If we say that God gives us free choice to choose good and bad, then why did God not give us the choice of being Jewish, much less being religious? Even if God considers it best for us to keep Torah, why does he force us to do it, with punishments for those who resist? In essence, can’t God let me REALLY choose my own path without trying to force me into it?

Your line of reasoning is similar to saying that it is unfair that God implanted within us a conscience that bothers us when we would like to do something bad. I should be free to indulge in my desire for bad things without being made to feel guilty! Can you imagine the type of world we would live in if everyone simply did exactly what he wanted?

Islam will kill you if you do not obey their laws. God does not necessarily kill you for disobeying Him. He lets you live in this world and even allows you to prosper. (Case in point, look at how many successful bad people there are in the world today.) So, it’s clear that He does not force you to accept His laws. If you choose not to believe in Him, your life continues as you would expect it to without faith.

Ultimately, however, the truth will manifest itself after your death. Either there will be a future world that is based on exacting reward or punishment (as the Torah tells us), or there will not. If not, then you have lost nothing. But if there is life after death, then you might end up compromising your eternal experience of bliss in the world to come! Now, is that a choice you really want to make?