You conveniently ignore the fact that "the sword" has been instrumental throughout the history of Christianity as well. Constantine was about conversion through conquest and so was Charlemagne. So, incidentally, were Tomás de Torquemada, Christopher Columbus, Junipero Serra and a host of others we considers heroes of the faith.

I've run out of patience with the stupidity of lumping 1.6 billion people together as all having the same sinister intent. Common sense and human experience tell us (those of us who aren't blinded by bigotry, that is) that in any large religious group members will have a variety of motivations. Some belong for social reasons, some because they find serenity for daily living and some because they see a political/militaristic advantage. It's true of Christianity and it's true of Islam.

And please, let's save the blather about how the Quran is filled with calls to violence. Every major religion has complex and seemingly contradictory sacred texts.