Voltaire, Since the time of its inception Islam has been spread through violence and aggressive proselytizing - starting with Muhammad. Bin Laden was no madman or enemy of Islam as some (including Obama) try to claim. He was a Muslim following the Qur'an as it is meant to be followed - quite literally, and following in the tradition of Muhammad whose life Muslims believe they should emulate. There are moral pitfalls for modern Muslims in this since some things he did would now be considered morally repugnant (such as marrying a six year old girl) while at the same time calling for harsh punishment against homosexuals, apostates and non-believers, and giving women a legal value of half a man.
History shows that "Muslim Lands" were not always thus, they were gained through violent conquest. An interesting history of early Islam here:
