Islam is a religion of peace

I'm glad we can see eye to eye about an honest discussion free from coercion and the decision to show us other cultures. My respect for you is immense. May the best man win! First though I must protest that Pro actually told a blatant lie to the audience, and this should be corrected. Islam DOES mean submission, we agree. However, he claims that it is derived from the word Salam meaning peace. This is NOT THE CASE. Islam is from the word 'al-silm' which literally means submission. If it were true that Islam also meant peace and security al-silm and al-salam would be the same word. This is not the case thus we can conclude through logic Islam only means submission. Furthermore, one Muslim scholar even says "Jihad is not inhumane, despite its necessary violence and bloodshed, its ultimate desire is peace which is protected and enhanced by the rule of law. " - Ibrahim Sulaiman. So either Pro is lying or misguided, in either case it really does not matter as not all scholars agree that through SUBMISSION will peace come. Therefore in order for peace to ensue everyone must become a Muslim through force and indicates that it is NOT a religion of peace. . http://www.thereligionofpeace.com... Second I must again protest the claim that Muslims may be irresponsible but not Islam. This is a fallacy at best. Again, the Islamic world seeks to put Salam Rushdie to death (something I have noticed he has NOT refuted directly at all but instead plays linguistic games). The source above indicate that even the slightest indication of the prophet Muhammad may result in a militant response not only by the people of any Islamic country, but their leaders as well. He never refutes this. Also I ask of this: Name one country that is an Islamic state that has a higher quality of life than that of North America (whichever is the lesser) by that of a third party organization (i. e. Reporters without borders). North America isn't even number 1, yet no Islamic state will defeat them because Islam is not a nation of peace. They are riddled with crime, lack a middle class due to severe punishments, and on top of that are in a consistent state of war. Even the Shiite and Sunni Muslims persecute one another. I again ask you; what religion is peaceful that suppresses freedom of speech, and even persecutes their own members? Even worse in the article below done by a member of Islam, a man murdered his wife simply for denying him sex. The person showing the article even makes a mention that 'praise this pious person for upholding Islamic values'. So if Muslims cannot be held responsible for Islam, then Islam must be the problem, otherwise why would such an individual do such a thing? Why don't Buddhists kill then as well? . http://thechroniclesofislam.blogspot.ca... Third: This will further my point later in this debate. I shall not touch this for now. Fourth: still does not account for Rushdie. Even if it did you only further my point that Islam is a violent religion; as Rushdie fears for his life for creating a character in the Satanic Verses Controversy that was close to Muhammad. Therefore if a fatwa is a legal opinion binding on the scholar that looks terrible upon the religion as a whole. Under Islam here is the long list of apologies this kind sir would have to make before claiming they are a religion of peace: Discrimination against Women (female gender mutilations, Sharia law requiring the Burka, 'justified' domestic disputes) Discrimination against Shiites Bombings and death threats after the Norwegian Muhammad controversy (not even in Norway these people were blowing up their own homes in the Middle East out of anger! ) Discrimination against the Jews and Children due to Muhammad marrying a 9 year old (in which she would lead several campaigns after Muhammad died to spread Islam . .. again making it not peaceful! ) Again I ask: what is the penalty for apostasy in Islam? What would happen to me in the Middle East if we were to have this debate? And why does the Qu'ran justify slapping a woman when a man even fears -just a little suspicion by her tone of voice for example- her 'highhandedness' according to the Qu'ran? How many campaigns had Muhammad led? I turn it over to Pro