I dunno, I guess I've read too many things like "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", to really consider current Islamic fundamentalism to be anything other than the latest variation on an old, old theme.
Well, I mean, it kind of is, but Islam came with some details added to the old formula that just makes it a bit more of a pain in the ass to water down, in my opinion. But, who knows, it's certainly not testable. I do think and hope that the majority will have to retreat into a liberal interpretation sooner or later, and the state of many Muslim-majority countries in the world undoubtedly has a hand in why this hasn't already happened like it has for Christianity.
Well, he couldn't say blatantly what he was doing. But if you look at his actions regarding the Temple and the priesthood, and his complete disregard for how the priesthood was "holier than" the common people, then he was reforming the laws, doing away with hierarchy, rather than perfecting or adding to it at all. I mean, it was so revolutionary, that it spawned a new religion and the Jews had him crucified for upsetting their power base.
Yeah, that's true, he wasn't exactly leading by example if he wanted that followed so badly. Point taken.