Christian contemporaries already perceived mass conversion to Islam as a threat

Evidence

This text provides strong evidence that large-scale conversions now were perceived as a threat by Christians such as the pseudo-Methodius; this piece of evidence seems to have been overlooked in the debates over the demography of conversion from Christianity to Islam (see chap. 2). — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1507 (#expands, via linked claim)

We find the same developments among Spanish dhimmi as among Eastern ones: they initially portray Muslims primarily as military enemies, divine chastisement for Christian sins. Only as more and more Christians convert do Christian authors attack Islam as a religious adversary. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 430 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Religious leaders stoked fears of mass conversion to justify anti-Christian violence — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 243; Christians attacked Islam as a religion only after mass conversion began; Seventh-century Christians perceived mass conversion to Islam as a threat — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1507 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Seventh-century Christians perceived mass conversion to Islam as a threat #expands (0.92) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1507
• Christians saw Muslims as military threats before religious ones. #complicates (0.76) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 430