There's a telling parenthetical remark in Sam Stein's report on the latest Newsweek poll. In discussing the "already-heated debate raging around the persistent rumors that Obama is a closeted Muslim," Stein - or an editor - felt it necessary to add "(he's not)." In a time when a quarter of the population believes the President is a Muslim, perhaps such asides should appear in headlines instead of parentheses.
It ought not to matter whether a President is a Muslim or a Lutheran or an atheist. The Constitution wisely says the question can't even be asked officially. But the lies about Barack Obama's supposedly secret religious views and alleged allegiance to the Ummah have been fed to the public so relentlessly that even 17 percent of Democrats answered "definitely true" or "probably true" to Newsweek's question: "Some people have alleged that Barack Obama sympathizes with the goals of Islamic fundamentalists who want to impose Islamic law around the world. From what you know about Obama, what is your opinion of these allegations?" Among independents, 27 percent took those positions, while 52 percent of Republicans did.
That's right. More than half the self-identified members of the Grand Old Party think Obama is definitely or probably on the side of fundamentalist Muslims. No doubt in league with Osama bin Laden. Or perhaps he's even Osama's cousin or brother. Who knows what's on the "real" birth certificate? And what about that baptismal certificate?
While Newsweek asked seven questions about Muslims in its 24-question survey, a key inquiry was nowhere to be found: "Do you know what Islamic law is?" Honest answers to that would probably tally in single digits.
At its core, the belief that Barack Obama is a Muslim or favors Muslims is all part of sometimes subtle, sometimes brazen propaganda spreading the lie that Muslims cannot be trusted, stigmatizing them permanently. Two dark pathologies work in tandem in this effort. Hatred, based on race and religion, and a toxic, willful know-nothingism. Together, they tramp along to the drumbeat of the Rush Limbaughs, Michael Savages, Glenn Becks and their demagogic wannabes throughout the media. These political carnies cannot call the President the word they would like to use, so they hint with a venomous wink and a nod that he is other, not really American, not really one of "us," not acceptable. The "Muslim" label works effectively to that end, reinforcing tribal identity. It's a perfect match for the "socialist" label, something 55 percent of Americans believe about Obama.
The consequences of this campaign of cranking up religious rhetoric aren't difficult to imagine. We see them every day. Obviously, it's not just the President who gets trashed in this demonizing of Muslims. For example, while 72 percent of Americans believe - according to the Newsweek poll - that Muslims have the right to build mosques anywhere, when they choose to exercise that right, their opponents are quick to respond. In other words, Americans have rights, but they shouldn’t use them.
Even if the President were not a target of lies about his beliefs, we should engage in a national conversation about the demonization of Muslims. But the lack of self-awareness by so many Americans combined with their eager scarfing of a never-ending diet of sinister nonsense raise tremendous barriers against making such a conversation productive. The place to start is with our neighbors.