Why do countries in the middle east allow religion to have such an influence?

[downbeatplumb]

Yes, I understand this is the case here in the U.S. However, it is not extreme, we are at least a secular society. Now why is it those nations such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and many others allow Islam to have such a heavy influence and basically control their government and everyone that lives within it. Essentially, why is it hundreds of nations all over the world have become more secular, meanwhile the majority of the Middle East hangs on to Islam. Same with parts of Africa as well, however I am more interested in the middle east when it comes to this topic.

Its a toxic mix of the culture being infested by religion and vice versa. Its a vicious circle of one reinforcing the other with centuries of blind indoctrination and constant repression added to weed out the wayward.

If anywhere needs a wall its the middle east to keep em all in.

[Ruckus123]

Because they are very religious. But there are many factors, leaders emm, just lack of questioning i think.

Like examples would be Christian history have had more questioning which led to a reform of questioning basic morals. To sample this, USA and Turkey, both have secular as a government but are very religious in terms of demographics. The difference is if like one guy said people doing abortion should die, most i can only assume by US population would call that guy an idiot. Meanwhile in Turkey while being secular, if it was stuff like stoning for some crime, i have more of a feeling they would ask what crime did that guy do? They wouldnt like ask questions that this stuff is immorale etc. I mean there do exists some critics of hadith sunnah traditions, but as far as i know this is just the way it is in this day and age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC4TuYrSNJs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj3iwEfrQ00