A disloyal religion. A religion that mandates violence. A religion incompatible with freedom. A religion intent on overthrowing the government. A religion that’s not a religion but a political movement.
Such smears were used for years in American politics to attack Roman Catholics, and Catholic immigrants in particular. In the 19th century, rioters attacked Catholic churches and homes, and an entire political party was created based on the fear of a Catholic plot to undermine America. The Ku Klux Klan reorganized in the early 20th century in part by using anti-Catholicism to recruit members.