quadraginta
Becoming Beth
This approach can go interesting places. Here's another list in Wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religious_populations#Four_largest_religions
If it can be demonstrated that the proportion of terrorist acts committed in the name of Islam is less than the proportion of adherents to Islam in the population, what would that prove to those arguing that Islam is a uniquely violent religion? Not much, I think, because they already know what they want to believe.
I think that much is missed by attempts to frame these issues in a religious context. Religion is not the man behind the curtain.
Michael Sheehan recently had this to say.
Especially since the end of the Cold War, a number of terrorist groups have portrayed their causes in religious and cultural terms. This is often a transparent tactic designed to conceal political goals, generate popular support and silence opposition. It feeds upon the resentment and suffering of some people who feel forgotten or marginalized in today's rapidly globalizing society.
I don't think he needed to add the introductory qualifier about "since the end of the Cold War", or limited the tactic to "terrorists". This has been true throughout history. At any given time, religion can be a useful tool to motivate some people. It's still just a tool, and ought to be viewed with the same sort of logic (and caution) which gun rights supporters use to defend firearms ownership ... it depends on how it is used, and which faith is employed is not any more relevant than which manufacturer made the firearm. Probably less relevant.