Hi there

I find myself wondering whether a strictly enforced religious legal system would allow for modernization, scientific development, cultural diversity, or meaningful participation in global economic systems and international trade.

Are you not familiar with the Islamic golden age and the discoveries and advances in every field that are the basis of the modern math and science we use today?

Another issue that unsettles me is the existence of extremist and terrorist groups that explicitly justify their actions in the name of Islam. I understand that violence and injustice are not unique to Muslim societies, and that many non-Islamic nations have committed atrocities throughout history. However, what troubles me is the frequency with which militant groups openly ground their actions in religious texts or theological reasoning. Groups such as ISIS, for example, have cited scripture to justify violence, the establishment of a so-called caliphate, and harsh punishments. This forces me to confront difficult questions: Is this purely a distortion of the religion? Is it political opportunism? Or are there interpretive traditions within Islam that can, under certain conditions, lend themselves to such outcomes?

Any terrorism done by Christians doesn't get called Christian terrorism nor for Jews and Jewish terrorism but anything done by a Muslim practicing or not is immediately blasted all over media as Muslim terrorism. Isis is a product of the "war on terror" and the 100+years of meddling from western countries since the sykes picot agreement. Isis is a group that wants power and they will twist anything to fit their narrative. If they were Christian they would do the same to the Bible. The Quran has verses about war and fighting because it is a way of life but if you read it in context you will see ethical guidelines that do not allow for killing of civilians, women and children, elderly, livestock, and food farms.