MUSLIMS ARE NOT OUR ENEMIES
This dangerous spirit moving through parts of this country, a spirit that feeds on fear and survives on suspicion—where did it come from if not from the pits of hell? It tells ordinary Americans that Muslim families living beside them are somehow enemies within. It whispers that the doctor performing surgery, the farmer working the fields, the mechanic repairing engines, or the young man serving in the military cannot truly belong because their religion is different.
But that spirit is not the Spirit of Christ. Jesus taught us to love our neighbor, not profile him. He told us that even the stranger among us bears the image of God and must be treated with dignity (Luke 10:29-37). America was never built on forced religious conformity. It was built on liberty, where people could worship freely without fear of persecution. Do you love the country or not?
Extremists exist in every religion, every ideology, and every race. History proves this plainly. Some men have murdered in the name of Islam. Others have murdered under banners claiming Christianity, nationalism, atheism, and political revolution.
The existence of extremists does not justify demonizing millions of ordinary people who simply want to raise children, pay bills, and live in peace.
Elijah once thought he alone remained faithful, but God reminded him that reality was larger than fear and rumor (1 Kings 19:14-18).
Fear distorts vision. Hatred simplifies human beings into caricatures. And when a society begins teaching its people to despise entire groups, it slowly poisons its own soul.
I know Muslims personally. Do you? I have met kind men and women who love their families deeply, who work hard, who pray sincerely according to their understanding of God, and who would never harm anyone.
They coach little league teams, run small businesses, practice medicine, and serve in our armed forces. They mourn their dead and celebrate their children just like anyone else.
The Bible says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). You cannot obey that command while nurturing suspicion toward every person who wears a hijab or bears an Arabic name.
Yes, let’s be clear. Disagreeing with Islam as a religion is not hatred. Christians and Muslims profoundly disagree about Jesus, salvation, revelation, and the nature of God. That is a serious theological discussion and Christians should not compromise the gospel of Christ (John 14:6; Galatians 1:8-9).
But theological disagreement is not a license for cultural hostility or political fearmongering. The apostles preached Christ boldly in pagan societies without calling for hatred against every unbeliever around them. They reasoned, persuaded, preached, and loved even those who opposed them (Acts 17:22-34).
What troubles me deeply is how political voices keep feeding Americans a steady diet of fear.
Certain politicians—Tuberville, Trump—and media personalities speak as if immigrants, Muslims, and foreigners are existential threats to civilization itself. Fear is politically useful because frightened people are easier to manipulate.
But the Word of God repeatedly warns against stirring up strife and bearing false witness against neighbors (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Christians especially should resist propaganda that trains the heart to despise whole categories of people.
Once hatred becomes normalized, society begins unraveling from within. Every generation that embraced scapegoating eventually paid a terrible moral price for it.
America is a free country. Muslims have every right to live here as much as Christians, Jews, atheists, or anyone else under the Constitution.
Religious liberty only works if it applies to people we disagree with. Otherwise it is not liberty at all.
Jesus said that whatever we do to others, we ultimately do before God Himself (Matthew 25:40). We should defend the rights and dignity of our neighbors not because we agree with every belief they hold, but because they are human beings made by God.
The church must not become captive to political rage. Christ did not command us to conquer our neighbors through fear. He commanded us to love them, speak truthfully to them, and bear witness to the kingdom of God with grace and conviction.
The Muslim family down the street is not the enemy.
Hatred is the enemy.
Fear is the enemy.
Dehumanization is the enemy.
And Christians should know better than to surrender their hearts to those things.
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Father, give us hearts filled with truth and compassion. Keep us from hatred, suspicion, and fear. Teach us to love our neighbors while standing firmly for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Help us see people not as political weapons or cultural threats, but as human beings created in Your image. Give our nation wisdom, restraint, and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BDD
