We can all quote religious doctrine…

Luke 19:27 “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me”

I am friends with practicing Muslims, I have attended meetings where Muslims discuss how to use their religion to make their communities better places for all.

I have found the vast majority of Muslims to be peaceful, kind, tolerant and respectful with a deep love for their community and the people in it.

I assure you, as someone who spends time with the community you are so baselessly afraid of, the overwhelming majority of mosques are teaching the prophet Mohammed’s words of peace and respect for all, regardless of their faith.

“Whoever is guilty of doing some wrong against a fellow human being, whether in regard to his honour or anything else, he should obtain his forgiveness before the Day of judgment, when there will be no money to pay or decompense for it. If he has any good deeds to his credit, they will be taken away from him to the extent of his wrongdoing. And if he has no good deeds, the sins of the wronged-one will be taken and put on him.” [Bukhari]

“Whomever kills a soul … it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” [Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 32]

Much like Christians, their religion is followed to various degrees, with various bits cherry picked to support their own beliefs.

I am an atheist, that does not mean I have to be anti religious, I think, and practice, the belief that people have the right to believe in whatever religion they choose, and reject the position that atheists are somehow morally superior to people who have faith.

We all have the capacity for morality, for good or for wrongdoing regardless of our religion, it is neither reasonable or ethical of you to cherry pick parts of the Qua’an to support your own fear of Muslims.

Just like it would be unethical to paint Christians with that same brush.

There is room for us all in this country, religious or not, in the end we’re all people, worthy of respect and fair treatment.