building that Christian Timothy McVeigh bombed?
No?
Hypocrites.
My god, another stupid, insipid CNN poll. When will you people ever learn. Quit trying to make news and just report it. Your sample is too small to make statements of authority. Get rid of your loser pollsters, whoa learned their craft in 3rd grade, and hire some credible reporters.
NO NO Ben. I can remember all the rest of the presidents and the vice presidents, which includes your dad. If you would tell the truth President Obama is Not the first to be the best but he is better than you. because he don't bash people he just tell the truth.
Not only that Ben you are a WHITE PERSON and President Obama is A BLACK President. Don't hide behind your racist act.
YOUR Daddy DAN was one of the worst Vice President and Nixon is one of the worst President who was impeached.
So much for religious tolerance...
How sad...
Overwhelming the people reject the idea so that means the dems and Obama administration will support it.
It's obvious that it doesn't matter what the people want...
Again Here We Have HypocriCNN! Trying To Make Something That's A State Of New York And New York City Issue Into Something That's Not Its Business! Nor Any Pollsters! Nor Any Poll Participants (Unless Their From New York City And State)!
How about this, let them build it, force them to use Union Contractors, New York City building inspectors and hire all illegal labor. It is a sure fire way to get even with them, the cost will triple, the bureaucracy will cripple the time line and then we can fine the crap out of them for using illegal labor. This is a win for America, in the end it will be built to substandard conditions where upon final inspection it can be determined unsafe and then torn down...Allah be praised.
it would be a fair estimate then that 70% of Americans have some degree of racial bias. Bravo to those that are standing up to a common and obviously popular hatred in the US.
This is an issue for New Yorkers, not the rest of the country. What ever happened to letting local decisions be made by the locals? It seems to me that the people who took the brunt of the 9/11 terrorism are the only ones who should decide what is done in their city.
How about NO religious buildings anywhere near it? Not Muslim, Baptist, Catholic, Atheist, anything...yes, we are based on freedom of religion, but just coming out and saying "No religious structure of any kind will be built in or around Ground Zero" would probably go over a lot better then being selective.
How about we just stop bulding churches and build hospitals, schools, libraries, research facilities...etc instead? When will we as a nation grow up and realize you cannot be an adult if you insist on having imaginary friends?
Ben don't you have some kids to rent for your next add?
I see he's just as smart as his father, they both forget major things.
No mosque then no churches within the same radius.
Finally something we can all agree on. Muslims are the new gays.
just shows the phase of hate, intolerance, racism that this nation is passing thru, thanks largely to the far right religious zealots, wing nuts, neo cons, the likes of Tea Partiers & their backers in the main stream politics.
They are not aware that by opposing this project or maligning Islam the religion of almost 1.5 billion people on this planet, they are playing right into the hands of those handful of terrorists that we are fighting in Afghanistan & Iraq. That in this manner they are in fact strengthening the hands of those terrorists against our forces.
This is exactly what the terrorists want us to do so that they can portray a battle between religions & recruit more people to their cause in the name of religion.
Hope we wake up to this reality.
We do not need another mosque for the Muslims to use as a gathering place to build a voluntary army to combat the USA. To build this would be a complete disgrace to the peope who have losttheir lives in 9/11. We must be loco to even contemplate this.....
It's private property. The landmark status move is fine but the ruling better be consistent with previous landmark status decisions. People's opinions are fine, but the simple fact is, they have a right to build what they want (zoning laws permitting) on their own property. Sore feelings are not a valid reason to tell someone that they can't build something.
They're idiots. And not New Yorkers obviously. It is not "sacred ground", this community center is 2 blocks away, and to deny it based on 9/11 is an egregious nullification of the First Amendment (Freedom of Religion - remember that?)
What the heck is the matter with Americans? Is more than half of this country insane or stupid or both? Really, I don't know this nation anymore. It used to be a good place. Now it's filled with self-absorbed morons apparently.
Thanks for the PDF document which shows how the questions was phrased. Now can these participants be asked if they actually know anything about the project? The poll doesn't break down how many people understand what is actually being built, how or why. Because of this vagueness there's no way to gauge if people are saying this under mistaken beliefs of what the project is about or if they do know the facts and still hate the idea. I would believe that once people understand the situation (as many New Yorkers do that have already come out in favor of the project), they will wonder why we want to limit religious freedom in our country by opposing this.
Would they be opposing a Christian church or a Jewish synagog? If not, then it's religious persecution, plain and simple.
My vote is to ask the New Yorkers. What do they want?
What is the point? It feels like a Slap in the face.
