ISLAM is a religion of HATE

I'm an agnostic who has studied Islam for six years, and I find myself convinced that Islam is not a religion of hate. Pro makes the positive claim that "Islam is a religion of hate", hence the burden of proof is on him. I simply have to disprove his arguments to win this debate. REBUTTALPro argues, "The subjugation, conversion, or murder of non-Muslims is specified in the Quran. Surah 9, which abrogates all older Surahs except the very short Surah 113. .. "Rebuttal: Pro here is taking Surah 9 (The Surah of Repentance) out of context and claiming that it applies to all disbelievers. Truth of the matter, Surah 9 is simply verses revealed to Mohammad when the Arab Pagans of Mecca where having a war with Muslims. Pro quotes Surah 9:5. Rebuttal: According to the well-known Islamic scholar, Patricia Crone, this verse is only directed against a particular group accused of oath-breaking and aggression, pagan Arabs at Mohammad's time, and not all non-Muslims[1]. This is also emphasized in other parts of the academic work, The Encyopedia of Islam, which features various experts and academics on Islam[2]:"Another verse which has caused much confusion is 9:5. This is the first Quranic verse mentioned in the fatwa of Usama bin Laden. It is also a verse which has been referred to by Reverend Franklin Graham in his comments about the “wicked, violent” nature of Islam. Verse 9:5 says, But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the polytheists (mushrikun) wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem [of war]. Contrary to what may be thought from a literal reading of this translation, this verse is not a kind of carte blanche to attack any and all non-Muslim peoples. Here again the issue of historical context is so crucial for understanding. Verse 9:5 was revealed specifically in relation to the Muslims fighting the idolaters of Makkah. The Makkan idolaters are referred to in the Quran by the technical term “mushrikun” (sing. “mushrik”). This term comes from a three letter Arabic root “sh-r-k” which means “to associate” or “take a partner unto something,” so that the word mushrikun literally means, “those who take a partner [unto God],” that is to say, “polytheists” or “idolaters. ”. .. . Given this context, this verse does not, in fact, show Islam to be a “wicked, violent” religion, as Franklin Graham would like us to believe, but shows that Islam gave to Muslims the right to defend themselves against those who would not let them worship God, a right, incidentally, which is protected by the United States Constitution. "As established above through academic works, the Qur'an talks about a specific war event and the words are directed against a particular group(pagans in Mecca at the time), and so the Qur'an is definitely not specifying how all Non-Muslims should be treated. Pro's other citations were all from Surah 9, which means that they all were built on a false context. .. .Why the war was occurring and how were Muslims defending themselves?1- The Meccan pagans had expelled Mohammad.2- The Meccan pagans had breached their oaths and agreements.3- The Meccan pagans had slaughtered some Muslims.4- The Meccan pagans were persecuting the Muslim Minority in Mecca(e. g not allowing them to pray). What standards did Mohammad follow in the war?1- No killing of children, women, elderly people or monks. According to Prof. John Louis Esposito, an American professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University in Washington D. C, "From the earliest times, it was forbidden in Islam to kill non-combatant as well as women and children and monks and Rabbis, who were given the promise of immunity unless they took part in the fighting[3]. "2- War ends, if the other side asks for peace. Prof. John Louis Esposito continues, "Permission to fight the enemy is balanced by a strong mandate for making peace" according to Qur'anic verses. .. .SUMMARYPro has simply quote-minded verses out if their context, when their historic context and actual meaning disprove his argument. For him to establish that Islam is a religion of hate, he should give specific principles and doctrines in Islam that call for hate. So far this has not been done. CITATIONS[1] Patricia Crone, Encyclopedia of the Qur'an, War article, p.456[2] Encyclopedia of the Qur'an. p. 681. Found Online On: . http://books.google.com.gh...[3] "What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam," By John L. Esposito. P.120–122