Islam is a religion of peace

I will open my second statement with this. I think Con has missed my definitions. I clearly stated “teaches to prefer/promote’ hence it is implied that it tells its followers to prefer/promote a path of peace or a path of violence and terrorism. This debate is about the teachings of Islam whether they teach a Muslim to take the path of peace or commit acts of terrorism. None of the arguments of Con touches upon that point but I will not back away and will answer everything to the best of my abilities. The verse of Surat An-Nisa has been taken out of context. If you read the preceding verses you realize that this is directed at those people who in their hearts know that Islam is the true religion yet still refuse to follow it. If an employee of a certain company knows that the orders have come from the CEO but refuses to carry them out then does not the CEO hold the right to punish that employee? This is the same concept except on a larger scale. The concept of Heaven and Hell is the concept of reward and punishment, It is in Human nature to avoid punishment and strive to achieve a reward that is the best form of motivation you can offer a Human Being. This method of reward and punishment is how we teach children right from wrong so why can it not be used to teach adults right from wrong as well, for humans (young and old) you need reward and punishment to be beyond their imagination and nothing is more beyond imagination then the concept of Heaven and Hell. For the verses of Surah Al-Anfal you are referring to they are present as warning for the believers to distance themselves from evil lest they incur the wrath of Allah using as example those who have already incurred the wrath of Allah by openly intending to commit harm to the Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W). This is just a small demo of how change in context changes the entire meaning behind a verse. Verses that in themselves seem cruel and unjust if put into context may seem fair and just. I will not deny the existence of verses that condemn disbelievers to Hellfire but why is topic for a debate itself and completely irrelevant to the topic at hand hence I will not go into it. For future references cite verses of Quran or Qoutes of the Prophet (S.A.W) that actually incite Muslims to commit terrorism. While submission and obedience is a major factor in Islam so is forgiveness. One of the names of Allah is “Al Rahman” the Merciful and another is “Al Ghafoor” the most forgiving. "Say: 'O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of God: for God forgives all sins (except shirk): for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" (Surah Zamr 39:53) Even if the enemies are sincere and the Muslim warlord does not want peace (because he is winning the war or for whatever reason), the Muslim warlord can simply accuse the enemy of not being sincere (even if they are) and continue the war. There is no advocation for pacificism in the Quran (a pacifist Quran would help Pro's case). In that scenario the Muslim Warlord will be going against the command of Allah and hence doing an evil deed, If you read the verse closely it says accept peace and put your trust in Allah. The reason for this is that Knowledge of what lies in a person’s heart is considered knowledge of the unseen and this is what Allah says about knowledge of the unseen “Allah is not going to disclose to you (the unseen) what is hidden in the realm beyond the reach of perception, but He chooses from among His Messengers whom He wills (to intimate such knowledge). So (about this knowledge of the unseen) believe in Allah and in His Messengers; and if you believe and become God-fearing, yours will be a great reward.” (Surah Al imran 3:179). To claim to have a power that Allah has not given to any humans accept the chosen Prophets is like saying that the person is better than the Prophets hence wrong. It is then the duty of the people around him to stop him from doing the evil deed and take the side of justice as evidenced by the following: “O Faithful! Stand up for the sake of Allah to be witness of Justice and do not leave justice for the sake of enmity. That is near faith. And fear Allah. Allah knows all that you do” (Surah Al Maaidat 5:8). “Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, judge with justice. Allah gives good advice. Allah is All hearing All seeing.” (Surat An Nisa 4:58). The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: “People, beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.” And on another occasion He (S.A.W) said “Those among you who see a wrong being committed stop it with your hands. If you cannot then say it is wrong with your mouth. If you still cannot than know that it is wrong in your heart but know that this is the lowest level of faith.” Guarantee of protection is revoked in certain scenarios. In the case Con has described where a Muslim Warlord decides that war is in his favor and does not make peace with those who wish for peace, he has gone against the commands of Allah and he will punishment for it sometimes it is in this world in the form of a powerful invader or a rebellion. Other scenarios include a nation that has become Proud and overconfident in its superiority, a nation that has begun indulging in immoral acts, greed, oppression of its people (Muslim or Non-Muslim), shedding of innocent blood (whether Muslim or Non-Muslim) etc. Another reason could be that sometimes Allah sends a test to see if the people will chose the easy way or the right way. In any scenario if an innocent is wronged he will be compensated in this world or the next and the oppressors will be punished either in this world or the next.