In Cal Thomas’ column Dec. 5, he talks about the formation of the new government in Egypt, headed by President Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the democratically elected legislature, dominated by Islamists. He goes on to paint a violent picture if Egypt passes the Islamist constitution.

Although I share his fear of extremists, his further comments, dishonoring Islam, can only add to the mistrust that many Muslims feel toward the United States.

For example, he says: “It is fine to say Islamists don’t represent ‘mainstream Islam,’ whatever that is. But if moderate Islam exists it is having great difficulty asserting itself in the face of extremists who have the guns, knives, and the will to impose their creed on others …”

He adds a sarcastic reference to Islam as a “peaceful religion.”

With those remarks, he simply writes off the peaceful majority of Muslims — more than one billion people of faith.

Does he really believe that all followers of Islam are extremists? I don’t think so. But it is easy to believe they all hate us if all we know about Muslims is the angry mobs we see on TV. That and listening to Cal Thomas.

What is the truth?

A Muslim is someone who practices the religion of Islam by following the teachings of Mohammed, the prophet. Committed Muslims follow the Five Pillars which include a declaration of faith, prayer five times a day, fasting, donating to the poor, and a pilgrimage to Mecca. Islam’s rules of conduct or law is called sharia, and varies as much as the cultures in which Islam is practiced. Arabs, most of whom live in the Middle East, including Egypt, make up less than 20 percent of the world’s Muslims.

An Islamist is a Muslim with a certain set of beliefs. Not all Islamists agree but, broadly speaking, an Islamist desires the overlapping of politics and religion. They support the idea of sharia being imposed by government. Overall, about 10-15 percent of the world’s Muslims are Islamists.

I agree with Thomas and find it disturbing that, for now, the Islamists have emerged as the political winners in Egypt. I do not, as he does, label all Islamists as extremists.

I also agree that moderate Muslims need to assert themselves more against violent radicals.

But when Thomas shows disdain for the religion of Islam, is he not alienating the very people with whom he should be joining forces?

Kay Little, Auburn