Islam - The Religion of Peace?

Mohammed: Prophet of Peace or Purveyor of Murder?

Following yet another communique to the world from Osama bin Laden, which has sent American Stocks to record-setting (albeit temporary) losses and struck fear into millions of hearts, it is once again obvious to most rational people that bin Laden's Islam is a catalyst for anything but peace. Having lived in the Middle East for a time myself, I have concluded that Islam is, at best, repressive and counter to many values we hold dear (e.g. equal rights, freedoms of religion and expression, separation of religion and state); at worst, it is a religion that espouses violence against non-muslims and women - a perfect playing field for Terror.

"Fight and slay the Unbelievers wherever ye find them. Seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war."
~Qur'an, Sura 9:5

Why is that? Has the violent nature of this religion changed since Mohammed violently wrought Islam upon the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century, and his followers imposed it by the sword across the Middle East, North Africa and into Spain into the 8th century?

The word "Islam," though derived from the Arabic root "Peace," means in fact "Submission or Surrender"

However you may feel about Islam, you will find the following articles by David Wood provocative:

• Islam Beheaded: The Information Superhighway and the Death of Mohammedanism


• Is Islam a Religion of Peace?

Many will say "What about the unspeakable crimes committed in the name of Christianity? The Crusades? The Inquisitions?"

While I am no great defender of Christianity either, I submit that there is a very fundamental difference between the two in modern times. I cannot think of a single time in living memory when Christians committed terrorism, much less beheading, stoning, or the killing of thousands of civilians, in the name of God.

Since 9-11 alone, Islamists have conducted over 4000 acts of terror in the name of Allah. I ask again - is this the Religion of Peace?