/But it is perfectly reasonable for people to be wary of the followers of a faith that have committed many acts of barbarism recently. Yes the peaceful one's are going to take a certain amount of flack but that can't be helped/
I agree aog, that is only to be expected and the few Muslims I know say they accept that. It is exacerbated because many Muslims in this country have made only limited moves toward integration and because some attacks have been made by people who had seemingly integrated.
Attacks are of course extremism from a small minority but that doesn't help alleviate rightful concern when people have a 'higher' duty than the well being of their fellow citizens.
/// The actions of the IRA were clearly not advocated and supported by the vast majority of Catholics, ///
That is an interesting parallel, because (as a sample of one) my late FIL was Irish, had lived in UK since coming over to work here during WW2 and you couldn't wish to meet a more gentlemanly, cultured, peaceful and intelligent person.
Yet, Mrs Zeuhl is clear that though he would not have hurt someone directly, he cheered when The Grand Hotel was blown up and is convinced that back in the 'troubles' if 'the boys' had approached him and asked him to transport some 'goods' for them, he'd have asked no questions.