The more we compare Sunni Islam and its various sects today, and Catholic Christianity around 1500 CE, the more parallelisms we see between the two, with a strong entrenchment of religion with government, punishments and a reliance on codefied sharia law (which has been adjusted numerous times throughout history according to various interpretations of the Qu'ran) to enact what most people see as cruel actions for often the slightest behaviors, endemic warfare, the oppression of women, and growing use of a new revolutionary technology for communication (the internet, today's version of the printing press). While there may not be indulgences, the ability to pay out of crimes with money according to sharia law, and the ability to go to heaven through acts of extreme violence (according to fringe fundamentalist groups) can also serve as frighteningly similar reminders of what happens when you mix secular actions with religion.
Seeing that Islam is about 600 years younger than Christianity, the timing seems about right for a new religious movement to come about, especially with the political turmoil going on in the Middle East today. Perhaps this political turmoil, much like the Schisms of Christianity, will serve as a turning point in the history of Islam, and perhaps the history of all religions.
So what do you guys think? Is this in the making during our lifetimes?
Please keep the discussion civil. I'd actually like this to be an interesting thread. Save the reactionary comments for your blogs.