"The most outspoken critics of him coming, and those that seemed to be the least tolerant, prominently displayed their Mormon background. So faculty at UVSC who are more for pluralism and open dialogue — especially out of state faculty — certainly had a negative view of the anti-Michael Moore critics, based on assumption that a democracy and open society should welcome differing perspectives, even if you don't agree."

He believes more moderate Latter-day Saints "are probably less out-spoken, which gives the general public a skewed perspective" of what believers think, both politically and otherwise.

University of Utah spokeswoman Coralee Alder said she was unable to find anyone at the U. willing to comment on the survey, or whether there is negativity toward Latter-day Saints among faculty there, as some have alleged in recent years.

Tobin said a 2002 study done by his institute to measure how the general public views people of different faiths and ethnicity showed that "56 percent of respondents said Mormons were unlike them, while 30 percent said Mormons were like them." The results were most strident among young people ages 18 to 34, 66 percent of whom said Mormons were unlike them.

"When I look at other religious groups — for all Americans, Mormons were down there (in percentages) with Muslims and with people who have no religion.

The two surveys together "pretty much confirm most Americans don't feel close to Mormons," Tobin said, adding that the Rev. Sharpton's comments earlier this week "reveal a larger reservoir of misconception and prejudice about Mormons than you have with what's going on among faculty."

With 33 percent of faculty — who are supposedly more well-informed and publicly persuasive — holding such unfavorable views, "you're getting into some pretty dark territory," Tobin said. "That's certainly worth looking at."

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