Don't say that I thought you were the colonel of nuance.
Surely you can see that every system is not cut and dried and that throughout the epochs we have all had to deal with the forces of laxity and the forces of extremism.
During the Spanish inquistion they accused the Muslim system of laxity and tolerance! Times change.
Look at socialism it manifests itself differently in different eras and different societies. You will find it manifesting one way in Europe and is different than say China who consider themselves socialist.
I think that we have to guard Islam from both laxity and from rigidity/extremism.
There are no cut and dried hard rules like some Christians wish
hence they will call our attempt to explain juristic differences as deception
Sorry we can not give you a yes/no answer because different Islamic empires and societies manifested these juristic differences.
The Prophet peace be upon us warned about going to extremes in faith.
I am saddened that some regimes and some people try to use any religion to further wrong aims.
However if someone is fair minded they can realize that Islam is a belief system and that they should not conflate it with the actions of some people.
Ultimately, the most important point about this path is:
That differences of opinion over juristic matters do not negate the knowledge of God in the Quran.
2:256
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut (Falsehood)and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.