Ruby, the thing you seem to be overlooking is the mindset of Islam. Islam is not simply a religion - it's a complete way of life and its adherents, male and female, actually think in a totally different way to those of us who have been born and bred with western values. Why do you think that quite a large proportion of Muslims living in this country - even many of those born in this country - feel that 9/11 and 7/7 were justified? Do you consider such a response rational? If western extremists had carried out similar atrocities in our name and for our cause, would you be happy to justify their actions and the result of their actions?
You compare the Christianity of 500 years ago with Islam of today, but there is no comparison, and nothing could be further from the truth. I'll agree that Christianity has been responsible for some appalling crimes against humanity, but if you look at the western world of 500 years ago, and even further back, you will find some incredibly strong and powerful women - Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Elizabeth I, to name but two. Islam today bears no comparison whatsoever to the Christianity of the past. I don't know if you have ever travelled to Islamic countries, but I have, and I can tell you our western way of life and our western values have nothing whatsoever in common with Islam - and never will have.