[CaptainHaplo]

OLC - most major religions has a foundation.

For protestant Xtians, its the Bible. For Muslims, its the Quran (though many other "books/documents" exist.

To understand a religion, you cannot ask a person who follows the religion, because their view is based merely on their own understandings and teachings of what the foundation states. Often, these teachings are from a pastor, or imam, who interpretes the foundation themselves, then teaches as they see fit, or "are led" to.

Thus, a person who tries to explain religion is not able to give you an objective view of that religion.

So, to understand what a religion is, you must look at its foundation. That means you need to read the documentation that the religion is based upon. Doing so will give you the clearest possible view of the religion. Once you have the foundation, THEN you can discuss the various interpretations with others.

By reading the Quran, you will find a document that espouses consistent violence and subjegation of others, using religion and matters of faith as the rationale. The early history of the Bible is very similiar. The Islamic idea of law - aka - sharia - has its parallells in the Old Testament. However, the OT became balanced roughly 2 Millenia ago with the birth, teachings and death of Jesus. It went from being a violence and control based religion (aka a political power roadmap) to being a proponent of a life of peace and forgiveness. Islam has no corellary. Its foundation still does nothing more than promote power over others by violence and force.

It is that fact, and I challenge you to read both foundations with an open mind to verify it - that makes Islam by definition an "extremist religion" by today's standards.