I still remember every second of that horrifying day and this just doesn't feel right.
Build it where you want but not in Ground Zero or near Ground Zero, not the best way to heal people.
CNN please track the funding for this project, don't you claim to have the best team them do your job and trace the funding.
I guess I'm an old fashioned capitalist, but if someone has the desire and the means, then they should be able to build a building, as long as it meets code, anywhere they want without the government interfering with them. But I'm an old fashioned Republican, and I can't seem to turn that belief on and off with the political climate.
It's a sad moment indeed when the ideals that were once so rudimentary in your country have been usurped by fear and loathing. After 9/11, the biggest mistake your political leaders made was reacting in the manner in which the terrorist had hoped they would. And now, when once again America has the opportunity to following the high road, many of those in your country continue to be unable to see past their own noses. It's hogh time the world see's America for what it once was and can be again, a country of understanding, compassion and tolerance.
Throughout history, the Islam religion has built their Mosques on the holy ground of conquered peoples. This is what this Mosque is to them – a monument to terrorism and a total disrespect of all who died on 9/11 at the hands of the very people building and funding this mosque. They are also the ones who danced in their streets and rejoiced as our towers burned and our people died.
Only in America are we stupid enough to allow this. This is where all the liberalism and political correctness come back to bite you – we are being taken advantage of again. And here we are fighting for their rights while they laugh at us and plot to backstab us again.
If all you media people would stop calling it a mosque instead of what it really is ( a community center with a mosque in it ) maybe less people would be respond to such fear-mongering. zYou are no better than Fox when you put misleading headlines like this to generate a reaction CNN. Shame on you.
to me having a mosque near ground zero woudlbe similar to erecting a bill board close to the Alfred P. Murrah Fed Building site
saying "April 19, 1995 Timothy McVeigh was here"
Who cares what kind of support it has nationally?
I though the thing was to go up in New York City? The thoughts and comments from people like Sarah Palin, Rush Limpbaugh and the rest are meaningless. These clowns despise NYC and their opinions are irrelevant.
Let 'em build it...hopefully someone will blow it up.
The lack of outrage expressed by the Muslim community over the recent slaughter of Christian aid workers in Afghanistan tells me "the religion of peace" has some work to do in regard to acceptance of other religious groups. I see absolutely no reason to defer to Muslim sensitivities in the location of the proposed mosque near Ground Zero.
It would make sense for Bloomberg and his team to revisit this decision making. There is not shame in that. The people have spoken...the awesome responsiblity of those in leadership is to honor the will of the people.
This is a sacred site...
Opinions don't matter. The Constitution matters.
Why not let JAPAN built a Budist Temple at Pearl Harbor?
There's a church closer to the WTC site and nobody complains.
Oh wait, Christianity is our supposed "National Religion". I guess hypocrisy is OK if Jesus says so.
Atleast we know that 54 percent of democrats have a set. Thats more than I originally thought.
We are not at war with Islam...the foundation of this country is based on freedoms that allow Americans to worship any where anytime. To oppose this Center is to say out loud we have a problem with Muslims and we hae Islam and are at war with Islam. The 9/11 attackers were Muslim all Muslims are not terrorists...come on people this is what makes thie nation the greatest in the history of the world!
America is what it is because of diversity and represents hope to all people. As it should be. This is true because of the founding fathers roots in judeochristian values. If they had been muslim, then this country would not embrace others from differing backgrounds. This is proven. To argue with this fact is to embrace political correctness as a religion in itself. This being said, we have an enemy that considers us to be in a holy war. It doesn't matter that our side ignores this, it is what it is. If we had let the Japanese build a large Pagoda in view of Pearl Harbor while we were still at war, we would only suggest that we were giving in or just outright weak. The Koran is clear about its position on infidels. A monument to the Koran in literal clear view of this travesty is a sign of submissive or contemptous leadership. Or should I say just another sign. Pick a side. They have.
The majority does not get to vote on "Bill of Rights" Issues! You may not like other's personal decisions regarding Inter-racial marriage, race inter-action in the military (a majority at that time, did not want blacks and jews serving equally in the military) or where people can drink water...All of these issues have been settled law for some time....soon, sexual preferences will be too. If you do not like it, DON'T do it but you may not usurp anothers choice!
well don't be surprised if there is some sort of retaliation in reagards to this
This only shows that 70 percent of the American people either do not understand the Constitution (specifically the 1st amendment), OR they choose to ignore it when it is unpopular or different from their views.
