Christian apologists attacked straw-man versions of Islam no Muslim would defend

Evidence

The point is well taken by Reland, who in 1705 compared Christian apologetic to Caligula’s battle against the sea: ‘After the same manner’, he said, ‘these Writers seem to me to have employ’d their Wit and Parts, not against true Enemys, but fictitious ones, where they were sure of the Victory, since no body was to defend them; and were certain of carrying away … the Applause of all those, who are no wiser than themselves, and Rejoice to see the Truth of the Christian Religion so Non in tali auxilio, nec defensoribus istis, Tempus egit. Let us act candidly, lest we become a Jest to our Adversarys.’ — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 2411

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s interest in medieval Christian-Muslim polemics and how religious controversy manufactures an opponent, echoing patterns in contemporary political strawmanning.
• DEEPTHINKING: Reland’s 1705 insight—apologetics that defeat fictitious enemies—applies to any intellectual debate performed for applause rather than engagement, from medieval polemic to modern online disputes.