[Sherman Logan]

I do not disagree. My sole argument is that a religion does not cease to be a religion because it has strongly negative aspects, or is mixed in with what we more commonly think of as political or cultural issues.

I don’t have to like a religion for it to be a religion. There is no rule out there that requires religions to all be cute, cuddly and loving.

Which is pretty much my point. We really ought to think about how we should deal with religions that are bad and negative. Classifying all religions as innocuous and “good” prevents us from doing so.

Here’s Merriam-Webster definition:

: the belief in a god or in a group of gods

: an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods

: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group

Nothing there that requires goodness or non-violence. And all quite obviously apply as much to Islam as to Christianity or any other religion. Indeed, many sects of Buddhism would not meet the first definition.

[Olog-hai]

There’s still the difference between religion and cult. Size matters not.