[Destro]

Actually some Protestants, who are against icons and clergy between them and God and Moromons (polygamy, ban on alcohol - Smith's description of his revelation is almost identical to Muhamed's) are closer to Islamic thinking than the Orthodox. But that even then, those are superficial in nature.

If Islam resembles Orthodoxy in the sense of their view on God (which only has superficial resemblence to Orthodox theology) it is because Islam is a heresy derived from a mixture of Arab pagan, Jewish and a little of Eastern Christianity and mostly of the Arian heresy version.

[k2blader]

Actually some Protestants, who are against icons and clergy between them and God ... are closer to Islamic thinking than the Orthodox

I thought Muslims are highly dependent on their clerics and religious leaders.

Protestants believe in the priesthood of all believers. As Christ provided, we need no intermediary to commune with God.

[Phsstpok]

If Islam resembles Orthodoxy in the sense of their view on God (which only has superficial resemblence to Orthodox theology) it is because Islam is a heresy derived from a mixture of Arab pagan, Jewish and a little of Eastern Christianity and mostly of the Arian heresy version.

My reading of history, as well.

I have a peculiar view of religion, being cynical about all churches and religious leaders. I believe that religious leaders in the "right" faith, the one I hold to, are capable of committing the same evil as any other person. Likewise I believe that a religious leader in the "wrong" faith, such as Islam, can be a truly holy person doing God's work.

I think God will use the tool He chooses to use at the time and to talk to those He wants to talk to.

I don't buy for a moment that Mohammed was a prophet of God. In fact I think he served "the other guy," if he was serving anyone besides his own lust for power. By the same token I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find some Muslim Saints in heaven, if I ever make it there.

[olde north church]

First Pillar of Islam:
Allah is God and Mohammed is His Prophet.
implied:
1. Prophet is in near stature to deity.
Comparable to YHWH is God and Moses is His Prophet. That would be elevating the prophet to level of deity. Almost as if, there is no other God before Me but My messenger is close behind.
2. Prophet is only arbiter/controller/interpreter on law/dogma. There can be no ecumenical debate.
3. Dismisses the claimed connection to previous ME religious doctrine.
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Arianism was an understandable belief simply because of Buddhic/Hindic missionary influence in the ME.

[hosepipe]

[ Islam is a heresy derived from a mixture of Arab pagan, Jewish and a little of Eastern Christianity and mostly of the Arian heresy version. ](Gnosticism.. i.e. Arianism)

Some say thats a description of Roman Catholicism but Islam is much worse than that.. Jesus as I read him came to make ALL religion obsolete.. and DID.. Religion after all is just a club.. Only a Manic Pseudo-God needs praise.. or religion.. or worship..

[griffin]

"Actually some Protestants, who are against icons and clergy between them and God and Moromons (polygamy, ban on alcohol - Smith's description of his revelation is almost identical to Muhamed's) are closer to Islamic thinking than the Orthodox..."

God was the one who tore the veil in two, protestants did not.