If you just state it's religious, you open up space for "Muslim bad", or "Christian bad" arguments. Which lead to nonsense and prosecution to specific peoples
If you use imperialism concepts, everything fits well together, and it leads to structural criticism of capitalism, and prosecution (to use the same word) against oppressive ideas and power structures, not against specific peoples.
But I can agree that imperialistic forces oppress religions that are not the same as theirs, if that's what you meant.
You don't hate them. You hate the system that educated them to think like that.
Our only way out is to study more, to be better prepared when these conversations happen, and to continue organising where possible.
But also remembering that most people won't be reasoned out of ignorance. It's through emotion, commitment and trust from people that understand themselves as equals that they listen. Right now, you feel enlightened and superior to them. This is not the way.
Also, I may be wrong. Happy for comrades to argue against me.