"The prophet Muhammad said that anyone who rejects Islam for another religion should be executed".  This was quoted by a judge at the recent big case in afghanistan regarding a man who converted to christianity and they wanted to execute the guy.

I'm not Christian, and personally I'm somewhat offended when the press of other countries deal with the US as a "christian" nation as opposed to say a democratic nation or a nation of many.  BUT, I still recommend to people to learn more about various religions for the good that religion can do for those who need it. 

Christians IMO, have a bad habit of personifying god.  They decide they "know" that god is a loving, caring god, and thus won't mind if they do whatever as long as they are good people.  The ego of these people to think that what they know and believe in, as opposed to any direct experience they have had in their lives, I find to be incredible.   But ultimately it helps them live at peace with themselves and I guess I prefer it to a bunch of quakers running around.

Are muslims the same?  Are the various muslims living in first world countries lying to themselves that their religion is a religion of peace so that they can sleep better at night without murdering their non-muslim friends aroudn them for not converting to islam?  OR, was Muhammad insane, perhaps brought so by being visited by a celestial being, and as the koran (to my limited knowledge) doesn't say those who convert away from Islam must be murderered so the religion really is one of peace?  Of course, like Christians, I guess I prefer muslims who decide to ignore the violent portions of their religion so they can be good neighbors.

I've seen articles saying that its unfair for Christians to say Islam is about violence when Christianity used to be the same.  But honestly, those people are just lying to themselves.  Sure there have been brutal killers in positions of power from all colors, nationalities, religions, and when that happens, people always unnecessarily end up dying.  BUT, Jesus himself was more of a ghandi type character, passive resistance and all that.  Muhammad was a warrior as well as the prophet. 

Of course, maybe my view as an outsider is wrong.  Maybe Islamic law doesn't require converts to be murdered.  Maybe Muhammad didn't say the quote that afghani judge said.  Maybe Saudi, Iran, Sudan, etc don't really have laws requiring murder in response to conversion.  Maybe its all just propaganda.  But I doubt it... 

Why can't everyone be buddhist and just get along? :)