Most folks in the US probably have a less-than-stellar view of Islam, and that is to be expected because most people in the US don't know a whole lot about it all.
There are I suppose many reasons why an America might reject Islamic Law, or the Muslim Religion regardless of what sect.
As an American, I can appreciate that because living in a country with freedom, liberty, choice, and the ability to pursue happiness, I myself would not wish to live under Islamic Law, or Sharia law, nor have it as the foundation of my personal belief system and ideals.
Nevertheless, I'd like to discuss one aspect of Islamic Living, without getting into the much broader over all topic.
The issue I'd like to discuss has to do with drinking alcohol, and eating pork.
But first let me tell you a little story if I might.
Back in 1999 I was running a franchise company, and our franchisee in Silicon Valley was Muslim, and although completely Americanized, he did follow the basic tenants of Islam - the five time per day prayers, and he abstained from alcohol, and pork.
In any case, one day after doing some marketing we went out to eat, and there was a food court we stopped at, it was his turn to buy lunch.
I ordered a "White Russian" from the bar, and Sweat and Sour Pork from the food court vendor.
He bought some juice and noodles for his lunch, and he refused to pay, I thought to myself, why that SOB! While I was ordering, he made a comment about my choice of drink for my lunch, and then asked why I wanted to eat pork, he said that pigs were such dirty animals.
Back then, I was oblivious to Islamic Belief, and truly, I didn't really care, as far as I was concerned all religions were made up stories, and since I practiced none, I just didn't worry about their beliefs, anyone's beliefs, and I often commanded workers to work weekends and on Sunday regardless of their religion.
Not long ago, someone that was born into Islam, and although not really practicing it, still would not drink alcohol, or pork - is it really that bad not to eat certain kinds of meat, or drink alcohol? Well, if you wish to fault someone for their religious beliefs, that's your deal, but when it comes to consuming alcohol consider this for a moment; realize that alcohol is basically a neurotoxin, so it's not wise to partake anyway.
And although we are told that a little bit of wine can be good for you, too much alcohol obviously tends to make people do really stupid things, as we can see in observation of society.
Next, eating forked-hoofed animals is not only a problem in Islam, other cultures and religions find it problematic also.
And, also realize that the DNA in pigs is somewhat close to humans, so if there was a bad disease, such as swine flu around, or other issue, it could be a problem to have pigs around, which maybe why many cultures found it unacceptable and then adopted those rules into their religion, plus, pigs eat a lot, and if a group of people live in a desert region where food is scarce, pigs are not economically feasible to grow the meat.
Jared Diamond has an interesting chapter in his book Collapse which goes into this sub-topic, which is perhaps of interest, at least I'd recommend that you read it.
Could be also why the Hindu's decided against eating cows long ago? In the US we pump the livestock full of steroids to bulk them up faster, making them more economically feasible, but in the case of a pig, that's a problem due to the closeness to human DNA.
Anyway, pork is actually high in protein, and meat over all is good to have in a human diet, so is white meat, which pork is, but what the heck think how many people are total vegetarians too.
It's a choice, and you are allowed to eat what you want in the US, I'd say that's good to be able to choose, even if you choose not to partake.
So, if anyone wants to fault the Islamic way of life, I'd say they should probably find something else, and leave the alcohol and pork issue alone.
That's my thinking here.
Please consider all this.