Islamic Spin: "Violence and Aggression... Absolutely Against the Teachings of Islam." Ayuh.

The arrest of a local Muslim in connection with an alleged terrorist plot against malls has me captivated. I like a good espionage-type story and I really like it when it involves a major religion. The alleged conspirator, Tarrek Mehanna, was a teacher at a Worcester Islamic school. Now the school has issued a statement, which the T&G published in this story (http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091022/NEWS/910220676). One quote leaped off the page:

“Violence and aggression in any way, shape or form is absolutely against the teachings of Islam”

Um,

“Kill disbelievers wherever you find them. If they attack you, then kill them. Such is the reward of disbelievers.” – The Koran, 2:191

“War is ordained by Allah, and all Muslims must be willing to fight, whether they like it or not” – ibid 2:216

“Apostates will be cursed by Allah, angels, and men. They will have a painful doom.” – ibid 3:86-88

“We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve.” – ibid 3:151

“If you die fighting for Allah, you'll be rewarded in heaven” – ibid 3:157

“Have no unbelieving friends. Kill the unbelievers wherever you find them.” – ibid 4:89

“If the unbelievers do not offer you peace, kill them wherever you find them. Against such you are given clear warrant.” – ibid 4:91

“Cut off the hands of thieves. It is an exemplary punishment from Allah.” – ibid 5:38

“Those who disbelieve will be forced to drink boiling water, and will face a painful doom.” – ibid 6:70

“How many a township have We destroyed! As a raid by night, or while they slept at noon, Our terror came unto them.” – ibid 7:4-5

“When you fight with disbelievers, do not retreat. Those who do will go to hell.” – ibid 8:15-16

“Slay the idolaters wherever you find them.” – ibid 9:5

“Fight the disbelievers and hypocrites. Be harsh with them. They are all going to hell anyway.” – ibid 9:73

So yeah, I can see why a reasonable person could conclude that violence and aggression are against the teachings of Islam. Right. Sure. How silly of me for thinking otherwise (rolling my eyes).

Source: http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/Quran/cruelty/long.html

It's not that I'm suggesting Islam's teachings are any more or less violent or aggressive than those of other religions. I just find it tiresome that Muslim apologists routinely profess that their faith is one of peace, claiming that violence perpetrated in its name is the product of extremists. And I can't allow the statement issued by this Islamic school to go unchallenged.

They said, unequivocally, that "violence and aggression in any way, shape, or form..." is unislamic. So how can one reconcile that statement against the very central text of the faith? Is the Koran not one of Islam's "teachings?"