I would urge you to actually research this position, rather than simply parroting what amounts to the current wisdom that Islam is a "religion of peace." It is not. It is an inherently evil religion, which commands its adherents to subjugate, dismember, and murder other human beings.
Contrarians like to point out that Christians [or Jews, or...] have done bad things too. The difference is that Christians are expressively forbidden to do those things, whereas Muslims are expressly required to do them.Good Christians don't behave this way. "Good" Muslims do.
...its just less advanced chronologically.
This claim is altogether preposterous. Muslims aren't living in a different world from the rest of us, and they seem perfectly capable of grasping the latest innovations in science, technology, economics, or whatever they apply themselves to.
At various times and in various places Muslims have shown themselves to be quite capable of living peacefully with other religions--especially if Islam wasn't the majority faith in a society, or if it served the economic interests of Muslims. So "chronology" quite simply isn't relevant.
and considering the literal meaning of certain Leviticus and Deuteronomy verses, Jesus's admonition about throwing stones comes to mind.
Quite apt, although you probably don't realize why. Whatever the "literal meaning" you're trying to attach to OT verses, all Christians have some version of progressive revelation, or the fulfillment of the covenant in the Person of Christ. There is no progressive revelation in Islam. The most "peaceful" and the most bloody-minded of the Koranic verses are equally binding. In fact, some of the bloodier ones actually take precedence, because Mohammed claimed they abrogated some of his earlier, more tolerant revelations.
and considering the literal meaning of certain Leviticus and Deuteronomy verses, Jesus's admonition about throwing stones comes to mind. Quite apt, although you probably don't realize why. Whatever the "literal meaning" you're trying to attach to OT verses, all Christians have some version of progressive revelation, or the fulfillment of the covenant in the Person of Christ.Jews don't...so by your logic are they also an inherently violent religion? Does their scripture make them evil like you seem to believe Islam's does? If not, why not?
And what about the New Testament?
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life
2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:11-12: “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence"
1 Corinthians 14:34-35: "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church"
-Eric