FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Obama is Christian, yet somehow it's a fact that seems up for debate these days - with a growing number of Americans saying he's Muslim.
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It's a false rumor that the president has been battling since he was a candidate, yet for many the issue is murkier than ever:
A new Pew Poll shows nearly one in five Americans believe Mr. Obama is a Muslim. That's up from one in 10 who felt that way last year.
Most of those who believe the president is Muslim are Republicans; but the number of Independents who think this way has grown significantly from last year. The number of people who are unsure about the president's religion is also higher - even among his supporters. Fewer than half of Democrats and African-Americans say that President Obama is Christian.
Part of the reason for this misinformation just may be comments like these: The Rev. Franklin Graham - son of the evangelist Billy Graham - told CNN, "I think the president's problem is that he was born a Muslim." Graham says "the seed of Islam" was passed through Mr. Obama's father; and although the president says he's accepted Jesus Christ, the Islamic world sees him as one of theirs.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also weighed in with this quote: "The president says he's a Christian. I take him at his word."
Critics argue a remark like this suggests the debate over the president's religion is legitimate.
The White House says that the president is Christian and he prays daily. They point out Mr. Obama has spoken extensively about his faith in the past; but making sure Americans know he's a devout Christian isn't his top priority. And they have a point - it's not like there's a shortage of serious problems facing this country.
Here’s my question to you: Does the president's religion really matter?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Pat writes:
To me, it does not matter what the president's religion is, and I do not understand the current brouhaha over this topic. I think it's a real shame that we have grown adults trying to diminish any religion and in particular the president, who stated long ago that he is a Christian. So, who is muddying the waters? And why?
Koopa writes:
Our founding traditions would be better served if the president's religion was kept private and personal and not subjected to the purview of theological gadflies and media voyeurs.
Phyllis writes:
Yes, it does matter. This country was founded on Christian values.
Bob writes:
No, no it should not. If you are born a citizen of the United States and have not been convicted of a felony, you can become President of the United States. Kennedy caught some flack for being Catholic. It is a hypocritical stance to take considering the election of an African-American man as president proved to the world that America can live up to its ideals of equality.
Jeff writes:
Nope. I don't care if he professes a particular faith at all, although I would prefer he be a moderate Muslim than an extremist Christian. I am looking for solid consistent leadership across the board. Haven't always seen that but I give him points for trying.
Sandy in California writes:
No. What matters is his lack of transparency. Everything is a guessing game with him. We are not sure of anything: his religion, his birthplace, his social ties, etc. As far as we know, he slept the through the 20 years he attended Rev. Wright's church since he never recalls any of the incendiary speeches he made about the U.S.
Dan in Virginia writes:
It's not surprising that 1 in 5 people believe this. I'm sure 1 in 5 Americans believe in Bigfoot, little green aliens, ESP, and the Loch Ness monster. What's really scary is that if he were Muslim, 4 of 5 people wouldn't vote for him for that reason alone. The president's religion shouldn't matter, but to the average voter it's issue #1.