On Thomas Jefferson and the Qur'an

"Jefferson first read about Muslim “civil rights” in the work of one of his intellectual heroes: the seventeenth-century English philosopher John Locke. Locke had advocated the toleration of Muslims—and Jews—following in the footsteps of a few others in Europe who had considered the matter for more than a century before him."  The author seems to overstate her case: Jefferson in the bill to protect religious worship in Virginia invoked Muslims to make a point, but not to show respect for Muslims.  He would (not unlike the manner in which Locke in his Letter Concerning Toleration) invoke Muslims in the same way once would argue that we should give freedom of speech even for members of the KKK.  To make that point, is not to extent respect or acceptance to the KKK. (thanks Sultan)