Reply #4: Here are some verses from the searchable Koran online:

[DemBones DemBones]

<8.12> When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.

<8.38> Say to those who disbelieve, if they desist, that which is past shall be forgiven to them; and if they return, then what happened to the ancients has already passed.
<8.39> And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do.

(This says fight them until they convert, suggests Allah will smite with them if they don't convert. Other verses specifically say Allah will smite those whom you smite.)


<8.65> O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.

9.5] So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

(The latter part of this is obviously referring to forced conversion. If captives "repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate," i.e., become Muslims, "leave their way free to them.")

<9.14> Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing people.

9.29] Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
<9.30> And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!

(This specifically calls upon Allah to destroy Jews and Christians.)

<9.52> Say: Do you await for us but one of two most excellent things? And we await for you that Allah will afflict you with punishment from Himself or by our hands. So wait; we too will wait with you.

<9.84> And never offer prayer for any one of them who dies and do not stand by his grave; surely they disbelieve in Allah and His Apostle and they shall die in transgression.

<9.123> O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/koran/browse.html


Given those verses, I think that it is, sadly, accurate to talk about "spreading Islam with a sword."

I also read that Muslims see the world as divided into two parts: Dar Al-Salaam (House of Peace) and Dar
Al-Harb (House of War.) They consider Muslim lands to belong to the House of Peace and all other lands to belong to the House of War, until they are completely subdued by Muslims.

I am not saying all Muslims today believe in killing "infidels" but it seems obvious from events in recent years that many do and it's difficult for us to know how widespread the belief is.

I wish there were no religious extremists or ideological extremists bent on destroying others. It's fine to want to share your beliefs with others but not to force them on anyone, certainly not to kill others for not believing as you do. We can't afford such intolerance in today's world as it could all too easily destroy the planet. I hope for peace. I hope all people will realize we must have peace.