Militants in Pakistan shot a school teacher's father because he refused to comply when local Taliban leaders demanded that he hike up his trousers to expose his ankles in the manner of the Prophet Muhammad, should ppl take religion to this extreme? (link)

No they shouldn't, this is why some people think religion is detrimental to humanity as a whole.

No. Never. Salaam

Being Religious is one thing, but killing someone is not tolerable in any religion, shame on the Taliban!

NO, obviously not, these people in no way represent Islam. Everybody sees one side, the bad side. Its so sad.

Prisoner - this is for you. If all the world thought as you did we wouldn't have a world; there would be no good and we wouldn't have freedom of religion and speech, etc. etc.

You need to look within yourself and ask why it is that you are afraid to stick up for others who cannot stick up for themselves.

If all the world fought for respect and fought against all who want to destroy others, whether it be through killing or through taking our freedoms away, then we wouldn't have to worry about someone molesting our children, we wouldn't need to lock our doors at night, and we wouldn't have to feel that the battle against murderers and liars is a battle that is just to great.

now thier just being silly, if muslims in canada dressed like muhammad, they would freez.

the fashion police in pakistan are bordering on being camp

Whether or not we think it is right or wrong, doesn't matter.
Different nations will always have different, cultures, believes, ect. Us saying how they live their lives is just the same as them saying what we do is wrong. We shouldn't be involved in their business anyway. If their people don't like it, then eventually they will rise up against their leaders. Just like any other nations.

Of course people shouldn't take religion to this extreme. Of course we in the west are only protected from similar types by law and tradition. We like to think that it couldn't happen here, but look at this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Reconstructionism

This movement has some very powerful and wealthy people associated with it. Like I said, only law and tradition keep it from happening here.

Any religion taken to an extreme is toxic. It seems there's a fine line between nourishing the soul and crushing it.

Absolutely NOT.

Pakistan was founded as an Islamic Republic - but even though it has an official religion, it was never meant to be ruled by extremists; the founders of the country, along with India, wanted a modernized democracy. If it is to permanently rid itself of the extremist threat (that is, if it really wants to) I think it will eventually have to become a secular republic, like Turkey.

They just haven't had their Ataturk yet...

When a person completely start idolising someone as his idol they start to copy that person. Some people go to this extent when they completely copy Holy Prophet (PBUH). Quran says that Holy Prophet is the prefect example for the mankind so we should follow the way Holy Prophet acted, talked and did other social activities but to follow his clothing sense is not compulsory for a Muslim. Taliban copy Holy Prophet completely even they grew beards because Holy Prophet had one. Like they say
Beard is in Islam, Islam isn't in the beard
They say if you love Holy Prophet dress like him. But did they not notice that Holy Prophet's most bitterest enemies like Abu Jahal also had a beard and wore the same clothes as Holy Prophet did he loved Holy Prophet (Pbuh)

This is the sort of Taliban behavior that is totally counter-productive. I realize this should probably be submitted as a question, rather than an answer, but would it have been so difficult for the Taliban to forego the shooting and just give this guy an over-the-head suspended wedgy? Seriously, not only would he remember the wedgy, but his trousers would have been left exposing his thighs.