Islam is a peaceful religion

Thanks for the debate! First off I would like to say one thing: THERE IS ONLY ONE RACE!!! I have no "racial" prejudice. I do believe, however, that Islam is FAR from a peaceful religion. I will start with posting some pictures. Take a good long look... (http://images.google.com...) Allow me to quote some of the signs they are holding up... "Slay those who insult Islam!" "Butcher those who mock Islam!" "Europe, you will pay! Your 9/11 is on it's way!" "Be prepared for the REAL holocaust!" "Europe will pay! Demolition is on it's way!" I would like to know where you read peace into that. You might, however, consider this a small group that should not be considered. One of those groups that should be looked over. I think this would be a mistake. If this is how muslims are acting, this is how I will precieve Islam. On top of that, peace is not taught throughout the Qu'ran. Surah 4:95--- "Not equal are those believers who sit and those who strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with their wealth and lives." Surah 2:190--- "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you. And slay them wherever you catch them." Surah 2:216--- "Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows and you know not." Hadith 4:73--- "Muhammed said, "Know that paradise is under the shades of the sword." Please explain where you are reading peace into this. Even if you go back to the Qu'ran, past the gruops that you think we should look over, such as the Jihad, you will not find peace. I find it rather interesting that the Qu'ran peacefully permits the beating of one's wife. Surah 4:34--- "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great." This is only to be a last resort, after VERBAL abuse. (http://www.thereligionofpeace.com...) Not so peaceful. Take a look at this one... "A woman came to Muhammad and begged her to stop her husband from beating her. Her skin was bruised so badly that she it is described as being "greener" than the green veil she was wearing. Muhammad did not admonish her husband, but instead ordered her to return to him and submit to his sexual desires." (http://www.thereligionofpeace.com...) "To classify an entire religion based on a crazy group of radicals is absurd." Not really. Not when the "radicals" are acting in accordance with their holy book. Besides, If this is how the religion portrays itself, why should we believe otherwise? "The Koran quotes the Torah, the Jewish scriptures, which permits people to retaliate eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." ...But it says that forgiving is BETTER. What? You CAN take revenge, but it BETTER to forgive? If it permits the taking of revenge, it is not peaceful. I don't care if it encourages forgiveness. I will start with that. Thanks! Renzzy