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I must say I think this article is a bit over the top, but that said, reading the posts of the Protestants concerning the scriptures it has occurred to me more than once that the Protestant view of those scriptures and to a lesser extent, their view of God, is pretty thoroughly Mohammedan. Now its apparent that Mohammedanism didn't learn to read and use the Koran from Protestants, they didn't create their vengeful and thoroughly capricious god under the influence of Protestants, and they didn't condemn icons or dispense with a priesthood under the influence of Protestantism. Nor is the converse true so far as I know. I do think that both represent a continuing heretical variation of both Jewish and Christian theology and praxis current at the time of their inception, however.

It's a really interesting suggestion, because the thing that is distinctive about the Protestant heresy (well, in its purest form - latter-day liberal Protestants certainly can't be accused of taking the Bible literally!) is its view of the scriptures. And that of course is a feature only of Islam; while Jews revere Jewish scriptures, they have always interpreted them, so this literalness did not come from the Jews.

One thing that always amazes me is how similar all heresies are, though; I guess there is only a limited number of things you can monkey around with if you feel called to heresy!

I was just in Rome last week, btw, enjoying all those beautiful ancient churches with their glorious Byzantine decoration and the great signs of unity in the orthodox faith. I was really overwhelmed when I thought of this stream of orthodox belief that comes to us from the Apostles. I can't understand why people don't want to be part of it or how they can bear to separate themselves from it to follow some shallow and constantly fragmenting heresy off to its dead end.

I must say I think this article is a bit over the top

I am in full agreement. But there are some very interesting points made in the article that are worth pondering. More than once on FR, I have seen it noted that Islam is a heresy of Christianity.

As always, your comments are much appreciated.

Actually, the substance of Islam and that of Catholicism is in line, whereas some implementations of Protestantism are similar to Islam.

The similarity is that Islam has no central authority and neither do Protestants, except for various denominations, but all united under the Protestant rejection of that central authority. One must be sympathetic to this because central authorities have not served the people very well over the centuries.

And, Islam shares this, generally. But, these similarities are only implementations of structure, not a basic approach or substance.

The substance of Islam is that Islam is the only way to God and all the rest are condemned to Hell. The way to God is precisely described as specific acts that must be performed under penalty of the death of the body.

The Catholic church is the only way to God and all the rest are condemned to Hell. The way to God is precisely described as specific acts that must be performed under penalty of excommunication, death of the soul.

Unfortunately, some Protestant denominations believe the same, but very few.

I do think that both represent a continuing heretical variation of both Jewish and Christian theology and praxis current at the time of their inception, however

I echo your sentiment about seeing a similar mindset but not any mutual influence of the two groups. Of course, they are not related in that sense.

However, as to being heretical, Judaism pretty much considers Christians as heretical polytheists of the worst kind.

I think that a three-way comparison, one also bringing in Judaism, would have enabled him to make his points more strongly. Islam is, I think, a heresy of Judaism rather than Christianity, since Mohammed' s religion took on its shape a Medina as he clashed with the Jews there. The Koran is, more or less, a substitution for the Pentateuch. That said, the fideism of modern evangelicalism, with its indifference to theology, and its
arminianism are points of similarity to Islamic fundamentalism.