Oklahoma is not exactly known as friendly territory for Islam, but residents say Muslims should have the freedom to worship as they choose.
In the most recent Oklahoma Poll, almost 80 percent said Muslims should enjoy the same religious freedoms as other Americans, and only 15 percent disagreed.
The poll, which surveyed 404 likely voters statewide, also found that more than half — 54 percent — viewed Islam unfavorably, and 35 percent were very unfavorably disposed toward it. Those percentages rose above 60 percent for Republicans and those who identified themselves as “very conservative,” and among married women.
Knowing a Muslim did not improve opinions of the religion. If anything, those who said they knew at least one Muslim were less likely to approve of Islam.
And yet, despite their disapproval, Oklahomans are accepting of Muslims in their midst.
“If you read the Constitution, the Constitution plainly mentions any person can worship freely, no matter whether they are Muslim, Catholic, Buddhist, whatever,” said Jerry Lane of Muskogee.
Lane said he has “read up some” on Islam and thinks “it’s like any religion — there are some who will go to an extreme.”
“To me, every person has a right to practice their religion the way they see fit.” In all cases, Lane said, “there’s got to be some common sense on some things.”
L.C. Goodrich of Whitesboro disagreed. “I’ll be blunt with you,” he said. “Of course I’m Christian. But my ancestors settled this country. They went through a lot of hardships building this country. I’m sure they would frown on some things. I feel obligated to stand up for them.
“Muslims don’t care for me, and I don’t care for them. Ship ‘em back.”
Poll respondents in the Oklahoma City metro area were somewhat more positive in their assessment of Islam than those in Tulsa and the rest of the state. The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, is based in Oklahoma City and has been active in defending Muslims in community activities.
Paula Haight of Broken Arrow, who said she has a “somewhat positive” view of Islam, said she believes Americans are “afraid of religious fanatics in the Middle East, and we’ve allowed it to color feelings about people here.”
“I don’t know a great deal (about Islam),” she said, “but I do feel people should have the right to practice their religion. Even Protestants are different from one another. When our forefathers said ‘freedom of religion,’ they meant it.
“As long as they’re law-abiding citizens, they should be allowed to practice their religion the same as (anyone).”