Study shows Americans want theocracy, not democracy
Rebecca Mahfouz
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Perspectives
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It seems that a frighteningly large number of Americans agree with George W. Bush's sentiment, stridently expressed in late 2005, that our Constitution is "just a G--damned piece of paper."
The First Amendment Center released the dismal results of its yearly "State of the First Amendment" survey last month, revealing that Americans' ignorance of their Constitution surpasses even their notorious ignorance of geography.
An astonishing 65 percent of those surveyed believe the founders intended America as a Christian nation, while 55 percent believe that the Constitution explicitly establishes America as a Christian nation. Fifty-eight percent think that teachers should be allowed to lead prayers in public school and a terrifying 50 percent believe the Bible should be taught as a factual text in public schools.
A small bright spot appeared among the disheartening results, as 97 percent said that the right to practice one's own religion was "essential." That tiny candle of hope was extinguished by the results of the next question, wherein just 56 percent agreed that the right to worship applies to all religious groups, meaning that a good number of the 97 percent who purport to believe in freedom of religion really mean freedom to practice their religion and no other.
As though any further proof were needed that we have failed miserably in the area of education, those surveyed seemed never to have been required to take a high school civics course. When they were asked to name the five freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution, just 3 percent were able to name the right to petition, 16 percent the freedoms of press and assembly, 19 percent freedom of religion and 64 percent freedom of speech.
One can cling to the belief that this survey is a fluke, that Americans can't possibly be so ill-informed of their essential liberties, especially given the increasing curtailment of those liberties. The results of the survey, however, have been fairly consistent over the past 10 years, exposing us for the hypocrites we are.
The First Amendment Center released the dismal results of its yearly "State of the First Amendment" survey last month, revealing that Americans' ignorance of their Constitution surpasses even their notorious ignorance of geography.
An astonishing 65 percent of those surveyed believe the founders intended America as a Christian nation, while 55 percent believe that the Constitution explicitly establishes America as a Christian nation. Fifty-eight percent think that teachers should be allowed to lead prayers in public school and a terrifying 50 percent believe the Bible should be taught as a factual text in public schools.
A small bright spot appeared among the disheartening results, as 97 percent said that the right to practice one's own religion was "essential." That tiny candle of hope was extinguished by the results of the next question, wherein just 56 percent agreed that the right to worship applies to all religious groups, meaning that a good number of the 97 percent who purport to believe in freedom of religion really mean freedom to practice their religion and no other.
As though any further proof were needed that we have failed miserably in the area of education, those surveyed seemed never to have been required to take a high school civics course. When they were asked to name the five freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution, just 3 percent were able to name the right to petition, 16 percent the freedoms of press and assembly, 19 percent freedom of religion and 64 percent freedom of speech.
One can cling to the belief that this survey is a fluke, that Americans can't possibly be so ill-informed of their essential liberties, especially given the increasing curtailment of those liberties. The results of the survey, however, have been fairly consistent over the past 10 years, exposing us for the hypocrites we are.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
TR Clancy
TR Clancy
posted 10/16/07 @ 6:39 PM EST
Ms. Mahfouz
Your putting words in the President's mouth based upon nothing but an urban legend, and your own prejudice. This alleged outburst was based on a single report, from a source who since repudiated it. (Continued…)
Rebecca
posted 10/16/07 @ 7:49 PM EST
Dear Republican dupe,
While I'm flattered that you find it worth your while to badger me, there are journalists far more influential upon whom to spew your frothy-lipped distortions. (Continued…)
Bigsibling
posted 10/16/07 @ 8:19 PM EST
Perhaps you should spend a minute and compare the definitions of "believe" and "want". They are not the same. One may believe the founding fathers intended to form a Christian nation, but that does not necessarily mean one wants a Christian nation. (Continued…)
Dawn Dodge
posted 10/16/07 @ 9:16 PM EST
Perhaps when reporting the results of your experimental survey on the 'fools',I believe you referred to them as, and discussing this great country, The United States of America where we all live, it might be wise not to speak for all of America. (Continued…)
Rebecca
posted 10/16/07 @ 10:15 PM EST
Obviously, bigsib and dawn, neither of you read the column with any degree of comprehension.
Dawn, did you even bother to read the column? This was not my own personal "experimental survey. (Continued…)
Axxel Knutson
posted 10/17/07 @ 2:58 AM EST
Rebecca, your title tells it all "...Americans want theocracy, not democracy." And this sentence too is on the mark as well. "Fifty-eight percent think that teachers should be allowed to lead prayers in public school and a terrifying 50 percent believe the Bible should be taught as a factual text in public schools. (Continued…)
Loren
posted 10/17/07 @ 9:59 AM EST
There are a number of factions with their own agenda's that tend to deliberately mislead people. However, anyone can go to NPR.ORG and get a pocket sized version of the Constitution - what it says, what it means - for $4. (Continued…)
tjestus
posted 10/18/07 @ 6:10 PM EST
Our Founders never intended us to have a democracy. They set out to create a republic. They studied every form of government known to them and determined that a democracy would not work. (Continued…)
Robert
posted 10/19/07 @ 3:27 PM EST
I would like to offer a few notes of clarification. But, before I begin, I offer a disclaimer. What I write below was based on a quick read of the survey. (Continued…)
Veli
posted 10/20/07 @ 9:20 AM EST
Man, don't you recognize good rhetorical flourishes when you read them? He was using the numbers to make a point and your putting them on a spreadsheet. (Continued…)
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