The Constitution in its historical context was designed to protect both Protestantism and Catholicism, but it was never designed to protect Islam.The Constitution protects free religious exercise except where Establishment is being violated. Where precisely in the Constitution is "religion" defined in a manner which excludes Islam?
It should be noted that two years before the Constitution was signed, the Virginia Act For Religious Freedom was debated. There was an effort to make it only apply to Christians. One of the more influential delegates objected to this idea.
Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity in exclusion of all other religions may establish, with the same ease, any particular sect of Christians in exclusion of all other sects? That the same authority which can force a citizen to contribute threepence only of his property for the support of any one establishment may force him to conform to any other establishment in all cases whatsoever?
When one considers that this particular delegate ended up being considered the primary author of our Constitution, logic does not support the idea that said document protects solely the Christian denominations. Therefore, the comparision of anti-Catholic bigotry at the dawn of the 20th Century and anti-Islamic bigotry at the dawn of the 21st retains its validity.
-Eric
That is untrue. At the time of the Founders they called it "Mahometism", but they were interested in protecting ALL religions, including Islam.