Thanks for a nice readable, interesting post, CF.

It is my opinion that the Protestant Reformation was good for Christianity, since along with that, and Gutenburg's printing intelligent invention, the Bible became more accessible to ordinary people. All sides could learn from each other, I guess, and do have much more to learn. I'm not too keen on the Koran, and I did read around in it once, though. IMO, cannot compare with the Bible. Under the Koran, it's illegal to lend money for interest, or to m-make a profit selling wheat?

I have lived/traveled in some Buddhist influenced countries of the orient, and liked them, but am remaining provincially ignorant about "real" life under the Koran.

Of course there are powerful currents in modern life besides Islam or Christianity. The Puritains probably wouldn't recognise or accept their successors, and the religious life in USofA has transformed ?evolved a lot in the last 50 years. Even bigger change, and rapid, is likely in the future "religion" lives.

I just don't visualise religion being dispensed with in the foreseeable future, although the trends in Europe and western USofA may be predictive. OTOH, there is definitely a re-acceptance of religion in Russia, true?

So, how are physical and spiritual needs met better in Iran, as opposed to Turkey, more liberal, Mohammed-wise? Iran, of course has the advantage of oil.