If you read the Koran you realise it's just the Old Testament, that's been heavily messed about with in many places by translators with an agenda.
Not read the old testament 
But given that Islam claims to be a follow on of the same message/faith with course corrections. I would expect there to be a great deal in common.
Just thought it worth posting something from someone with a more in-depth understanding, given the current troubles. See lots of claims that Islam is a religion evil blah blah, based on a very shallow analysis (or an agenda of course).
Ok if it's not evil nip over to some full on Muslim country or parts of this country and tell them all your packing it all in and leaving the faith to become a Gedi night
oh and good luck you may just need to be a Gedi knight to get away alive
And don't for god sake tell them your gay, unless you can fly from high buildings
I'm feeling some Deja-Vu here. Ground already covered. Memory not as good as it used to be Gordon, or have you been drinking (flogging offence) 
The Apostasy thing is interesting, many people don't think the penalty applies in current circumstances. The argument being that it was tantamount to treason in the context it was being applied.
As far as homosexuality is concerned, no explanations or excuses on this one. It is clear cut not allowed in Islam. And lots of other faiths to be fair.
There are several 'Christian' countries where you wouldn't be treated much better. In Europe, some parts of the church seem to have caved in under pressure and taken a strange (to me) 'who am I to judge' approach rather than condemning it as sinful.
From an Islamic perspective, one thing I notice when looking at 'proper application' (personal observation, could be wrong), is there is a significant emphasis on proof and witnesses etc.
So in practical terms it is as much about not spreading wrong practices as the acts themselves. So, though the acts themselves would be sinful (clear cut), it is more the publicising and encouraging that is likely to land you in trouble (in worldly terms).
Zuber, just watched your video and I can honestly say it's the most mixed up faith on the planet by the sound of things. Millions believe one bit millions believe other bits. Also all sorts of different translations are going on. One top man says one thing one says another. This bit is wrong this bit is ok. What a mess when you all cant understand the one book. My book is much more easy to understand, have a read.
Gods don't exist and if they do we are still better off without them , the end.
Keeping in mind that the faith is intended to be applicable to judgement day, you can understand the need for some of it to be guiding rather than specific, and the need to reflect on it's meaning and intent in differing contexts. Hence the emphasis of those that study the faith in depth on looking at the context of the various elements of revelation, look at the hadith for further understanding etc.
We do seem to have lost a great deal of the intellectual capability when it comes to interpretation and application of principles. And we get the 'do it exactly like they did 1400 years ago' brigade, which I don't have a problem with for some things (e.g. worship) but need to apply in appropriate context for others.
Going back to Islam and the whole IS thing.
It's worth pointing out that historically, Muslims have managed to get on with those of other faiths rather well. Not perfect, but very good relative to others of the same times etc.
Obvious examples, some of the Non Muslim communities currently being attacked in all this chaos. They are actually still there in the first place, even after millennia of Muslim rule. Bethlehem still has it's church for example. d is an excellent example on the conquest of Jerusalem.
Again, personal observation. I think one mistake many Muslims make is to say 'something was done then, so it is ok now'.
So, for example. Lets take slavery. You couyld say, slavery was allowed during the times of the prophet, so slavery is ok...
But Islam didn't introduce slavery. Slavery already existed. Islam introduced restrictions and direction on better treatment of those in slavery. Encouraged the freeing of slaves.
So, for people to reintroduce slavery and say it's ok because it was ok 1400 years ago isn't really going with the spirit of it.
That (to me), in part is the difference between looking for the truth in the Quran etc. and looking for justification for what you want to do. Can't remember the exact quote etc. but it goes something along the lines of people will find in it what they seek...
Moving to your last point.
The problem with 'Gods don't exist...' (apart from being wrong) is that (imho) it leads to gradual decline, since there is no fundamental guiding principle and everything is subject to gradual erosion without an original source to draw on to help reverse/correct this.
Ultimately, if we are to go Darwinian, then it is just survival of the fittest and every man for himself. With some collective/co-operative working from time to time as it suits our needs. But first sign of long term advantage and dump it in favour of personal benefit.
Besides, what's the point, it's all just a bunch of accident (something you can relate to Gordon ) ...
Apologies for the long winded reply, more me thinking out loud that anything else...
Edited by Zuber, 24 July 2015 - 12:13 PM.
