This topic is somewhere in between Politics and Religion, so I will post it here and let a moderator move it to the forum he/she sees fit.

I will lead off by saying that I am not the most versed person when it comes to the religion of Islam, so please do not take offense to this as a shot at the religion per se. It's more about people and mentality than directly about the religion. I am just wanting to know some things, and what better way to find out than to ask, right?

My question is:

Why is a religion that is said to be peaceful not stand up against violence that is perpetrated by people claiming to be of that religion?

More specifically, why is it that we see public outcry from Muslims all over the world, even death threats, over a caricature and over some words said by the Pope but we don't see massive protests or outcry over bombings/beheadings/killing all done while clearly claiming to be doing so as an act of religious faith?

I know that was a long ass sentence, but I couldn't break it up.

This is just a simple conversation starter and it's not meant to give ANYONE an opportunity to insult or bash Muslims. So please, don't make this into an US vs THEM type of debate. I have friends that are Muslim, some are even in IA, so don't make this an insult fest or I'll ask for it to be closed.

Anyone?