Religion of peace my arse

Well I've been off for a week alternately putting my claws up, pottering around northern France and digging trenches for water pipes. So as I trundled off in the dark for the train this morning I was wondering if the world had become just maybe a little less insane in the intervening seven or eight days.

Not a chance.

First thing I see on the beeb is this

An advertising campaign promoting British Muslims as integrated citizens who reject extremism has been launched. Islam is Peace - formed after the bombings in London in July 2005 - has initially placed adverts on the capital's buses and Underground trains. They show a range of Muslims - including a policewoman, a Scout group and the chef Michael Barry - with the slogan "Proud to be a British Muslim". Organisers say research shows many Britons associate Islam with terrorism.

Yes, we associate Islam with terrorism because it's followers of Islam that are fucking blowing us up. We used to associate Irish Republicanism with terrorism for exactly the same reason. You want "us" to stop thinking of you as a load of bearded murderers, stop planting fucking bombs in our cities, that'll do the trick. But that's kind of easier said than done isn't it? For although you're keen to say...

The group insists that the religion demands that its followers live in peace with their neighbours within non-Muslim societies.

It actually doesn't. In fact it says the complete opposite. Not only does it explicity say that Muslims can't be friends with non-Muslims...

# 3:28 Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from God: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them.

# 3:118 O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: They will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: Rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths: What their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom.

# 4:144 O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer God an open proof against yourselves?

# 5:54 O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily God guideth not a people unjust.

But you're actually supposed to convert us, by force if we don't submit willingly...

# 5:33 The Punishment for those who oppose Allah and his messenger is : Execution or Crucifixion or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land

# 8:38-39 Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them). And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily God doth see all that they do.

# 9:5 But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

# 9:29 Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya [tribute] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

# 9:123 O ye who believe! fight the unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that God is with those who fear Him.

# 47:4 Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been God's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of God,- He will never let their deeds be lost.

And that's from two minutes Googling.

So, ye believers, you will will I hope forgive this little dragon's cynicism when you come the "Religion of Peace" line, because it quite clearly isn't.