There are people among us who believe in an all-powerful God that wants his human followers to kill anyone that insults their religion, even for offenses as simple as drawing a picture of his prophet. Although only a small minority of the world’s Muslims are violent radicals;  just a few terrorists can create havoc.

Today’s Americans and Europeans are unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of religious violence; but it was European Christians who fled persecution by government-approved religions and created American democracy.  Perhaps it was because they could not agree about religion, even among themselves, that our forefathers wrote the first amendment to our Constitution.  It promises our individual rights to religious belief (or unbelief); allows few limitations on the practice of religion; and prevents government preference for any religion.  It is unclear how we will deal with modern religious terrorism but it may be helpful to review our history.

Despite very ugly moments, ours is a history of religious tolerance.  Americans can be proud that we eventually resolve religious differences and maintain freedom of religion through our secular, constitutional government.

Most examples of American religious violence involve repression of minorities.   Mormons fled to Utah after being burned out of their Illinois homes.  Native American religious ceremonies were banned and children were forced to attend Christian schools on reservations.  Jews suffered many forms of discrimination and violence.  There were pitched battles between majority Protestants and Irish Catholic immigrants.

Our 21st Century challenge is something new.  Rather than persecution of a minority, we now face violence against the general public by a small minority of Muslims.  People who are willing to die in the process of killing others can make it difficult to preserve both freedom and safety.  Terrorism is easy in the modern world where international travel and communication are fast and efficient.  Here are a few thoughts about how we can best respond within our American constitution and  values.

No religion gets to enforce its beliefs through civil law.  Our freedoms have protected those who insulted Popes, Rabbis, and even Jesus.  We don’t hire religious police to enforce majority-approved limits on our freedoms.  Jews may not like it, but they peacefully tolerate radicals who deny the holocaust.  Christian conservatives object strongly but peacefully to same-sex  marriages.  Atheists oppose government supported religious activities without violence.  Muslims living in America must peacefully accept that Americans will not allow any religion to dictate social values to others.  Women may cover their heads or sport blue mohawks.  Anyone who wants to draw a picture of Mohammed or otherwise insult Islam (or Christianity) is free to do that.  While enjoying freedom here, Muslim Americans must also fulfill their responsibilities to protect others by reporting anyone known to be planning violence.

Pope Francis made a remark recently discouraging publication of cartoons of Mohammed.  Although I agree that we should be respectful of each other’s beliefs, protecting freedom of speech comes first.  An American method of discouraging non-violent insults is to make them irrelevant by ignoring them.  Complaining about insults rewards loudmouths and bullies rather than discouraging them.  Muslims living in western democracies will enjoy life more after learning that lesson.

Christians should acknowledge Islam as the world’s number two religion with nearly as many adherents as Christianity.  Non-believers, Hindus, and Buddhists are next in numbers.  At the request of students,  Duke University approved a weekly Muslim call to prayer from their chapel tower.  Duke Chapel facilities have been used by Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist students for many years.  Nevertheless,  Franklin Graham led a Christian Conservative backlash that persuaded the University to revoke the permission, a poor example of Christian hospitality.  Did it make Graham feel powerful?  Does he see his God as needing  protection from the prayers of a few college students; just as Islam’s God needs protection from cartoonists?

He has succeeded in isolating a peaceful Muslim student minority, possibly encouraging a few to explore the teachings of radicals rather than seeing Christians as fellow explorers on a spiritual journey.

Isolation and violence invite retribution along with repetition of dark moments from our history.  Religious freedom and tolerance are delicate and we should protect them.  They are our best hope for a peaceful future.