Let's simply start with not all Muslims are terrorists. Islam is not a religion of violence. I was reading an article and watching videos by Milo Yiannopoulos, where he presented the facts below as proof of why Islam is bad.
In 2015 the Center for Security Policy commissioned a poll of Muslims in America. It found that:
1. 30% of American Muslims believe it is legitimate to use violence against those that insult Islam
2. 25% of American Muslims said that violence against Americans can be justified as part of global jihad
3. 51% of American Muslims want to be allowed to be governed by Sharia Law
And here’s my personal favorite:
4. 33% said that sharia should take precedence over the constitution if they clashed
According to a Wenzel Strategies poll in 2012:
1. 58% of Muslim-Americans believe criticism of Islam or Muhammad is not protected free speech under the First Amendment
2. 45% believe that those who mock Islam should face criminal charges
3. 12% believe blaspheming against Islam should be punishable by death
Now we are going to do a little math and talk about why the conclusion simply does not add up. Bear with me, so if 30% think that violence is okay that means that 60% believe it is not okay. The majority thinks that violence should not be used. If 25% thinks that violence can be justified then 75% do not believe that it is justified. Lastly, if 12% believe that blasphemy against Islam should be punishable by death then 88% disagree. A good majority believe that Islam is a religion of peace and love and they practice that philosophy. While a radical few like with any religion, beliefs, policies and so on are on the extreme sides of things.
Now I want to address his "personal favorite" which states that "33% believe that Sharia law should take precedence over the constitution if they clashed." This means that 67% do not believe this. But let's go back to this whole idea of taking precedence. Mike Pence introduced himself as "a Christian, a Conservative and a Republican in that order." For me, that means his faith and beliefs comes before politics yet his audience applauded him and did not call him a terrorist. From this one could conclude if it was between the constitution and his religion, his religion would come first.
I think that as much as we like to say that church and state as separate, there are times when it intermingles. Thus, I think that religion classes should be offered and taken in High school. The more we learn about one another the more open and inclusive we can become.
There are radicals and extremists with any ideology. So then why are so many Muslim and Islamic people automatically categorized as terrorists?
