Why religion isn't for me

Anyone who is living in the UK and not under a rock has probably heard of the plight of Gillian Gibbons, arrested and sentenced for supposedly insulting Islam by allowing her class of Sudanese schoolchildren to name a teddy after a prophet.

What has amazed me over the last couple of days are the protests being held by Sundanese Muslims. For a religion that's striving all over the world to improve its image, these people really aren't helping.

I ask, Muslim people, are those of other faiths expected to understand each and every intricacy of your faith? Is this one simple misunderstanding so great that her life should be ended for it? If that is the case, what becomes of the children, who were the ones who chose the name?

I think some people need to learn some tolerance, and to stop knee-jerking. This teacher didn't mean to offend you, she made a mistake, it's what being human is all about, and it's how we learn.

Why do so many use religion as an excuse for hatred?