A Scary Number Of Americans Don’t Think Muslims Or Atheists Have First Amendment Rights

[Lakhota]

Yes, the U.S. Constitution guarantees First Amendment protections for Muslims, atheists and all religious groups.

Let’s get the facts straight.

Nearly a quarter of Americans ― 22 percent ― either don’t know or don’t believe that U.S. Muslims are granted the same constitutional protections as other citizens. Roughly 20 percent don’t know or don’t think that atheists are protected under the First Amendment.

These are among the findings of a new study by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, released ahead of the Sept. 17 Constitution Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the U.S. Constitution’s signing in 1787.

The survey asked respondents whether they thought it was accurate to say that U.S. citizens who are Muslims have the same rights as all other citizens. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed said it was very accurate or somewhat accurate, while 18 percent said it was very or somewhat inaccurate. Four percent said they didn’t know.

On the same question about U.S. atheists, 79 percent said it was very accurate or somewhat accurate, and 15 percent said it was very or somewhat inaccurate. Five percent said they didn’t know.

The annual Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey polled 1,013 U.S. adults about the government, the First Amendment and constitutional protections. This year marked the first time the survey included the questions about Muslims and atheists. The survey didn’t ask respondents about their knowledge of protections granted to Christians or other religious groups.

But it isn’t just the constitutional rights of Muslims and atheists that Americans are unclear on. Many Americans are highly misinformed about basic constitutional provisions, including what the First Amendment protects and even how the U.S. government is organized.

Fifty-three percent of Americans incorrectly think that undocumented immigrants aren’t afforded rights under the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the Supreme Court ruled on that issue in the 1886 decision, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, declaring that noncitizens were included in the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.

Just 26 percent of Americans can name all three branches of government ― down considerably from 38 percent in 2011, when APPC first included this question on the survey.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents were unable to name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment. Just under half of those surveyed named freedom of speech as a right guaranteed by the First Amendment.

But far fewer could name the other First Amendment rights. Fifteen percent of respondents named freedom of religion; 14 percent identified freedom of the press; 10 percent named the right of assembly; and just three percent said the right to petition the government.

The First Amendment states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.​

More: A Scary Number Of Americans Don't Think Muslims Or Atheists Have First Amendment Rights

I agree! However, even many who may think that Muslims or Atheists actually do have First Amendment rights - they would like to deny them those rights.

 

[WillowTree]

Findings by Annenberg? Wasn'that founded by obummer's anarchistbomber friend?

 

[Kondor3]

Perhaps when Muslim-dominated countries reciprocate by granting non-Muslims the same rights that Muslims have here, somebody here will actually give two $hits.

 

[whitehall]

If you try hard enough you can make 20% of polling data mean anything. The same 20% probably can't name a single Founding Father or tell us what the 4th of July means aside from the fireworks. Thank you federal education system. Since we are supporting approximately ten million illegal aliens you could probably find 20% of people polled who can't understand the questions and answer si when prompted.. Back in 2016 Annenberg found "11 out of 12 people who thought Hillary could do the job"

 

[occupied]

A scary number of Americans are just plain stupid inbred redneck dolts.

 

[Peach]

Did the survey make it clear the Muslims in question were citizens? As much as I differ with atheists, the results are scary.

 

[Kondor3]

A scary number of Americans are just plain stupid inbred redneck dolts.

Such 'deplorable' invective is why they now control the Oval Office, the Senate, the House, SCOTUS, and a majority of Governorships and State legislatures... and you don't.

 

[whitehall]

A scary number of democrats (maybe 100%) would most likely agree that FDR was right when he issued an executive order that authorized the arrest of American citizens without due process (what the hell is due process?) based on their ethnicity. Pop history is a quirky thing.

 

[bodecea]

Perhaps when Muslim-dominated countries reciprocate by granting non-Muslims the same rights that Muslims have here, somebody here will actually give two $hits.

So we don't have to provide our own citizens with their Constitutional rights because OTHER countries don't provide Constitutional rights? Is that what you are asserting?

 

[occupied]

If you try hard enough you can make 20% of polling data mean anything. The same 20% probably can't name a single Founding Father or tell us what the 4th of July means aside from the fireworks. Thank you federal education system. Since we are supporting approximately ten million illegal aliens you could probably find 20% of people polled who can't understand the questions and answer si when prompted.. Back in 2016 Annenberg found "11 out of 12 people who thought Hillary could do the job"

I had civics class the same as anyone and I learned it because it was interesting to me but I didn't learn calculus because I had no use for it. Quit telling kids that they have no place in politics or that there is nothing we can do to change things and maybe they will pay attention to civics. Thing is, telling kids that they can effect change and empower themselves by the vote is not at all popular a narrative in conservative circles. Some see it as blatant liberal indoctrination. Blame your dead-end ideology for America's political illiteracy, dumbing down the populace serves your party.

