Temporary ban not a rejection of Muslims

To call for an increase in Mideast Christian refugees does not equal rejecting Muslims. Religious minorities, such as Christians and Yazidis, are special targets for murder, rape and extortion by ISIS.

The rise of various conservative Islamic movements during the past few decades has been paired with a deterioration in the situation of religious minorities throughout the Mideast. The result has been mob burnings of churches, death threats, harrassments, kidnappings, arrests on trumped-up charges, forced marriages of young girls, sharia law, Quranic education forced onto non-Muslims, and executions such as those of 21 Ethiopian Christians in Libya.

Cowardly U.S. policy has turned a blind eye and failed to use our influence to advance the basic human right to openly and fully practice the religion of one's choice and to change religions according to conscience.

The suspension of Muslim immigration is temporary and not a repudiation of concern for suffering refugees. It's right that policy be driven by what's best for America's safety, not political correctness. We need a better process for separating out not only that tiny subset of Muslims who engage in violent jihad against the West, but also that somewhat larger subset that is theologically sympathetic toward jihad - while recognizing that the majority are just looking to live their lives in peace and prosperity.

But immigration policy is not the only way to help refugees. I encourage everyone to consider donating to an aid organization helping refugees as they flee to safer havens in Europe, Lebanon and other countries and to pray and advocate for wise foreign policies that contribute to stability, peace and religious freedom across the Middle East and Asia.

Heather Hall

Libertyville