What about the verses in the Qur'an about killing the infidels?

There are a number of verses often quoted out of context to try and show that islam is intollerant and aggressive. Here are some of the most widely used quotes:

"Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them." 

(Surah 9:5)

If you read verses 1-4 and 6 then you will see that this verse refers to the pagan tribes that had made peace treaties with the Muslims and then broken them by hostile acts towards the Muslims. Verse 4 makes it clear that this doesn't apply to those pagans that have not broken their treaties with the Muslims. Verse 6 instructs the Muslims to give protection to any pagan seeking it. 

 

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost."

(Surah 3:85) 

To understand this verse you need to understand the meaning of the word Islam. Islam means submitting your will to the will of God. A Muslim is someone (or something) in the state of Islam. As such Abraham is described as a Muslim as are all the prophets and their sincere followers. 

"Fight those who believe not in God nor the last day... nor acknowledge the religion of truth, from the people of the book, until they pay Jizya (penalty tax) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." 

(Surah 9:29) 

This verse concerns the particular group described in the verse who were hostile to the Muslims. This verse directs the Muslims to take them on and fight them until they offer no more resistance to the Muslims and demonstrate this by paying the Jizya. The Jizya is essentially a symbolic tax paid by those who can afford it and who are not expected to fight on the side of the Muslims in a war.

"..Strike terror [into the hearts of] the enemies of God and your enemies."

(Surah 8:60)

This concerns the making of war and how to fight battles. The following verse reads:

 "But if the enemy incline towards peace, then you (must also) incline towards peace, and trust in God for He is the One that hears and knows (all things)"

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