An increasing number of Americans believe that Islam is more likely than other religions to promote violence among its followers, according to a new survey that examined religion, politics, gay marriages and other issues likely to affect the 2004 election.
Almost half of those surveyed June 24-July 8 by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press -- 44 percent -- said they believe Islam encourages violence, an increase from 24 percent in March 2002.
White evangelical Christians were more likely to say Islam promotes violence among its believers. The number who disagreed dropped from 51 percent in March 2002 to 41 percent.
A slight majority of those surveyed -- 51 percent -- said they have a favorable view of Muslim Americans, basically unchanged.
Almost half in the poll, 49 percent, believe that a significant portion of Muslims around the world hold anti-American views, an increase from 36 percent who thought that was true last year.
The Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life conducted the poll of 2,002 adults June 24-July 8. It has an error margin of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, larger for subgroups.
Religious divisions over several issues could play a significant role in the 2004 campaign, the survey suggested, and a potentially volatile issue is gay marriage.