Islam -- the first pyramid scheme?

In an article that is absolutely scathing about Muhammad, the founder of Islam, David Wood details a whole bunch of very ugly facts about the historical Muhammad, and insists that these facts be taken into consideration when examining the religion (something Islamists currently refuse to do):

Islam is currently in a similar situation. Muhammad's empire of faith has managed to thrive in the modern world for one simple reason: Muslims have kept Muhammad's dark past a secret. Indeed, they have gone beyond keeping it a secret; they have somehow convinced themselves (and many others) that Muhammad was an outstanding moral example, perhaps even the greatest moral example of all time. Perpetuating this fraud has been, in my opinion, the most stupendous deception in world history.

(I mention the pyramid scheme in the title of my post because one of the facts is that Muhammad, rather than financing his new religion the frugality and good works, apparently turned to crime, and used the promise of ill-gotten gains as an enticement to potential converts.) The article is interesting on its own terms, but I find it especially interesting because of a conversation in this blog a few days ago. DQ asked how it is that we're forgiving of the Founding Fathers having been slaveholders, while we're unforgiving of the misogyny that characterizes modern Islam. (That's a really broad rundown of DQ's question. You should read what he really asked, here.) I'd be interested to hear your takes on whether Islam, the religion, should be run through the filter of the Prophet's own personal acts, or if it should be accepted simply based on the Koran, irrespective of Muhammad's own pecadillos. Talking to Technorati: Islam, Muhammad, Mohammad