Many have forgotten just how influential Muslims were in our history.

Between 1785 and 1815, the Islamic radicals (Barbary Pirates) of that era, had captured 700 Americans and 35 of our merchant ships, as an act of war against our newly- founded America.

Thomas Jefferson dutifully requested and studied a copy of the Quran, in order to know the enemy. He found the Quran justifies capturing, enslaving and killing any infidel who does not convert to Islam or pay the ransom, so all infidels are susceptible to the whims of Islam.

“From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli” (Libya). There was a 32-year war against the Islamic pirates, which only calmed by building a strong military to fend off the attacks. Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison all had to deal with Islamic conflicts, against the same radical ideology terrorizing the world today.

Many historians believe the few Muslims in early America were apostate Muslims from Africa, sold off to the Dutch traders by the radical Islamists, as they weren’t Muslim enough, so justified shipping off into slavery.

Although our rich Judeo-Christian heritage is permanently enshrined throughout our federal buildings, from the U.S. Capitol, Senate and House buildings, Washington and Lincoln monuments, National Archives, Supreme Court, to the Library of Congress statue of Moses holding the Ten Commandments shadowed by the painting called “Judea.”

Our Founders were wise to separate church and state, in order to pay homage to all religions, having escaped religious persecution themselves, never wanting Americans to suffer the same.

There are, however, some religious ideologies that conflict, which has existed for hundreds of years. Islamists abhor Christians, Jews and moderate Muslims.

God Bless America and all who suffer the brutality of Islamic Jihadists – now Paris.