1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects:
the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices:
a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.:
to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:
to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
Islam fits all but #4 like a glove. I’m perfectly willing to agree Islam is in many ways a very negative religion, but it IS a religion.
You are entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts (or definitions).
Almost any group could satisfy that definition of “religion”, as long as “superhuman agency” could be the universe itself, fate, the laws of nature, etc.
Whether Islam is or isn’t a religion, it is also much more than a religion. It is also a cult (at all times) and an enemy of the US Constitution (by extremists or by all adherents when they become 10% of the population).
While our laws and Constitution allow freedom of religion, they do not allow the crimes used by cults and/or treason.
At http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3198476/posts?page=32#32 I suggested that Islam be considered a religion until its adherents approach 8% of the population, at which time it would be considered an enemy of the US Constitution because of its own requirements that its adherents become enemies of the US Constitution when they reach 10% of the population. Therefore, the policy should be that the nation will monitor the number of Muslims in the country to make sure that they never reach 8% or higher - thus allowing them to remain a religion not bound to commit treason against the US and our Constitution.