I was lurking, but I have to answer your posts. My husband is sleep already, it's too bad, as he has been reading and studying the Koran for some time now and knows it better than I do.
When you say that you can't blame an entire religion for the actions of a few sick individuals, you have it backwards, you can't blame all Muslim peoples for the teachings of a sick religion.
These animals as you put it that are taking part in the numerous Jihads are true followers of Allah and Muhammed and the civilized ones that are living peacefully with the Israelis and in other parts of the world are not true followers in the complete sense.
The most respected Islamic sources, the Qur’an, the Hadith of al-Bukhari, the biography of Ibn Ishaq, and the history of al-Tabari paint a portrait of Muhammad that is different from what we’re being told.
Qur’an 47:4 “When you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah’s Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam.”
From the Hadith: “Allah’s Apostle has ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah alone or pay us a tribute [tax]. Our Prophet informed us that Allah says, ‘Whomever among us is martyred shall go to paradise to lead a luxurious life beyond imagination, and whoever among us survives the battle shall become your master.” Or, “I heard the Prophet saying, ‘Jihad will bring about either a reward in the hereafter or booty in this world.” Civilized people are willing to comdemn Hitler and Nazism as well as Stalin and Communism as bad but not when it comes to Muhammad and Islam even though the factual evidence is equally comdemning.
I would recommend that you study the Koran and the other Islam texts, I can suggest other materials to read if you are interested.
I am curious how many Muslims you know? Do you talk to them about what you are reading to find out what their opinion is? I have read more than my share of books about Islam and the Koran and if I based everything I know about Muslims just off of thoses texts, I would have a pretty bleak view also. Knowledge does not equal wisdom.