I know those who defend islam have there hearts in the right place

[Martin Eden]

21. Are "islam" and "wahhabism" and "terrorism" all the same thing?

I won't defend any religion or ideology or group of people who intentionally murder innocent people.

Do all worshippers of Islam support such atrocities?

If not, then you should have worded the title of our OP more judiciously.

Personally, I'm agnostic. I don't subscribe to any religion. None can be the "one true" religion, and as long as the cumulative effect of religion is to divide people rather than bring them together, my view of religion will be negative.

I abhor injustice and dogma that curtails freedom of thought and expression and human rights. It may very well be that Islamic societies are for the most part worse in this regard than the other major religions. Whether this is inherent to the religion or due to lack of cultural progress remains to be seen. In the not too distant past Christian societies were considerably more narrow minded and restrictive than today, and you don't have to look too far to see "conservative" Christians in America full of hate and bigotry and eager to unleash the world's greatest military on brown people halfway around the globe.

Religion, including Islam, is here to stay for the foreseeable future. It is pointless and very likely counterproductive to speak in terms of condemning an entire religion, as the leading contender for the Republican nomination has done.

As a nation state we must do what is necessary to defend the life and liberty of our citizens, but beyond that we should be known for our generosity, kindness, understanding, and for setting an example that others will be eager to follow. We need to be what we expect or want others to be, and if we diligently follow that course the world will slowly become a better place.

We can't force people to change, but we can show them a better way.