Daily Kos/Research 2000 Poll of Self-Identified Republicans
 

Detailed Breakdown of the Poll Results

Commentary by the Poll's Initiator

Here are a few of my "favorites"
Do you believe Barack Obama wants the terrorists to win?

• Yes 24
• No 43
• Not Sure 33

Do you believe Barack Obama is a racist who hates White people?

• Yes 31
• No 36
• Not Sure 33

Should public school students be taught that the book of Genesis in the Bible explains how God created the world?

• Yes 77
• No 15
• Not Sure 8

Should contraceptive use be outlawed?

• Yes 31
• No 56
• Not Sure 13

Do you believe the birth control pill is abortion?

• Yes 34
• No 48
• Not Sure 18

The poll didn't give figures for religion, I think it would have been interesting to see how the contraceptive questions varied by religious franchise. I've always thought of Catholics as being vehemently opposed to birth control where as Protestants weren't particularly concerned about preventing a pregnancy in the first place.

Regarding the 3rd question you posted - I would probably answer yes to that myself. I don't have a problem with the bible being discussed in public schools. Knowledge of the bible is an important component to understanding a lot of other subjects, from history to literature. So as the question is posed, yes, I do think public schools should address what's in the bible.

I just don't want it taught as truth or a valid alternative to the theory of evolution.

Yeah, that seems like a poorly worded question. I also advocate teaching the Bible, as a source of founding myths for the big three mono-religions, as a necessary component for understanding literature from Shakespeare to Robert Heinlein, as a fascinating collection of highly diverse viewpoints (it's not really a book, it's a library), even in some cases as primary historical material. It's a rich resource, and much too easily dismissed by those who (understandably) lament what literalism has wrought. But it doesn't belong in science class, and it sure as heck shouldn't ever be presented as authoritative, holy or infallible in any public school, ever. (Though it would be great for civics classes to examine the repercussions of literalism and fundamentalism!)

I don't understand how the participants in this survey were (self) selected, but I hope this doesn't truly represent reality. If so, that's an unbelievable burden of public hysteria and ignorance that is going to be very hard to fight. Alas, the very fact that it was initiated by Daily Kos means that, valid or not, it will not be taken seriously by anyone on the right. I hope at least a few rational souls in the conservative wing will at least consider a gut check, though.

While I would ultimately prefer religion not be taught anywhere by anyone, I'm okay with Creationism being taught in either a theological or social studies course. It has absolutely no place in a science class or textbook though.

I do not read the third question as endorsing biblical literacy as a neutral concept. I read it as positing that children should be taught that the answer to the question of how the world came into being is found in the Book of Genesis.

Answer: no.

That's clearly the implication they wanted you to read into it, but as worded, I can't say no. Mostly, coming across that question, I'd probably just stop taking the survey as it would just highlight how biased and unproductive a survey it is.

As well as L. Ron Hubbard's theories on clams and the Piltdown Man in The History of Man? We need to be inclusive!

Of course, that opens the door for the Bhagavad Gita and the Koran ...

Ahh, let's just take a longer recess, kids!

Given how central the Judeo-Chrisitan origin myths are to so much Western music, art, literature, thought and so on, yes, there's no question they should be included in any comprehensive education in Western Civ and liberal arts. (Right alongside the Iliad and The Odyssey) And understanding the rest of the world requires at least some familiarity with the ideas in other holy texts. Hubbard's clams can be presented in the form of a delightful children's musical.

No, not sure, yes, no, no.

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Is this poll a pathetic attempt to paint Republicans as toothless hillbillies who keep their children home from school to operate backyard stills while they stand guard with automatic weapons waiting for them revenuers to come a knockin?

Yes.

I agree Sleepy. He who frames the questions wins the debate.

My answers would be no, *, yes, no, no.

The * on #2 is because that is a two part question. One can be a racist without hating the race in question.