Islam (Pro) Vs. Buddhism (Con)

I accept. I also ask that Pro reconsider me ceding the 5th round. If this debate doesn't come to a satisfying conclusion, I'm sure Pro would like to have a part 2 debate of this topic.Please note that a source I will be using for this debate is a book, "What The Buddha Taught", by Walpola Rahula.1.) The Case for BuddhismIn our present day, first world, society, we have come a long way since the days of the first civilizations. In that time, empires rose and fell, new ideologies came into play, and mankind evolved into the intellectual species it is today (evolved meaning in knowledge, not literal evolution). From that evolution in knowledge, many new ideas sprang. But, some ideas were "better" than others. Two ideas that came out were Buddhism and Islam. Here, I will focus on Buddhism, and present my case for it.Buddhism was founded by a young Prince named Siddhartha Gautama in the late 6th century BCE (http://asiasociety.org...). A basic synopsis is that when he was born, there was a prophecy surrounding him. He would either become a great king or a great religious teacher. His father wanted him to become a king, so he kept Gautama in the palace, not exposing him to the outside world. One day, Gautama wandered out of the palace, and saw that suffering existed. So, he became an ascetic, renounced his royal life, became enlightened, and became a religious teacher (there is much, much more to the story, but this is a brief and basic synopsis). The closest thing there is to the actual words of the Buddha are the Pali Cannon (which is the text of the Theravada sect of Buddhism). Many different sects have separate texts, but all have one thing in common, which is following the basic teachings of The Buddha. Thus, many of my arguments will be taken from the Pali Cannon (which I will use other sources to reference, because I don't own the Pali Cannon). My only argument for this round in an astounding argument. Unlike many other religions, Buddhism offers a great amount intellectual freedom to its followers, freedoms that are not even present in religions that came after it. In the Kalama Sutta (a part of the Pali Cannon), it details the visit of The Buddha to the town of Kesaputta. There, the Kalama (the inhabitants of the town) approached The Buddha and asked him a question. "Lord, there are some brahmans (religious teachers) & contemplatives who come to Kesaputta. They expound & glorify their own doctrines, but as for the doctrines of others, they deprecate them, revile them, show contempt for them, & disparage them. And then other brahmans & contemplatives come to Kesaputta. They expound & glorify their own doctrines, but as for the doctrines of others, they deprecate them, revile them, show contempt for them, & disparage them. They leave us absolutely uncertain & in doubt: Which of these venerable brahmans & contemplatives are speaking the truth, and which ones are lying?"The Buddha's response goes as such."Of course you are uncertain, Kalamas. Of course you are in doubt. When there are reasons for doubt, uncertainty is born. So in this case, Kalamas, don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, 'This contemplative is our teacher.' When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are unskillful; these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are criticized by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to harm & to suffering' — then you should abandon them."http://www.accesstoinsight.org...Here is just one example when The Buddha encourages free thought in those who follow him. It is even said that on his deathbed, The Buddha asked his disciples to question him on his teachings, to get rid of any doubt they had.(http://www.buddhamind.info...)This intellectual freedom is not found in Islam, as demonstrated in this verse in the Quar'an. "And as for those who disbelieved, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers." Quran (3:56)http://quran.com...As I hope you can see, Buddhism offers freedom and inquisitiveness, which are two important traits especially in our present day society. Buddhism encourages one to think for themselves, to analyse its teachings, and then to adopt them. Again, this freedom is not seen in a lot of religions that exist today.2.) ExtremismI would like to point out to the reader that every religion (including Buddhism) has its share of radicals and extremists. The actions of a powerful few does not reflect the total system, but perhaps a very small, misinterpreted part. Again, this debate is about the teachings each religion presents, and not the actions done in its name. In fact, almost every ideology has its fair share of radicals and extremists, and it is not fair to generalize a religion followed by many peaceful people to these terrible connotations. 3.) I would like to thank Pro for, what seems will be, a very interesting debate. I look foreword to the upcoming rounds. Again, thank you.