I agree that no state or country should be founded on a single religion, up to and including Christianity. No man or woman should have to hide there name, or keep their beliefs secret for fear of persecution. Everywhere should allow full uninhibited access to all information pertaining to the different faiths, beliefs and of course the sciences. There will always be indoctrination within families, but at least if the information is out there, people would have the chance to make there own decisions.
As to how the woman are treated within Islam tradition, it is very different to what Christians may be used to, but if you speak to any Muslim, they would disagree that they think lowly of them, but rather that men and woman are different, and should be treated differently. I don't agree with the way that Muslim women are treated, but I didn't grow up in that culture. People who have grown up in it don't see it as great of a problem as those outside of that circle do. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, I'm saying that telling them it's wrong isn't going to change their mind, as far as they know the way they are doing things is right, and everybody else is wrong.
If you really want to convince someone to change their position on any matter, don't point out the flaws in their position, but rather highlight the qualities and benefits of your own. Don't tell a Muslim his belief is evil, tell him why you think yours is not.