How long till we start sanctioning other religious bodies because we dont agree with them? Should we outlaw Catholics? Mormons? Jews? Baptists? Hindus? Buddhists?
FACT FROM THIS ARTICLE: 82 percent of people who identify themselves as Republican are blatantly treading on the constitution, and show their disregard the principles that make this nation great.
I weep for our future.
You know, it's really a freekin tragedy that more people don't understand that popular opinion does not determine constitutionality and how we apply our laws. It's really exceedingly simple. They own the property, so they get to do whatever the heck they want with it as long as they comply with all applicable land use regulations...and anyone who doesn't like it can grab a number and get in line to be the next person whose constitutionally protected rights to equal treatment and property ownership get trampled. The only reason this has become a big story is because demogogue d-bags are using it as a political wedge issue, which automatically makes it a controversy the "news" media will sensationalize for ratings to up their advertising revenue...even if that means damaging society by treating the ignorant, bigotted nonsense coming out of peoples' mouths with kid gloves and pretending it has merit.
Next they'll whine about their fake fear that freedom of religion is under attack and then they'll attack religious freedoms ....no .... wait ..... ?
Don't make a bit of difference to a liberal, that is why we are now paying for Obozocare and the porkulus project during this summer of prosperity. Rewards to the unions, radical islamists and other friends of Hussein Obozo.
That's why the Constitution doesn't allow us to discriminate against people based in their religion.
The Founding Fathers knew that there would be times when the majority would seek to oppress the minority due to the inflamed passions of the times.
My own Christian denomination was oppressed in Europe, and that's why my ancestors came to America.
It would be the height of hypocrisy for me, or for any American with a similar history, to deny the same protections to others that our own ancestors sought in coming here.
What's going to happen now, that the Imam of this proposed Ground Zero mosque has left the U.S. to travel to the Middle East? I believe Ramadam is coming up, and perhaps that is why he went to the Middle East...but we also know the types conspiracies that take place there too! Can we not rescind the OK to build this mosque at Ground Zero??
These people who seek to erect the mosque have no empathy for the suffering of those who lost loved ones in the 9-11 attacks made "in the name of Allah." Instead they want to rub all our faces in it and obstinately build it anyway. It is a provocative, mean-spirited gesture despite the bullcr*p PR excuse of building bridges of understanding. This will be a festering sore all around if they succeed.
That's one of the beauties of the constitution – it prevents the majority from abusing of rights of the minorites.
No matter how you feel about this viscerally, they have the right to build this on the land they own, as long as it is not violating zoning laws.
It's a private property issue.
Must mean our dear president is going to be coming out "slamming," demeaning and criticizing the majority of Americans soon. He is totally against Americans, especiall the ones that don't do drugs, work, pay taxes and assume personal responsibility for their lives. He hates America and his wife said she is not proud of our country, I guess that why she took our money and spent it in Spain.
Why do you have to pick a place right next to ground zero when you have so many other places to build one....we have other important things to worry about....economy, jobs, global warming, education, healthcare, etc, etc, etc
Is this really needed now? Shame on the insensitive people!!
I am not against build mosque but don’t build the mosque near ground zero.
There are many place they can build mosque
I'm most certainly not one for violence. But I must confess my sinfulness when I say that if I heard someone came along and demolished this mosque, I would not be upset. This mosque signifies a victory over an infidel in the Muslim religion, and I do not see the USA as an infidel (yet) nor defeated (far from it). It is premature at best and in very poor taste, and every American Muslim should realize just how insulting this is to the other citizens of this nation.
Abba Father, forgive me for my sinful thoughts, I do not wish harm on another human being for all mankind comes from You, and you told followers of Your Son to show the unbelievers Your love, but I am having real difficulty with this mosque...I ask for your wisdom in this matter. In Jesus' name, amen.
This is not surprising. Most Americans understand that this is not a backlash against Muslims as a group, but merely an objection to the insensitivity of this Imam and his backers wanting to put it in this particular spot. If this mosque / cultural center's purpose is exactly what they say it is, they would not object ot putting it somehwere else. But their determination to put it there is understandably raising questions about their true motivation.
If a mosque is opposed, all religious buildings should likewise be banned. It was religious fundamentalism and terrorism that made that location ground zero to begin with. It is also interesting to note that a strip club opened about the same distance from the "sacred" sod of ground zero without this vocal opposition.
It is a sad commentary on the condition of America that so many people are opposed to this community center aka mosque being built near the former towers. There were probably people of the Muslim faith working in the destroyed offices who died that day also. I remember my husband coming home from work and saying that he had to silence some of his coworkers who were saying nasty things about Muslims. They were not aware that one of their coworkers is a Muslim and she was very hurt by their comments. I feel this could be a step toward healing and understanding. I don't view it as disgraceful to those who died that day.
