in case you do not know, or choose not to recall, what the church teaches on islam

“But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place among whom are the Muslims: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.” (Lumen Gentium)

But that doesn’t say we don’t get to fight them, does it? Because, Lepanto? Well, see below:

“The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth (Cf. St. Gregory VII, Letter III, 21 to Anazir [Al-Nasir], King of Mauretania PL, 148.451A.), who has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, his Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting.

“Over the centuries many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values.”

“Therefore, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, color, condition in life or religion. Accordingly, following the footsteps of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the sacred Council earnestly begs the Christian faithful to ‘conduct themselves well among the Gentiles’ (1P 2:12) and if possible, as far as depends on them, to be at peace with all men (cf. Rm 12:18), and in that way to be true sons of the Father who is in heaven (cf. Mt 5:45).” (Nostra Aetate)

And John Paul II, speaking to the Catholic community of Ankara:

“My brothers, when I think of this spiritual heritage (Islam) and the value it has for man and for society, its capacity of offering, particularly in the young, guidance for life, filing the gap left by materialism, and giving a reliable foundation to social and juridical organization, I wonder if it is not urgent, precisely today when Christians and Muslims have entered a new period of history, to recognize and develop the spiritual bonds that unite us, in order to preserve and promote together for the benefit of all men, ‘peace, liberty, social justice and moral values’ as the Council calls upon us to do (Nostra Aetate 3).

Now, perhaps you have been reading texts by independent thinkers developing their own view of Islam, quoting from saints or scholars whose views diverge from magisterial teaching. Perhaps you simply don’t care what magisterial teaching is. But, if you do, bear in mind:

1. The Council has asked that we put past disputes behind us, and work towards mutual understanding, for the sake of peace. This sounds like an excellent – and Christian – counter-terrorist approach.
2. If the Church has high regard for Muslims, clearly this regard extends to those who “esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-giving, and fasting.” I’m pretty sure this does not refer to violent extremists who claim to uphold faith through bloodshed and force. Therefore, refusing to refer to extremists as Muslims is entirely in keeping with this magisterial statement of respect for Islam.
3. Focusing on the things that divide, rather than those that unite us, is precisely the opposite of what St. John Paul asks of us. Consider that, please, for a moment. Do you think he was being overly optimistic? Naive? If so, remember you’re thinking of a pope who lived under both Nazi and Communist regimes, and saw the worst of what humanity can do. Recall that he was shot by a Muslim – and forgave his would-be assassin.
4. We’re supposed to love even our enemies, but most Muslims are not our enemies. So it is not only un-Christian, it is also ignoble, to spread the rhetoric of hatred and distrust for people who mean us no ill.

No, the church does not teach that Islam is equal to Christianity, nor that there are not problems with the way the tradition has been lived or interpreted. The ongoing, living presence of our God in our sacramental life is what makes Catholic Christianity so compelling, and in this respect (not in our always being good and right, because sometimes we’ve been just awful and stupid) is our tradition unique, rooted as it is in divine Presence. But the church DOES encourage unity with Muslims, reconciliation with them, respect for them, and a shared project of peace.

If you don’t like it, fine – we all have our little quibbles –  but just be honest about the fact that you’re the one dissenting from church teaching, that your dissent is likely to foster an increased culture of violence – and stop telling those of us who agree with the magisterium that we’re “full of crap.” That’s not even a clever or interesting argument.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer#/media/File:Duerer-Prayer.jpg