[Shadow44]

Islam already resembles Protestantism in that it is decentralized, based on consensus of the community, and textual literalism.

The problem is that it historically has been the hadiths, and Islamic jurisprudence that hid Islam’s brutality.

Many later Caliphs cared more about administration than faith. So they supported the idea of symbolism and rationalism since they could drink wine, and get away with things forbidden.

Unfortunately, the masses reacted against it by adopting the kind of hardliner thinking we see today.

[Shadow44]

NB: That comparison doesn’t mean that Islam is the same as Protestantism. Obviously there’s a world of difference besides such superficial similarities.

[Cronos]

Islam already resembles Protestantism in that it is decentralized, based on consensus of the community, and textual literalism. --> Not completely. What you describe is Sunni Islam. Shia Islam has its ayatollahs who lead -- not quite Popes, but different from Sunnis -- among the shia you also have Ismailis who follow the family line of the Aga Khan, the Bohris who have their own Syedna leader. Then you have Ibadis who have their own Imams. And I don't consider DRuze or Alavis to be Islamic -- more a syncretic religion

[Cronos]

The problem is that it historically has been the hadiths, and Islamic jurisprudence that hid Islam’s brutality. -- you are correct