How about we let a Muslim brother help you out:

In theory, you are right. Islam is almost like Christianity and even the Jewish religion. It can be even said that Muslims and Jews are almost alike, except for some of the rules.

Muslims believe that Allah, God or G_d sent down the same religion throughout the history of the world in all corners of the world, and that Islam is the last one. The only difference is that the "other" religions changed over the course of history, while Islam barely changed. Hence the similarities, yet not the same.

You are also right about the secular life. Islam promotes the idea that one must seek knowledge as best as possible.

The problem now is not the religion itself, it is the believers. When the believers start to care less about the afterlife and more about the distractions of the world, things go bad. That is just how I see it...

@im_sneaky

Barbaric? Barbaric?! Have you read the Bible? God is sooo pissed, like alll the time!

@coolestguyever

yeah the turban thing is not for muslims. it is actually a sikh thing, a totally different religion there that has nothing to do with Islam...

As a convert to Islam I can confirm that your OP is right in every detail. That understanding of Islam after reading the Qur'an is exactly why it grows so fast worldwide.

The problem is then we all look at the middle east and collectively say, wtf. As I have commented before, Islam now is really no different that Christianity in the Dark Ages. Most actions and beliefs of the mass are not part of Qur'anic teachings, they are simply distortions of out of context passages and even more are attributed to the Hadith literature that is proclaimed to be from Muhammad's personal views and sayings. Why that is considered part of Islamic law completely confuses me since the Qur'an itself says that you should have no other book but the Qur'an as your guide.

If you are curious I would suggest reading it. That is truly the only way to really understand what Islam is about. Don't base it off the writings of any one person or any highly uneducated group of people.

@im_sneaky, your wrong. None of the Qur'ans verses teach hate, killing, or brutality. In fact the only holy literature I have ever read that prescribed killing someone without just cause, i.e. in defense or as punishment for murder, is in the Old Testimate/Jewish TaNaKh.

All religions change so that they can keep people coming. There selling a product... and they do the research. It barely matters what the values were before, they can just change them to suit today's. Stereotypical "American" Christians are a perfect example of that. Certainly not the only one, but we all love to hate Americans, don't we?

This statement is wrong on so many levels.  You don't believe in something so you have nothing but negativity for it?  I don't believe in Christianity...but I could go on for hours about the positive aspects/effects of the religion.   Islam is not jihad.

Care to explain this to me, Superchunk?

Really like an interpretation about why the Qu'ran perscribes such things.

Congratulations for having the integrity to read up about Islam instead of pre judging it like most ignorant people.

I have not researched faith at all in my life but after studying international politics, terrorism studies and similar subjects i can see why confusion remains over certain faiths.

Ignorance is the cancer that causes most conflicts

Is it a coincidence thats theris an add for a Muslim dating service as I view this thread?

It always comes down to snippets of the discussion at hand and taking things out of context. What you just did is the same thing terrorists do to gain ranks.

Also, which translation are you using? Who is the translator?

RE: 2:190-193

Even in what you quoted you can see that the fighting is about persecution and freedom from it. It also states that if they desist, or stop fighting, or some translations say ask for peace, then you must give them peace. During the time this was written the fledgling muslim group was tiny and persecuted and this was a call to defend yourself and others from persecution. Surely, that is not a barbaric notion. It even says clearly that if they ask for peace, you must give them peace, again, not a barbaric act.

Here is another translation of the same verses.

"[2.190] And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.
[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
[2.192] But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[2.193] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors."

See I highlighted the prerequisites to war/fighting. Not just the description of such event. THose prerequisites are generally ignored by people claiming Islam teaches hate/killing.

RE: 4:89

First you must remember that unlike the Bible, the Qur'an is one book from one Author. Those prereq's above hold for all military conflicts. Also, remember that the Qur'an came in peices over many years. Parts were revealed that pertained to things happening at that time. Essentially the idea is that God gave Muhammad answers to questions currently being asked. So, this is also in relation to verses before and after and to the history of the moment.

"[4.88] What is the matter with you, then, that you have become two parties about the hypocrites, while Allah has made them return (to unbelief) for what they have earned? Do you wish to guide him whom Allah has caused to err? And whomsoever Allah causes to err, you shall by no means find a way for him.
[4.89] They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
[4.90] Except those who reach a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they should have certainly fought you; therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given you a way against them."

This is in relevance to traitors to the Muslims, people who defected to the idol worshipers and were consequently warring against them. Still involved in a defensive fight against, these traitors, like all traitors, were penalized with death. Again notice the last bolded sentance. God reaffirms the rule that if they seek peace you must give them peace.

RE:9:123

Again, one book, one message. Nothing is removed. Above prereqs still apply. This particular verse has nothing to do with physical conflict. Its where the duality of the meaning of the word Jihad comes in play, until recent times Muslims wouldn't have ever meant physical religious war with Jihad, kinda sad really.

This entire Surah (chapter) is talking about faith and not giving up on the unbeleivers or backing down from a discussion/debate about faith and Islam. Here is the verse in context.

"[9.119] O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and be with the true ones.
[9.120] It did not beseem the people of Medina and those round about them of the dwellers of the desert to remain behind the Apostle of Allah, nor should they desire (anything) for themselves in preference to him; this is because there afflicts them not thirst or fatigue or hunger in Allah's way, nor do they tread a path which enrages the unbelievers, nor do they attain from the enemy what they attain, but a good work is written down to them on account of it; surely Allah does not waste the reward of the doers of good;
[9.121] Nor do they spend anything that may be spent, small or great, nor do they traverse a valley, but it is written down to their credit, that Allah may reward them with the best of what they have done.
[9.122] And it does not beseem the believers that they should go forth all together; why should not then a company from every party from among them go forth that they may apply themselves to obtain understanding in religion, and that they may warn their people when they come back to them that they may be cautious?
[9.123] O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
[9.124] And whenever a chapter is revealed, there are some of them who say: Which of you has it strengthened in faith? Then as for those who believe, it strengthens them in faith and they rejoice.
[9.125] And as for those in whose hearts is a disease, it adds uncleanness to their uncleanness and they die while they are unbelievers.
[9.126] Do they not see that they are tried once or twice in every year, yet they do not turn (to Allah) nor do they mind.
[9.127] And whenever a chapter is revealed, they cast glances at one another: Does any one see you? Then they turn away: Allah has turned away their hearts because they are a people who do not understand.
[9.128] Certainly an Apostle has come to you from among yourselves; grievous to him is your falling into distress, excessively solicitous respecting you; to the believers (he is) compassionate,
[9.129] But if they turn back, say: Allah is sufficient for me, there is no god but He; on Him do I rely, and He is the Lord of mighty power."

*********

In summary, don't just believe what others say it says. Actually read it for yourself to see its context. Especially knowing the history of the times is a very important tool. But, what you just did in error demonstrates exactly why terrorism exists and why so many fools think they will get these mythical virgins that don't even exist in the Qur'an to begin with.

btw, here's a decent searchable Qur'an for those interested.

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/koran/

awesome! I'm not a muslim, but reading up on religious teachings is awesome, and sometimes you find one that really clicks with you. That's how I found Gnosticism, and I was raised Catholic. Its good to read stuff for yourself rather than let peoples opinions get in your way.