I've heard some refer to Islam as the Religion of Peace.
1. I’m the one who should have said, on seeing all your questions, “there is more there than I am inclined to go into at length.” but I wasn’t daunted.
3. If you really “get that Allah is the final adjudicator, ultimate possessor of all things, etc” despite the fact that “Islam [or anyone else] still hasn’t established Allah exists.” then you must have got it through reason and exercise of free choice.
4. We’re on the same page on “Ideals aren’t changed with guns.” and hopefully shoulder to shoulder on the “push against false and wicked preachments.”
6. Your comments here indicate that you did not see that I separately addressed the multiple points you raised under this number. So I won’t go there again until you have a valid challenge to what I’ve already posted. However, I’ll add this in response to your comments here, and you can challenge either point: [a] history is full of people taking up violent armed rebellion irrespective of religion, and (b) there is nothing more misogynistic than to effectively tell women “you’re just women, I’m not interested in your views about your choices” which is what your response boils down to.
7. “who is anyone to say they are not TRUE [A or B]” >>> If A or B have authoritative bodies controlling membership to A or B then it will be the decision of those bodies. If not, then everyone will have their opinion on it. Islam does not have an organisation or any body, no matter how local or small, that has an authoritative say on who is a Muslim and who is not. The biggest open violator of all known Islamic principles can say he’s a Muslim.
9. “playing semantics.” What by defining a word you used? “No appetite for it” can only mean you don’t like words being given their correct meanings. That’s your choice.
10. Are you serious or just playing games here? We’ll drop it, if it’s the latter. You asked whether “speaking against Islam [is] punishable by death?” the phrase “punishable by death” meant a legal entity carrying out a death sentence. So I said “If some countries have done that, it is not evidence that Islam commands it.” In your response you mention Salmon Rushdie. Charlie Hebdo and add “don’t answer, I know.” Okay, we’re here to learn from each other, so if you know then tell me the Qur’anic verses that command it.
11. If “The HQ spells out in great detail how unbelievers and apostates are to be dealt with. Repeatedly, it’s death.” then shouldn’t quoting the clearest or even a random verse showing that, have been the easiest thing to do?
12. “I have no tolerance for false, destructive beliefs.” >>> that’s another of your very interesting remarks. I mean it. You see it makes me wonder whether the so called World Wars 1 and 2 [death tolls 65 and 72 millions respectively] and the wars on Afghanistan, Iraq and in Syria were/are the result of “false, destructive beliefs”
13. “But enter the influence of Islam …” is either a blatant contradiction of what you said immediately before it, “Baghdad was the center of academic achievement in all manner of disciplines: Algebra, astronomy, poetry, philosophy.” or an assertion that Baghdad was not yet Islamic when that happened.
There are a number of surah in Qur'an relating to blasphemy, from which Quranic verses 5:33 and 33:57–61 have been most commonly used in Islamic history to justify punishment for blasphemy.[6][13][14] For example,[6]
The only punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is that they should be murdered, or crucified, or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides, or they should be imprisoned. This shall be a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement. Except those who repent before you overpower them; so know that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Many Quranic commentators and jurists have based their treatment of blasphemy on this verse, interpreting blasphemy "within the definition of waging war".[6] The final portion of the verse waives punishment if the offender repents, but it has often been ignored or dismissed as applying only to non-Muslims.[6] Many scholars have also used the following verse to justify punishing blasphemy:[6]
Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger – Allah has cursed them in this World and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating Punishment. Truly, if the Hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, and those who stir up sedition in the City, desist not, We shall certainly stir thee up against them: Then will they not be able to stay in it as thy neighbours for any length of time: They shall have a curse on them: whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain (without mercy).
However, other jurists have held that these verses were to be acted upon only during Muhammad's lifetime, since they referred to specific forms of action and circumstances, authorizing punishment only for offenders under Muhammad's jurisdiction.[6]
Muhammad ordered the execution of Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf.[15] After the Battle of Badr, Ka'b had incited the Quraysh against Muhammad, and also urged them to seek vengeance against Muslims. Another person executed was Abu Rafi', who had actively propagandized against Muslims immediately before the Battle of Ahzab. Both of these men were guilty of insulting Muhammad, and both were guilty of inciting violence. While some[who?] have explained that these two men were executed for blaspheming against Muhammad, an alternative explanation[according to whom?] is that they were executed for treason and causing disorder (fasad) in society.[16]
One hadith[which?] tells of a man who killed his slave because she persisted in insulting Muhammad. Upon hearing this, Muhammad is reported to have exclaimed: "Do you not bear witness that her blood is futile!" (anna damah hadarun)[17][6] This expression can be read as meaning that the killing was unnecessary, implying that Muhammad condemned it.[6] However, most hadith specialists interpreted it as voiding the obligation of paying the blood money which would normally be due to the woman's next of kin.[6] Another hadith reports Muhammad using an expression which clearly indicates the latter meaning: [6]
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: A Jewess used to abuse the Prophet and disparage him. A man strangled her till she died. The Apostle of Allah declared that no recompense was payable for her blood.