I believe it is important to find common ground with people . . . especially when discussing religion.
I may take off my shoes (and put on slippers) when entering a traditional Japanese household, I cover my head when entering a synagogue . . . and so forth.
Many Muslim people (depending upon their background) can become quite offended by something as simple as a portrait of The Prophet (peace be unto him), and the original poster seems to identify as Muslim.
Since I try to show respect toward other peoples’ position even when I disagree with them, it doesn’t hurt me to communicate in such a fashion any more than when I address a Roman Catholic priest as “Father” even when I’m not Catholic.
I believe that a purpose of this forum is to find common ground, and that can’t be accomplished without a demonstration of mutual respect.
And I really do wish everyone peace. In Arabic, “Salaam” means peace . . . which–as a Jew–I might say “shalom”, which means the same thing.
I will often say “A salaam alaikum” when entering someone’s home or business if they are Muslim, as I actually do speak some Arabic. This means “I bid you peace,” and we see this phrase in many cultures and faiths. There used to be a television cooking show hosted by a chef named Jeff Smith–who happened to also be a Methodist minister–who closed every show by saying “I bid you peace” . . . which was actually his trademark.
And–as I indicated earlier–I am sincere when I say such things, as I really do wish everyone peace, and I think that the world would be better if everyone else wished each other peace and meant it.
And nowhere in these points do I endorse religion.