These events have really solidified an idea for me that I've been mulling for a while: I don't think I'm in favor of religion as a protected class[1]. Islam be

These events have really solidified an idea for me that I've been mulling for a while: I don't think I'm in favor of religion as a protected class[1]. Islam believes in inerrancy of the Qur'an. The Qur'an encourages violence. The faces of organized Islam in the west engage in apologetics and argue that this isn't so, but anyone can read this for themselves. Claiming that the Qur'an doesn't encourage violence is just doublethink. Most Muslims believe that the Qur'an espouses peace, only because they haven't read it. But if they actually do read it and realize it espouses violence, then they are faced with a choice: either give up the idea that the Qur'an is inerrant, or begin spreading Islam through violence. All it takes to turn a peaceful Muslim into a violent Muslim is that they actually read and understand their holy book. Even peaceful Muslims aren't great. Even in its milder incarnations, Islam is sexist and hostile to science. The interests of Islam are not aligned with my interests. They are, in fact, directly opposed to my interests. I believe that one of the most powerful ways in which I can act politically is through economics. There is a diner in my town which is well-known for its owners being racist. I don't go there, because I don't want to support racists monetarily. Similarly, I wouldn't hire a person who made racist comments. I believe that there should be significant repercussions for that kind of behavior. Likewise, I don't want to go to Muslim businesses or hire Muslims. Islam is every bit as harmful as racism, and I believe that there should be significant repercussions for that behavior. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_class http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_class