[NYer]

Hilaire Belloc also considered Islam to be a “peculiar heresy”.

He was correct. Just had this discussion with my pastor over the weekend. Islam stems from a monk who did not believe in the divine nature of Jesus Christ. That did not stop him from proselitizing the Arabs who worshipped many gods. He taught them that there is but one God. The first part of the Qu'uran ends with the writer saying that God's inspiration for his writings ended at a certain point. That would have been when the monk died. The 2nd part of the Qu'uran is more of a political book on how to rid the world of those infidels who do not preach and practice the one God (the word Allah means God but the Muslims have twisted the word into also being the name of God). Wish I could provide more details. It was a lengthy and fascination discussion. And, oh yes, my pastor is from the Middle East.

[sheik yerbouty]

I find your pastor’s assertion regarding Islam fascinating. Is there any more information regarding that?

[flying_bullet]

Islam stems from a monk who did not believe in the divine nature of Jesus Christ.

I'd genuinely be interested to hear more information about this lineage. What denomination are you/your pastor?

[redgolum]

The monk was an Arian. Mohammad grew up among a lot of exiled heretics and Jews, and it shows in his writings.