The fact that two-thirds of all Republicans support Trump’s idea to ban all Muslims from this country is chilling. Add to that the fact that other Republican candidates have suggested concentration camps, deportation of all Muslims, requiring them to wear identifying badges, shutting down or surveilling the mosques, and only letting Christians enter this country, and you get a very ugly and embarrassing picture of a country that is supposed to stand for freedom and equality!

Islam is the second largest and most diverse religion in the world. One in every four people is Muslim. They come in all races and nationalities —two-thirds being Asian. Should we judge 1.6 billion Muslims by the actions of their extreme violent fringe? It would be the same as judging all white Christians by the actions of the KKK; the attack on the black church, movie theater, Sandy Hook and Columbine; the Timothy McVeigh bombing; or the murders of abortion doctors.

Republican rhetoric has fanned the flames of bigotry and fear putting our Muslim citizens at great risk — citizens who are a vital part of our society, serving in Congress, our military, as our doctors, teachers, police and firemen. Some died in service to their country. Now they may die as a consequence of inflammatory words.

It’s already started with the beating of an 8-year-old Muslim girl, the burning and defacing of mosques, the terrorizing of anyone who appears to be Muslim. Imagine the fear they must feel for their families! They do not deserve this treatment in their own country!

ISIS doesn’t represent Islam! When we say they do we legitimize them, making them stronger. This isn’t a Muslim/Christian “Holy War” but a struggle of both religions to control their radical fringes who distort the faiths for their own vile ends.