 

[Darkwind]

Of course they have First Amendment rights. Just like the Nazis and Antifa pricks.

 

[HappyJoy]

Perhaps when Muslim-dominated countries reciprocate by granting non-Muslims the same rights that Muslims have here, somebody here will actually give two $hits.

In other words, tear up the constitution into little squares and wipe your ass with it.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

I'd be wiiling to bet that 20% was made up largely of the millennial crowd.

Ever see those morons try to answer civic questions?

 

[HappyJoy]

I'd be wiiling to bet that 20% was made up largely of the millennial crowd.

Ever see those morons try to answer civic questions?

I was kind of thinking that 20% has a tiki torch fetish.

 

[NYcarbineer]

A scary number of democrats (maybe 100%) would most likely agree that FDR was right when he issued an executive order that authorized the arrest of American citizens without due process (what the hell is due process?) based on their ethnicity. Pop history is a quirky thing.

lolol, conservative darling Michelle Malkin wrote a book defending the Japanese internment.

Shut up, idiot.

 

[Frankeneinstein]

Yes, the U.S. Constitution guarantees First Amendment protections for Muslims, atheists and all religious groups.

Let’s get the facts straight.

Nearly a quarter of Americans ― 22 percent ― either don’t know or don’t believe that U.S. Muslims are granted the same constitutional protections as other citizens. Roughly 20 percent don’t know or don’t think that atheists are protected under the First Amendment.

These are among the findings of a new study by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, released ahead of the Sept. 17 Constitution Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the U.S. Constitution’s signing in 1787.

The survey asked respondents whether they thought it was accurate to say that U.S. citizens who are Muslims have the same rights as all other citizens. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed said it was very accurate or somewhat accurate, while 18 percent said it was very or somewhat inaccurate. Four percent said they didn’t know.

On the same question about U.S. atheists, 79 percent said it was very accurate or somewhat accurate, and 15 percent said it was very or somewhat inaccurate. Five percent said they didn’t know.

The annual Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey polled 1,013 U.S. adults about the government, the First Amendment and constitutional protections. This year marked the first time the survey included the questions about Muslims and atheists. The survey didn’t ask respondents about their knowledge of protections granted to Christians or other religious groups.

But it isn’t just the constitutional rights of Muslims and atheists that Americans are unclear on. Many Americans are highly misinformed about basic constitutional provisions, including what the First Amendment protects and even how the U.S. government is organized.

Fifty-three percent of Americans incorrectly think that undocumented immigrants aren’t afforded rights under the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the Supreme Court ruled on that issue in the 1886 decision, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, declaring that noncitizens were included in the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.

Just 26 percent of Americans can name all three branches of government ― down considerably from 38 percent in 2011, when APPC first included this question on the survey.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents were unable to name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment. Just under half of those surveyed named freedom of speech as a right guaranteed by the First Amendment.

But far fewer could name the other First Amendment rights. Fifteen percent of respondents named freedom of religion; 14 percent identified freedom of the press; 10 percent named the right of assembly; and just three percent said the right to petition the government.

The First Amendment states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.​

More: A Scary Number Of Americans Don't Think Muslims Or Atheists Have First Amendment Rights

I agree! However, even many who may think that Muslims or Atheists actually do have First Amendment rights - they would like to deny them those rights.

Hi rosie, don't suppose you see any correlation between this and a liberal education do ya? not sure why you needed to post what or why you think Americans would deny Muslims their rights but lets see if you are consistent...would you deny any Americans their second amendment rights? would you defend a Muslims right to bear arms? have you ever defended anyones right to bear arms? were any of these questions asked in that slanted survey?

For my part, muslims are most certainly guaranteed freedom of religion under our constitution, as is everyone, in fact everyone is guaranteed every right in the constitution including bearing arms, can't just cherry pick the constitution and then expect anyone to believe you care about anyones rights, in fact it only proves you want it as a convenient weapon against Americans...with that said rosie, should congress pass any laws abridging the rights of Americans to bear arms, tell us what you think rosie...yes or no will do

 

[Frankeneinstein]

I agree! However, even many who may think that Muslims or Atheists actually do have First Amendment rights - they would like to deny them those rights.

There are overwhelmingly more liberals trying to deny Americans their constitutional rights than any other group...

 

[BluesLegend]

A scary number of Americans 1/3rd can't name even one of the three branches of government thanks to the Dem run school system.

 

[BluesLegend]

I agree! However, even many who may think that Muslims or Atheists actually do have First Amendment rights - they would like to deny them those rights.

There are overwhelmingly more liberals trying to deny Americans their constitutional rights than any other group...

Liberals LOATH the constitution. They abuse it when they can and undermine it when it gets in the way of their intolerant socialist agenda.

 

[easyt65]

Liberals protect Atheists' and Muslims' Rights while constantly attacking Christians and the Christian faith...perhaps the OP should consider that more...