Christians can—and should—reject anti-Muslim prejudice for explicitly Christian reasons. While Christianity and Islam make competing truth claims, disciples of Jesus are commanded to treat every neighbor with dignity, honesty, and mercy. This means refusing stereotypes, resisting fear-based rhetoric, opposing discrimination and violence, and pursuing respectful, peaceable relationships with Muslim people in our communities.

1. Every Muslim neighbor bears God’s image

Genesis teaches that every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). That dignity is not earned by sharing our beliefs, our culture, our sexual orientation, gender identity, or our politics. It is given by God. Therefore, contempt, dehumanizing speech, or treating Muslims as a “problem population” is incompatible with a Christian view of the person.

2. Jesus commands love of neighbor—including those we fear or misunderstand

Jesus summarizes God’s law as love for God and love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), the “neighbor” is specifically the outsider—the person a listener might prefer to avoid or distrust. Christians cannot limit love to those who look like us, vote like us, or worship like us.

Jesus goes further: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Even where Christians experience real disagreement or even hostility, Christ’s response is not hatred, mockery, or collective blame. The cross-shaped life moves toward people with prayerful compassion and courageous goodness.

3. Christians must refuse false witness, rumors, and scapegoating

The ninth commandment forbids bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). The New Testament repeatedly warns that the tongue can set whole communities on fire (James 3:5–10). Anti-Muslim prejudice often spreads through exaggerations, selective anecdotes, conspiracy theories, or treating a billion people as though they share one motive. Christians should be the first to fact-check, the first to correct misinformation, and the last to repeat a claim that harms neighbors.

4. Hospitality is a Christian practice, not a political hobby

Scripture urges God’s people to welcome the stranger and practice hospitality (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2). Hospitality does not require agreement; it requires love. Sharing a meal, learning a name, listening to a story, and showing ordinary kindness are profoundly Christian acts. When Muslims experience Christians as hospitable rather than hostile, our witness becomes more credible—even when our message remains distinct.

5. God’s people are called to protect the vulnerable and oppose unjust treatment

Christians are called to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). This includes speaking up when Muslims are harassed, denied fair treatment, targeted for violence, or treated as suspects because of their religious identity. We can support public safety and rule of law without endorsing collective punishment, discriminatory policies, or rhetoric that inflames fear.

6. A Christian defense of religious liberty should include Muslims

Christians who value freedom of conscience should defend it consistently. If we want our churches to worship without intimidation, we should want the same civil protection for mosques. The Golden Rule applies in public life: “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). Defending a neighbor’s basic rights is not theological compromise; it is moral consistency.

Practical commitments for churches and individual Christians

• Examine your speech: refuse jokes, slurs, and sweeping claims about “Muslims” as a monolith.
• Learn before you react: read primary sources, ask questions respectfully, and distinguish between Islam (a religion), Islamism (a political ideology), and individual people.
• Build local relationships: meet Muslim neighbors, attend an open house if invited, and cooperate on common-good projects (food banks, disaster relief, tutoring).
• Stand against harassment and violence: report threats, support victims, and encourage fair treatment in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
• Practice courageous evangelism: share Christ with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), not with fear, insults, or coercion.

Conclusion

Christians can disagree profoundly with Islam while still honoring Muslim neighbors as image-bearers, loving them as Christ commands, and defending them from unjust treatment. Rejecting anti-Muslim prejudice is not a concession; it is obedience. It is one concrete way the church can “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Dr. Beaux Bonhoeffer

Find me also @beauxbonhoeffer.bsky.social and at beauxbonhoeffer.substack.com