Two-thirds of American Protestant pastors believe Islam is a "dangerous" religion, according to a new survey from by LifeWay Research, a Southern Baptist-affiliated research group.

The survey of more than 1,000 Protestant clergy found that 45 percent strongly agree with the statement "I believe Islam is a dangerous religion" and another 21 percent agree somewhat with it.

Evangelical pastors were more likely to agree with the statement than mainline Protestant pastors--77 to 47 percent. Likewise, pastors with a bachelor's degree or less education are more likely to strongly agree than those with a master's degree--64 percent to 37 percent.

Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, said American Protestant pastors’ agreement that Islam is dangerous could speak to various issues, however, "in one sense, Protestant pastors are a competing religion, so we should not be completely surprised by their concerns about Islam."

The LifeWay Research study, entitled "Protestant Pastors' Reaction to a Statement on Islam," found six statistically significant differences in the belief about Islam statement among pastors:

– Mainline denomination pastors are less likely than evangelicals to say Islam is "a dangerous religion." While 77 percent of evangelical pastors either somewhat or strongly agree Islam is dangerous, only 44 percent of mainline pastors feel the same way, and 38 percent strongly disagree.

– More educated pastors are less likely to agree than those with less education. While 64 percent of pastors with a bachelor's degree or less strongly agree Islam is dangerous, only 37 percent with a master's degree or more feel the same way, and 25 percent of those strongly disagree.

– The majority of pastors affiliated with the Democratic Party are more likely to strongly disagree than Republicans or Independents. While 61 percent of Republicans and 40 percent of Independents strongly agree Islam is dangerous, only 16 percent of Democrats feel the same way, and 52 percent of Democrats strongly disagree.

– Older pastors are more likely to strongly agree than any other age group. While overall agreement differs little by age, 58 percent of pastors age 65 and older strongly agree about the danger of Islam, contrasted with 42 percent of pastors ages 50-64, and 44 percent of pastors younger than 50.

– Rural and smaller city pastors are more likely to agree than pastors in large cities and suburbs. A full 51 percent of rural pastors and 47 percent of small-city pastors agree that Islam is dangerous, while 37 percent of suburban pastors and 39 percent of large-city pastors feel the same way.

– Politically conservative pastors stood in starkest contrast with politically moderate and liberal pastors. Among very conservative pastors, 78 percent strongly agree about the danger of Islam and 55 percent of conservative pastors feel the same way, contrasted with 69 percent of liberal or very liberal pastors and 38 percent of moderates who strongly disagree.

The results of the telephone survey were based on a random sample of 1,002 senior pastors taken in October 2008 and had an overall margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.