Carol, if you want to dispute my points, feel free. I note that you haven't done that -- you have simply alleged that I am ignorant and irresponsible. This makes me suspect that you are every bit as ignorant as you feel I am.

I don't claim to be an expert, just a reasonably well informed individual who has observed certain things about the world, has educated himself to a degree, and feels entitled to express his opinions. As I acknowledged before, I have not read the full text of the Koran; I would be surprised if you have, but if I am wrong about that, please enlighten me. For now, I don't see any evidence that your level of expertise is any greater than mine. I DO get the sense, however, that you are more willing than I am to assume, and to assert, that Islam is a benign force -- a "religion of peace," as others have alleged -- without offering any evidence to back up your claim.