Sarah:
Did it ever occur to you that maybe the "Islam" that you're being taught is not the real thing? Maybe at such a young age, they don't want you to know what Islam is really all about, because it might turn you off?
I don't study Islam, but often times, we can see what the religion is by the actions of it's practitioners. We don't see any Amish people hijacking planes.
The fact is that no Muslim country tolerates non-Muslims (perhaps with the exception of Turkey). For centuries, Jews have lived under Muslim rule under "Dhemi" status, which essentially equates them with dogs. This, according to Muslims, was considered a protected class. You gotta wonder how the unprotected class lived.
Why is it that Americans, who risked and gave their lives in 1991 to protect the "moderate" Muslim country of Saudi Arabia were not allowed to display their religion (thus enabling a proper memorial in the event of their death) while in Saudi Arabia? Why were female soldiers not allowed to leavetheir bases?
A man in Pakistan was accused of having sex with his consenting adult girlfriend. The sentence? The Muslim court ruled that since he shamed the girl's family by defiling their sister/daughter, he would be forced to watch as they (his girlfriend's family) gang raped his sister.
I watched a video recently (it was all over the web) of a young boy (he must have been 5 of 6) having a truck drive over his arm (while an adult held him down), because he was convicted of stealing. This was not some renegade impostor of Islam, it was a sentence carried out by a Muslim court in Iran.
When Arafag signed a deal with Israel (in 9/93) he referred to a concept in Islamic law known as a "hudna," which allows one to enter a peace treaty with the enemy only if the intent is to weaken the enemy, and then break the "hudna" when the enemy is weak. This carries a maximum allowance of seven years. Hence, in 10/2000, Arafag launched what became known as the Oslo War.
Never mind what we think of Arafag, but tell us about your knowledge of a "hudna."
On second thought, what do most Muslims think of Arafag? Judging by the turn out at his funeral, I would say many Muslims see this waste of human tissue as a hero.
There are a million more instances where the leaders of Islam clearly confirm for us what Islam is. While you call them impostors, they have the backing and support of the Muslim population, by and large.
How many Muslims raced to their Mosques to pray for the victims, after 9/11? Now, you might claim that you and many others did. But there were no press releases, no attempt to publicly show any solitude, or solidarity. On the other hand, we saw thousands of Muslims dancing in the streets all over the world on 9/11/01. (By 9/12, the network executives made sure the footage was no longer aired, but it was too late. The world had already seen it.)
When the two Israelis were beaten to death in an Arab police station, and their bodies were dropped out of the window for the mob to trample on, did your Imam give a speech at your mosque, clarifying that this is a disgrace to Islam?
When mobs rampaged all over Europe, because they were insulted by the Pope, did anyone in your Mosque declare that as a peaceful religion, it is wrong and un-Muslim to use violence against Christians, just because their leader uttered an insult?
One last question, Sarah. Please do me, yourself, and everyone else in this forum a favor. Research the fame of Salah-A-Din. What was so special about him, and what makes him revered in Islam?