On Islam (1/2)
Islam is a monotheistic religious tradition that developed in the Middle East in the 7th century C.E. Islam, which literally means "surrender" or "submission," was founded on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as an expression of surrender to the will of Allah, the creator and sustainer of the world. The Quran, the sacred text of Islam, contains the teachings of the Prophet that were revealed to him from Allah.
In recent years, Islam has been subject to harsh criticism from all around the world and for good reasons. The Quaran contains some dangerous verses and teachings, perhaps not as horrifying as the Old testament but terrible regardless. Some notable examples are perhaps the verses followed:
  Quaran 47:4
"So when you meet the disbelievers Ëąin battleËş, strike ËątheirËş necks until you have thoroughly subdued them, then bind them firmly. Later Ëąfree them either asËş an act of grace or by ransom until the war comes to an end. So will it be. Had Allah willed, He ËąHimselfËş could have inflicted punishment on them. But He does Ëąthis only toËş test some of you by means of others. And those who are martyred in the cause of Allah,1 He will never render their deeds void."
Quran 48:29
“Muhammad is God’s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another.”Â
AYAT an-Nisa` 4:95 ; CLEAREST PROOF OF VIOLENT JIHAD AGAINST UNBELIEVERS: those who fight and kill are SUPERIOR to those who don’t.
"Not equal are those of the faithful who sit back —excepting those who suffer from some disability— and those who wage jihad in the way of Allah with their possession and their persons. Allah has graced those who wage jihad with their possessions and their persons by a degree over those who sit back; yet to each Allah has promised the best reward, and Allah has graced those who wage jihad over those who sit back with a great reward: [Translation by Ali Quli Qara’i]"
NOTE: This passage criticizes “peaceful” Muslims who do not join in the violence, letting them know that they are less worthy in Allah’s eyes. It also demolishes the modern myth that “Jihad” doesn’t mean holy war in the Quran, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is this Arabic word (mujahiduna) used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual since the physically disabled are given exemption. [Source]
Islam: A Religion of Peace
As the above verses show that Islam is NOT a peaceful religion. But just to further highlight the point, here are some other reasons:
#1  Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, had people killed for insulting him or for criticizing his religion. This included women. Muslims are told to emulate the example of Muhammad. Â
#2  Muhammad directed Muslims to wage war on other religions and bring them into submission to Islam. Within the first few decades following his death, his Arabian companions invaded and conquered Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Zoroastrian lands. A mere 25 years after Muhammad's death, Muslim armies had captured land and people within the modern borders of over 28 countries outside of Saudi Arabia.
#3  Islam teaches that non-Muslims are less than fully human. Muhammad said that Muslims can be put to death for murder, but that a Muslim could never be put to death for killing a non-Muslim. #4  "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!" (The last words from the cockpit of Flight 93)
[Source]
