Interesting thoughts. Sure, Islam spread when Muhammad and his armies conquered their neighbors on the Arabian pennisula, but Muslim theology teaches peace and acceptance of others, even for political equality (the Koran calls for the protection of the "dhimma", or "People of the Book", Jews & Christians) Violence in Islam has been propogated by radical sects, misinterpreting what the Koran says about peace. Perhaps Muhammad misinterpreted Allah's commands as well.
But that's the same thing that goes on within Christianity. People misinterpret. Remember the Crusades? Or how about the "Crusade" that we have going on right now in Iraq?
The fact of the matter is, the entire human race is completely and utterly depraved. We screw everything up, and I mean EVERYTHING. We are nothing apart from Christ.
Perhaps as Christians we need to take a different approach to ministering to Muslims. If we call their beliefs "not a religion" and their adherets inferiors who use "extreme violence and coercion," how are we winning them for Christ? We are offending them. And when someone is offended the last thing we need to talk about is Christ. Love, respect, understanding, and a genuine heart is what the Lord used to win us over, how can we be called any less than to do the same?

By Allen's definition Judaism isn't a religion either. Try wordsearching "love" at www.blueletterbible.org.

Also consider Christianity with it's threats of punishment in an everlasting hell for un-belief. Is that not coercion?

By Allen's definition Judaism isn't a religion either. Try wordsearching "love" at www.blueletterbible.org.

I am confused by your point. When wordsearching love in the Old Testament only, there is approx. 305 references there. Now I am not sure exactly how many of those refer to God's love for us (vs. our love for each other, etc...) but there are definitely multiple references to God's character as a loving and nurturing God in the Old Testament.

Andy- I see plenty of demands for love from neurotic Yahweh, occasional expressions of love to the Hebrews from racist Yahweh, but no commands to love your enemy. Unless by "love" you mean "slaughter", "kill", or "put to the sword". There is plenty of that.

The crusade came about when the Christians of
Europe realized what the Muslims were doing,
conquering their territories. As far as Iraq, you are correct, Sadam killed more Muslims than any American soldier or President, last count over 1million. Face it, Muslims are in
denial. Muslims preach peace if you agree with them. If not, you either submit or be enslaved. Its written in the Quran. Beheadings are justified in the Quran. In the US do we have the religious police beating people for not praying? Islam does. When was the last time someone posted a negative picture of Jesus and people were killed? Remember the Dutch article and several people around the world were killed. And to stupid Andy, if you ever picked up a bible, it states love your neighbor as your self, including your enemies.
The living God judges man, not man judges man. Christianity is based on free will, either you agree or don't, but atheist will never understand that...........

What poppycock! Allen, have you not read the Bible? There are numerous acts of violence, including God killing everything & everyone on the planet (but for Noah & wife, and a couple of each animal species), destroying cities, helping various others win battles & wars, not to mention commands to kill (usually by stoning) those guilty of various sins!

The Muslims I know are peace-loving, and far more tolerant of those of other religions than most Christians, especially those on radio & tv!
This hypocrisy & myopia & bigotry is IMHO, what would qualify as "blasphemy", for it takes Christ's teachings & tramples them in the mud!

To judge Islam as "not a religion", that because of a some radical extremists, we should condemn all billion+ Muslims, and to go so far as to call for excluding all Muslims from entering this country? Not only is that the opposite of WWJD, but it 100% UN-AMERICAN!!!

So, we've somehow reached the depths of seeing "patriotic, men of God" publicly spout these kinds of irresponsible & inflammatory proclamations, turning the principles of both the Bible & our Constitution on their heads? All I can say is, "God help us"!