I've thought about the issues with Islam for many years.

I've concluded that one has to separate the doctrine of Islam from the people who are Muslims. Muslims are just people like you and me but they identify with the doctrine of Islam to varying degrees. 

It confuses people because there are many Muslims who are wonderful, useful, kind people but it cannot really be argued that there are not Muslims who are dangerous. 

I've come to understand that the issue is the individuals relationship to Islam. Hold it lightly and things are ok. Take it literally and big trouble comes. 

Essentially if you are a Muslim you have two choices. 

One - be a good person. But by the definition entrenched in Islam that makes one a bad Muslim. Islam requires death for apostates etc etc. There is not any grey area in the doctrine of Islam.

Two - be a good Muslim (according to the Quran, Hadith etc) But that makes one a criminal by any western  standard. 

Essentially the Quran needs a rewrite.