After the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, France on November 13, fear regarding terrorism is on the rise. As a result, heavy debates and tension have come about in regards to where the United States should stand with respect to Syrian refugees and their welcome in the country.

With the discovery that an ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) militant entered France with a falsified identity as a Syrian refugee, numerous nations questioned whether or not they should provide asylum to the refugees. Particularly in the United States, skepticism and objection have emerged.

Syrians have been seeking refuge for four years since the horrific violence and human exploitation became prominent in their country. WorldVision.org reported that in the midst of a civil war that began in 2011, 12 million Syrians have fled the country, and half of them are children. Children alone face the risk of illness, dangerous labor, sexual abuse, and lack of education in their homeland. With inadequate infrastructure, those who are vulnerable to the war will have to face the winter deprived of shelter. Victims, themselves, of the terrorism born in their country have been portrayed as a security threat by American politicians and the media.

Refugees are not just numbers; they are individuals that make up families and communities. CNN reported that after the Paris attacks, France has agreed to accept 30,000 more Syrian refugees. Somehow, the country that directly experienced the pain and suffering inflicted by ISIS can understand that “Syrian” is not synonymous with “terrorist.” France is a country with far less territory and economic power than the United States, yet it has agreed to allow new refugees into their country. Meanwhile, the United States questions if even one more refugee should be permitted within its borders. It is obvious that our resources are not the issue, and it is clear that what is gravely needed before accepting immigrants is compassion, understanding, and humanity.

As politicians and the media continually inflict fear into the people, it becomes easier to see the situation in black and white: if a terrorist entered France posed as a Syrian refugee, then other refugees could potentially be terrorists. Because the United States wants to avoid the potential threat of a terrorist attack, they must not accept any Syrian refugees. But this is not the case because black and white is simply not realistic. This country must take the initiative to help the refugees who are in need of safety.

With France setting the example they do, is fear an excuse to deny refuge to people who are in such desperate need for it? Succumbing to fear in the federal form is allowing ISIS to win. With a goal to terrorize, the Islamic State is getting exactly what it wants.

Millions of refugees are in need of basic necessities, such as warm clothing, clean water and food, and shelter. While we preach the importance of freedom, liberty, and opportunity, we still want to turn a cold shoulder. As a sovereign state, we have the power to do so much more, but it is cowardice that stops us.

Jeh Johnson, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security, explained to CNN the thorough process that Syrians would have to go through to be taken in as refugees. Taking 18-24 months vetting and evaluating every refugee that looks to the United States for asylum, the American process of allowing a refugee into the country is one of the most meticulous in the world. With the importance given to national security in this country, the risk of terrorism on US soil is mitigated.

In reality, the terrorist in Paris was not a refugee, but someone pretending to be. By looking extensively as to who is accepted into the country, this problem can be avoided, and it is not by means of looking at who is Muslim and who is Christian.

Excluding Muslims from entering the country is nothing short of Islamophobia. While politicians like Jeb Bush vouch for allowing the refugees into the country only if they can prove their affiliation with Christianity, and Donald Trump speaks of monitoring or even banning mosques, the country turns farther away from First Amendment rights.

Despite what the name suggests, the Islamic State does not follow Islam’s principles. In fact, the opposite is true; they turn away from the Islamic ideals of peace and resort to violence to inflict terror upon others. Even if they are Muslims, they are radical extremists and cannot be compared to the innocent followers of the religion.  Ultimately, Islam and ISIS do not correlate.

With Christianity being the predominant religion in the United States, it also takes part in creating laws. Again, hypocrisy comes with this situation: many Christians in government allow for those ethics to play a part in administration, but will not apply it when it comes to immigrants. While several politicians want to turn away refugees without a second thought, they disregard what Romans 12:13 teaches, saying “Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.”

The United States must accept these refugees with open arms, and for that to happen, the people’s perception needs to change. The refugee crisis is not Syria’s problem, nor is it is the Middle East or Europe’s problem. It is the world’s problem. It should overpower politics because it is not a political issue; it is an issue regarding humanity, and everyone must come together to solve it.