Is Islam Truly A Religion?

I have a problem with any religion that infringes on the rights of others.

I think Islam is definitely a Faith, and Government is simply the natural evolution of how it is pursued today.

I use comparisons in a limited form here, but it isn't unlike the Catholic Church prior to reformation and other major shifts over the years. At one time, Kings answered to the Pope or they wouldn't BE Kings for very long, and that was true across a good number of European powers. If one looks into the whole story of how the 'Church Of England' came into existence, it is a very clear example of the power of the 'old' Church.

The difference, of course, is that The Church did go through more than one period of major internal and external reform, which really turned it into something quite different today than it was known to be for most of its time in existence.

If Islam moderates and gains the confidence to stop trying to convert everything on the planet (AHEM...not like Christians EVER had the 'convert or DIE! approach..right? ), then the billion or so followers may be downright decent folks.

Of course, it may be another hundred years or five hundred before all that happens and things find a balance in life.

@wrabbit2000, Ah Yes, The Religion of Peace and Love,,,,,
The Religion of Dominating Women and Legalizing Pedofiles! 

I don't think an Islamic evolution is possible ... especially when you've got a group re-forming the Caliphate under the old dogma. I forget who it is, but there's some MSM always touting how ISIS has killed more Muslims than anyone else. Thing is ... they're right, but only because they can't get to those they consider their truest enemies conveniently.

The 'cult label' you penned in your first reply. Some illiterate dude came out of a cave with the word of Allah. Too bad no one challenged what he had to say like that Mormon thing (okay. repeat what you translated verbatim.). That a billion people are enrollees makes it no less than what you named it.

When you have predominantly Islamic countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan having a death penalty for burning a Koran, it's no longer "just a few extremists" but a dangerous political ideology embraced by a massive population of people.

I just came across this to add, and it is a good example of the nature of the enemy as it stands apart from Islam as a whole.

ISIS' dark mission: Destroying all signs of Christianity

First, I have to note that it takes a real special brand of stupid to see this as some 'dark' mission or unclear intent. What part of their own very open statements has been hard for those in media to comprehend? If it qualifies as idolatry, blasphemy or a distraction to the submission toward the will of Allah? It is forbidden. ISIS is following a new twist on the purified (craziest) fundamental form of Islam, just like the Taliban tried to build a single nation on. Of course, the world wasn't exhausted and war weary back then...and everyone (but ISIS) is now. Good timing on their part. Doom on everyone else, at the moment.

Still....they couldn't be MORE clear about their intent ..and yet, even those living in their path and natives to the area don't run, not quite fully believing it is what it is until its too late to run. It reminds me of the Nazis as much as other armies of the past for the disbelief casual murder and brutality is met with, and consistently too. (A lesson in there somewhere.....perhaps something to ponder more on)

These extremists are a growing perversion of Islam, and not the true face of a billion people. (We'd have already lost this war if that were not the case, by math alone). We're also fighting along side and dependent on Muslims who don't consider themselves having anything in common with the extremist animals (and I do NOT mean Iran....which is just choosing a pot over the kettle)...and who, themselves, will be killed in very creative ways if ISIS ever takes the small Gulf states.