Carol
You are taking what points you prefer to take from my argument and attacking those. My main point is this : Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are not political or social constructs. They are religions which have as their origins specific sacred texts, which all three believe to be the Word of God. This I also believe to be true of the other major world religions. The difference between dangerous fundamentalists in any of these and the moderate practitioners is this: The Fundamentalists follow the letter of the sacred texts, believing that in so doing they will gain salvation.
NOW...since all three sacred texts have numerous disagreements, either only ONE is the Truth, or God is suffering from a severe personality disorder. To believe that all three are acceptable requires a neutral standpoint,ie, you cannot be a true believer and hold that view. If you are a true believer, you must determine that those who disagree are wrong.

We agree on one thing. Extremist fundamentalism is the problem. This is why I think Islamic extremism is more dangerous than other forms: In Islamic culture, there is no tradition of the separation of church and state. That separation is an alien concept to them. The Mullahs who rule Iran are Islamic Extremist Fundamentalists. They hold the same belief system as the suicide bombers. They are short months from having a nuclear weapon.

Does Christian Fundamentalist extremism pose an equal threat? Not yet, anyway. In most Western democracies there is a long standing tradition of separation of church and state, even though being put under seige by the current crop of neocon knuckleheads.

I am not going to defend the abuses foisted on the world to make money. Greed has been at the heart of many unjust things done in the world, and religion has often been used as its justification. So has racism. Homosexuals have been persecuted for hundreds of years because, again, the "Bible condemns it."

I think religion of all types is man's most irrational construction, and his most dangerous. In a world of limitless opportunities to reduce suffering, disease, war and ignorance, religion stands as the greatest obstacle to our success as a species. And I am not hopeful that we can overcome it.