Reply #28: Actually, Islam came from Christianity.

[IdaBriggs]

The middle east had gotten converted to Christianity, and then everyone hit an 'interpretation' problem -- were the Trinity three separate people, and which one was in charge? It might sound stupid nowadays, but it became a "burning issue" for those who were deemed to be "heretics" in their understanding. The Prophet solved the question by saying, "Look, there is ONE GOD," and then declared himself a prophet because he figured it out. He also said Jesus was a prophet, and since everyone was already related to the Jews (who were kind enough to father Jesus) respect and tolerance for the "fore-bearers" of the Islamic faith was instilled. I'm paraphrasing pretty heavily here, but this stuff is detailed out in a book called "The History of Christianity." I can't remember the author's name. :) Ida