Originally Posted by JavaBlack

Religious beliefs are subject to human nature. They do not exist outside of it.
That is exactly why they change.

Pay close attention to theology. Note the use of "the sword" as a metaphor for Christians. It's considered purely metaphoric.
But you and I both know... if Christians felt they needed to kill, if they needed a rationalization... the metaphor would become literal.

On the other hand, most Christians are not huge on actively converting others. Despite the fact that it's explicit in the bible and is taken rather literally in most theology.
Why? Because it is disruptive and it conflicts with other desires Christians as humans in the context of modern Western society.

So why don't most Muslims kill if it's so embedded? Because that is not worth it to them... just doesn't seem right. It conflicts with other beliefs and desires. It also conflicts with other parts of their religious texts.
So there will be movement toward changing the interpretation into symbolism, jihad into a "spiritual combat" without bloodshed. Why? Because it is more desirable to more believers.
The violent sects will be limited to areas where that violence is in demand for other political reasons... and thus desirable to many in the population.

So the best course of action is to let things go, make life harder on terrorists when possible... easier on regular people when possible. Lessen the factors that put violence in demand, increase factors that make violence undesirable and counterproductive.
Let people gloss over Muhammed with an idealized iconic figure that "stands for peace". Why do people take such issue with that? If they believe he is some kind of peacenick, they will strive to be like that.

I think it's pretty silly when you see the Islamophobes arguing against a Muslim who is denouncing terror and stating Muhammed to be a man of peace... and somehow thinknig that this is productive in stopping terrorism.
And yet I have seen such arguments. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
Let them believe their alleged prophet is a man of peace... That's how the religion will become more peaceful. History be (*)(*)(*)(*)ed. It's a religion! Does it really matter if they have an accurate assessment of their alleged prophet (If I cared, I'd sugest the first thing they do is stop thinking he talked to God... same goes for Christians with Jesus)?
No. What matters is that they become more peaceful.

It gets me thinking that some people don't have their priorities straight. Many see the Muslims as a market for selling their own religion by whatever means necessary... or at least reaffirming their own beliefs to themselves. I personally have no stake in that crap. I'm resigned to living in a world mostly populated with monotheists obsessed with some alleged "Holy Land" and who think I'm going to Hell.
I say if people are believing nonsense (and they will and you will not change that nor the type of nonsense they believe), that nonsense might as well lead them toward peace.

And it will over time, provided the greater structure of the world order is conducive to peace.