Such a wonderful religion of peace

[xmasbaby]

I cannot understand why the world keeps condoning Islam as a peaceful religion when it so obviously isn't. Mohammad was basically a bandit who made his fortune through hijacking caravans and using force and threats against those who would not accept his views. We keep hearing the fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion, but is that surprising when you are not allowed to change to another religion (or none) or else you are considered an apostate and condemned to death? No other religion on earth expects so much and I am shocked that so many people 'convert' to such a religion as this and then espouses it to be a religion of peace. In my view, it is anything but. I personally don't like any religions, but at least you are allowed to change your religious beliefs as you see fit, but with islam, once you are a muslim there is no going back. How could anyone accept such a thing?