Story highlights Obama says he doesn't want to associate the religion of Islam to people who are "murderers"

"There's no religious rational that would justify in any way any of the things that they do," he says

Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama has taken a lot of criticism from political opponents over his rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. But on Wednesday at a CNN presidential town hall, he was asked to defend why he refuses to say "Islamic" terrorism to a Gold Star mother.

"My son gave his life for acts of terrorism," audience member Tina Houchins told Obama at the town hall moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper. "Do you still believe that the acts of terrorism are done for the self-proclaimed Islamic religious motive? And if you do, why do you still refuse to use the term ... Islamic terrorist?"

Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a town-hall event in Fort Lee, Virginia, on Wednesday, September 28. Hide Caption 1 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base The event gave Obama a chance to meet with members of the military community, including veterans and active-duty service members. Here, he answers a question from Marine Cpl. Brandon Rumbaugh, who lost both of his legs in Afghanistan. Hide Caption 2 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Obama listens to a member of the audience. Fort Lee is home to the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Support Command. Hide Caption 3 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base A television screen shows Obama answering a question during the event. Hide Caption 4 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Col. Adam Butler, Fort Lee's garrison commander, has served in the Army for more than 30 years. He just returned from Afghanistan. Hide Caption 5 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Military members watch Obama speak. Hide Caption 6 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base The event was moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper. Hide Caption 7 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Obama discussed issues related to the military and national security. Hide Caption 8 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base The White House said ahead of the town hall that Obama wanted to keep the event focus on troops and away from politics. Hide Caption 9 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Obama answers a question during the event. Hide Caption 10 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Obama greets World War II veteran Millie Veasey after the event. Hide Caption 11 of 12 Photos: Obama holds town hall at military base Obama meets with military members after the event. Hide Caption 12 of 12

Obama called it a "sort of manufactured" issue.

"There is no doubt, and I've said repeatedly, where we see terrorist organizations like al Qaeda or ISIL -- They have perverted and distorted and tried to claim the mantle of Islam for an excuse for basically barbarism and death," he said.

"These are people who've killed children, killed Muslims, take sex slaves, there's no religious rationale that would justify in any way any of the things that they do," he said. "But what I have been careful about when I describe these issues is to make sure that we do not lump these murderers into the billion Muslims that exist around the world, including in this country, who are peaceful, who are responsible, who, in this country, are fellow troops and police officers and fire fighters and teachers and neighbors and friends."

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