I would oppose the bulding of it... not only would it be disrepectful to the Americans who lost family members in 9/11 but also to Americans in general... To build this Mosque or "center" so close to the area where America felt so much despair...would be wrong and unfeeling.
Furthermore, I feel as if it wouldnt be very safe. Even though Muslims as a people did not attack the world trade canter and towers... the people who did it where Muslim and looked like them were... so it would be crazy to think that after this was built...that New Yorkers, or americans period would be happy with it and leave it alone.. this could cause alot of destruction... riots, bombings of the building....anything! This should not be allowed to happen...
Build it somewhere else.
Well, guess what? Poll-schmoll. ...We as Americans need to realize that we don't get to vote on everything. It's private property. The owners can do whatever they want within the law. And last I checked, it wasn't illegal to build a mosque, or be muslim, for that matter. Deal with it, people.
Wouldn't it be interesting to put things like "freedom of religion" to a vote in the new America? I suppose with this logic...building a Christian church near the Oklahoma City federal buildinh should not be allowed since the bomber was a Christian???When did Americans become so fearful of freedom?
Just because uninformed people in a survey are listening to bigoted comments by the right wing doesn't mean this center shouldn't be built.
Do people know anything about the imam of this mosque? He runs an interfaith center and has denounced Islamic terrorism time and time again. He's in favor of equal treatment between genders. In short, he's Al Queda's worst nightmare - a moderate Muslim. This is exactly the kind of interfaith exchange this country needs, not the idiotic remarks about "refudiating" the decision.
We have freedom of religion in this country, and we need to keep it that way.
I would love to know WHY those polled oppose the building of the mosque/community center.
My opinion? Absolute ignorance on the part of those polled!
I dont fear muslims,none will ever defeat the Truth.We werent given the spirit of fear,but were given the spirit of love and truth.
Islam may have "the right" to build there – but that doesn't make it right: This smacks of the same "in your face" attitude displayed by those Imans several years ago ... loud prayers, switching seats, seat belt extensions they didn't need ... just playing with the American system of laws. Like the Muslim father who murdered his daughter for becoming "too westernized" .... claiming "freedom of religion"!
The reality of this issue is –1. it is not on ground zero. It is nearby. 2. We do have freedom of religion in this country. 3. Moslems were also at work in the Twin Towers on that fateful day. They shed their innocent blood and died just like the Jewish, Christian and people from other religions. The Twin Towers Moslem families are mourning too. Some people have suggested that they also build other churches representing other religious faiths as well as building a Mosque–they already are preparing to do that. The people of NYC are supporting the right to build this building. Unless you are totally out of touch with the real world, it is a "building". It will be under close scrutiny from the time the first brick is placed until the end of time. The hate and mean spirit that we are seeing from some people should not represent any religious faith. You can't condemn every member of the Moslem faith because of a small group of extremists. If you do, then remember that Hitler considered himself a Christian, after he killed millions of people do we condemn all Christians? Remember God is Love. What we are seeing right now from some people is HATE. Hate got us into this situation in the first place. Hate will destroy you whatever your religion is.
Muslims want to show respect and build bridges to peace then man up and build elsewhere! This is islams silent slap in our face and will certainly cause further divisiveness if these people pursue their goal of aggitating the majority just because they can. Very disheartening!
Is it two blocks or three blocks? Does it really matter? Next time a christian group says they want to build a church near my house, can I object? Either the U.S. practices religious tolerance and religious freedom or it doesn't. Personally, I say do away with all them, religion has started more wars than anything else in history.
What the HELL does a Mosque being built near where the world trade center was have to do with a bunch of Muslim extreme whack-jobs who flew the planes into the world trade center?
Just because a right wing whack-job Christian Tim McVeigh blew up a government building we don't condemn Churches being built next to government buildings!!!!
But then again it is OK to be bigoted towards Muslims, isn't it, you dumb morons? Do you even have a clue in what stupidity you let guide your life???
You people are incredibly stupid, you really are.
Wow this generation of Americans really needs a refresher course on the constitution.
– legal for the federal government to require people to have insurance because it serves the public good.
– Illegal for the majority to decide whether another group can get married
– Illegal for the majority to disallow a minority religion from building a place of worship.
The fact that they wanted to build a mosque isn't bad in and of itself. I would have hoped that this group of Muslims would have understand why no one wants a mosque so close. Many people see the radical, hate filled, and death worshiping terrorists as representing the whole religion when they don't.
