My immediate response would be YES!   I realize that in today’s politically correct, tolerant world, that brands me as Islamophobic.   I disagree, but if that is the brand you want to use, that is your choice.  I believe that my assertion is that it is not only a reasonable request but a moral one.  Everyone should condemn terrorism regardless of its source or root!

A few years ago, I was disturbed when an American Muslim, Rana Elmir, who was the deputy director of the ACLU of Michigan, declared “emphatically” that she would not condemn jihadist terrorism.  The foundation for that was “because I am Muslim.” 

She argued that she would not condemn the terrorism that was being perpetuated by psychopaths, whom she said were misrepresenting her religion.   In her attempt to defend her position, she drew comparisons to Dylan Storm Roof’s attack on a Black church in South Carolina, the Planned Parenthood shootings, and the slaughter of moviegoers in Colorado or Louisiana.   Her expressed view was that if she were to condemn the jihadist, she would be admitting her own guilt.   I found her argument weak on many fronts and misguided.

That kind of mindset reaches for comparisons to justify the atrocities of terrorism.  All terrorism should be soundly condemned, regardless of who or what group perpetrates it!   The ludicrous idea that you cannot condemn acts of terrorism by those following the same religions as you is beyond ridiculous. 

When an act of terrorism or senseless violence occurs at the hands of anyone claiming they have a mandate from their god and holy book to do so, it should elicit the swift and immediate condemnation of all followers of that religion.   

If anyone commits an act of terror while professing to be a Christian and claiming that God ordered them to do so, I will immediately condemn that act.  I will call it what it is, terrorism and a blatantly false interpretation of the Bible.   Christians have united across political and ideological lines to condemn senseless violence because the clear teaching of the Bible does not support a caliphate where Christians are commanded to kill, behead, maim, and mutilate anyone not converting to Christianity. 

In today’s politically charged world, the hypocrisy is readily visible.  For example, when there is a mass shooting, regardless of whether the shooter claims some moral basis for their actions, Christians are not asked to condemn the terrorism, but the weapon of choice used.   On the other hand, when there is an act of Muslim terrorism or jihadism, the weapon is never mentioned. 

Instead of offering the same condemnation of the weapon and launching an effort to “ban” or “restrict” various firearms, there is a concerted attempt to declare that the Islamic terrorists are not Islamic or Muslim but rather misguided individuals.   If someone non-Muslim commits an act of terror, there is no mention or consideration of them being misguided, but the focus is on the weapon, not the individual.  In both cases, I assert that it is not the weapon but the heart that causes the problem.

In my research of the followers of the Islamic caliphate and perpetrators of jihadism and terrorism, they cite the consistent and repeated passages of their book instructing them to do what they do.  Conversely, the Bible does not offer the same command but focuses on love, forgiveness, and redemption. 

Therefore, I ask, “Should Muslims condemn Islamic terrorism?”  My answer is that it is not only not wrong but reasonable to ask the so-called moderate Muslims to openly condemn jihad.  The fact that it is rare to find a Muslim willing to condemn Islamic terrorism suggests a need to further examine the so-called religion of peace in its core teachings.  Terrorism should be condemned regardless of its ideological source.

I cannot imagine Christian leaders or Christians not openly condemning any group who claimed to be following the Bible to murder, maim, rape, pillage, and beheading those they considered “apostates.”   It seems that many Muslims live in fear of offering such condemnation.   Fearful of the caliphate. 

It would seem logical to me that if any Muslim truly believed Islam was a religion of peace, they would openly and immediately step forward and condemn jihadism and terrorism committed in the name of Islam.  Many polls indicate that many so-called moderate Muslims not only refuse to condemn the actions of Hamas, ISIS, and other terrorist groups but believe they are right and desire Sharia Law wherever they reside to supersede the Laws of that Land.

Terrorism is a genuine threat in our present world, whether we acknowledge it or not.    Numerous terrorist groups and nations have openly declared their desire and intent to destroy America and Israel.   They have proven that they will carry out their threats if allowed to operate unimpeded.

We err gravely if we make excuses for an attempt to disassociate the ideological and religious from the jihadists.   We should be asking what drives them to do what they do rather than suggesting that anyone openly critical of their actions is somehow phobic.  Tragically, the focus and blame are frequently pointed in the wrong direction. 

I focus on Islamic terrorism because it is the most prevalent in today’s world.  Therefore, until Muslims unitedly stand against the Islamic caliphate and condemn the jihad and terror, we should not assume or adopt the view that the jihadists are radicals but fundamentalists.

I pray that we will wake up before it is too late.   Let me conclude by saying, “I pray for all people and desire that all people come to the Light of God’s love, mercy, and grace.”   I readily acknowledge there are many Muslims who do not engage in violence or terror.  Yet, in those seemingly peaceable communities, some of the atrocities committed against women, children, and others are unthinkable in what is called a religion of peace.   Terrorism is evil, no matter its ideological or religious base!

God bless you, and God bless America!