attack Islam based on the actions of militant fundamentalists. "Religion of peace my butt," they say "they are intolerant animals" they say. Then many of those same people will on the weekends, express that theirs is the one true faith, and they must depose secular government leaders in favor of those who would use their position to build the policies of the government on the foundation of their religion. Wahabbi Islam was started in this way back in the 17th century. A small group of people was fed up with what they perceived was an increasingly secularizing Sunni Muslim faith. They began calling for strict interpretations of the Koran, and for their government leaders to run their lands according to Sharia law. And they remained a minor sect of Islam until the House of Saud, a wahabbi house, seized control of Mecca and Medina. Once oil was discovered in 1924, the royal family began to drift from their extreme wahabbi roots (to trade with other non-Mulsim nations they had to recognize their right to exist rather than seek their downfall for not also being Mulsim governments), but the clerics of the House of Saud never did. They struck a bargain with the family to get a free hand in the religious affairs of the country (and by extention the primary influence throughout the Sunni Muslim world) and they would co-exist with the Sauds rather than orchestrate their overthrow in favor of a less secular government. But, of course, a large percentage the vast wealth generated by the oil fields would fund the Saudi religious schools through which Wahabbi Islam would be spread. And it's been funding its spread ever since. When people ask why so many Muslims are extremists, that is why. When they ask why the Islamic World, once a bountiful source of scientific and mathematical discovery has been stuck in neutral for so long, that is why. Arab secularism - especially science - has been steadily attacked from within for many decades. Once religious extremism achieved a foothold in government, it will always push past the bounds the minor sect. All it needs is large voice and monetary resources and it can purchase the tools it needs to spread its influence.