I personally have no need and do not understand religion. But that does not mean I do not recognize the profound influence religion has on society, our culture and our politics, for good or bad. We just need to eventually grow out of it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, for I don't really understand religion. I don't have a clue what holy books say, neither do I care. But would it be wrong to say that a religion is only as good as its practitioners? How does it matter if a holy book does not condone violence, if the practitioners are violent? That applies to all religions. 

If you don't condemn that violence, don't stand up against your coreligionists, but take recourse to quoting the holy books how does that help? Again, that applies to all religions.