Opposing the mosque is not the same as wanting the government to stop it. Do Americans want the Federal Government to stop it. That , it seems to me, would be a great expansion of the powers of that government. What grounds would the government use? Is there some law that allows some part of our structure of governments, any of them – local, state or fed – to stop the mosque? Does that even matter to those who oppose it?
Let freedom reign, like it or not.
Mosque at Ground Zero? Are you KIDDING me? This is an insult to the victims of 9-11 and America! Only in America could something like this happen.
I honesty believe that our President, Mr. Obama disliked Americans. Dislikes America. Has no pride in American values or is able to understand ,the compassion needed in regard of the Ground Zero Mosque. Then the Federal government is sent a Imam who Supports Hamas to tell other Muslin nations about America. He has not spoken well about America in the past, why would he now? IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE, TO AMERICANS! I question President Obama's judgement in this case!
The key wording here is "blocks away" – This mosque is not on the site as so many reports say Nor is it "at the site" as others have reported.
If true facts were given us by news outlets, Americans might have a better understanding aobu wht goes on. Instead we mus endure 24/7 tabloid treportig so that ratings and profits continue to sore.
It's not the Muslims ruinng america- its the media.
I wonder what all those opposed to the mosque would think if someone wanted to build a church near the site of the Oklahoma City bombing. Now before you get your knickers in a twist, think about it. The 9/11 bombers were not real Muslims, any more than dearly departed Timothy was a Christian. 9/11 had nothing to do with Islam and everything to do about regional political conflict and America's extremely lop-sided role in that conflict. Islam is not about terrorism, destruction, etc. It is a peaceful religion. And it is far more inclusive than Christianity ever will be. People who denigrate Islam clearly know nothing about it.
We're supposed to be a nation that prides itself on religious tolerance, even though there is scant evidence of late to support that pride. Where is that tolerance for our fellow citizens (and yes, we're talking about American citizens).
Others have stated that we should allow the Mosque as soon as Saudi Arabia allows churches. This argument makes no sense at all. Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with any of this. And do we really want to compare ourselves to that barbaric dictatorship? Taking cues from them for how we act as a country is certainly nothing I would hope for.
And for the record, I'm a Christian (with many Muslim friends).
Those claiming an Islamic Center is insensitive are buying into the stereotype that the extremists want them to. That was the point of 9/11. An anticipated effect would be to polarize society. And now people are buying into it and basically surrendering the intellectual and emotional playing field to terrorists. Bin Laden wanted an over-reaction from everyone, forcing all Muslims to side with the extremists against Western society; and many people in our country are falling victim to it. I am not endorsing its' placement there, but the arguments from the side saying it shouldn't be there are just playing into the extremists hands.
If they can not build a center of worship, then there is no such thing as religious freedom in this country and freedom of religious is dead. Next we will be telling Jews and Roman Catholics they can not build buildings. The attack is working. American as we knew it is breaking down.
But, but, but it is just the racists that don't support this trophy of the "religion of peace".......
It looks like the WTC and they want bto open it on 9-11, nah, no reason to think this is a trophy of some kind even though they have DONE IT BEFORE.
Bloomberg and you gutless progressives, keep your heads buried in the sand, we don't mind a mosque, JUST NOT HERE.
Bloomberg 2012 – ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...
Unbelievable that only 54% of Democrats oppose the NYC mosque. Unbelievable.
Go ahead and build it, just keep in mind that fair is fair, and we feel the same way about your mosque as you feel about Isreal, including the right for it to exist.
At your peril.......
The mosque will be built regardless of what the majority wants; so much for the majority rules.
I'm guessing that the 30% in favor are the Tea Partiers, since they are so "Pro Constitution" and wouldn't dare let anyone deny someone of their first amendment right.
I am so ashamed of this country. And please save the "if you don't love it . . leave it" responses. Here's MY response to that, unless you don't abide by the U.S. Constitution, YOU should leave this country. The right to peaceful assembly is protected under the 1st amendment. Unless of course, you believe that the 1st amendment should be selectively applied. If so, then you are the most hypocritical of all U.S. citizens. Has it occurred to you that your right to assemble and protest the mosque's construction is protected under the SAME amendment as someone else's right to erect it?
well, then the over-whelming majority is a bunch of bigots.
I agree with Greg Gutfeld's idea for the area. If this mosque is allowed, purely for the sake of tolerance, then there should be a gay bar opened next door that will cater to Muslim homosexual men. All in the sake of tolerance, you see.