Anti-Muslim rhetoric is wrong, un-American

To the editor:

I am white. Norwegian. A Lutheran Christian.

If I committed a heinous terrorist act, killing innocent civilians, the press, the public and politicians would not call me a 'Lutheran terrorist.” And, there would be no assumption that people who share my religious faith and ethnicity would condone my action. No, I would just be labeled an ordinary coldblooded terrorist. Period!

Likewise, if members of the religious right kill a few doctors who perform abortions, they would not be called 'evangelical terrorists.” Right?

Yet, many of our law-abiding fellow Americans, who happen to be Muslim, are presumed to be aligned with a small number of jihadist terrorists who commit terrible violence in the name of the Muslim faith. This is truly a case of double standards. The anti-Muslim rhetoric associated with it is wrong, un-American and contrary to the religious beliefs of most Americans.

I believe Republican candidates, who spew this nonsense, denigrate our citizens and neighbors. In doing so, they mock the Constitution and American values. Clearly, they're not qualified to be president.

Norman Barnes

Hiawatha