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Abstract

Racial profiling has been a contentious topic in recent years. However, little is known about the attitudes of Americans toward this practice. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, profiling on individuals of Arab and Muslim backgrounds has been on the rise. The author examined how religious Americans are responding to this form of racial discrimination. Using data from a national survey taken in October 2001, the author concludes that Protestants, Catholics, and Jewish individuals were more likely to support racial profiling compared to nonreligious individuals. The author proposes that these individuals are faced with competing moral demands and tactically support this law enforcement practice. In addition, race, knowing a Muslim personally, political ideology, age, and education have significant association with attitudes toward racial profiling.

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Conditional Morality?

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