Declared irrationality of infidels licensed coercion and force against them

Evidence

Increasingly, as Muslims proved as impervious to “rational” polemics as Jews, the two groups were lumped together as stubborn and irrational infidels. Missionaries such as William of Rubruck and Riccoldo da Montecroce painted the Oriental, Muslim or not, as a foreign, lethargic being unfit for rational argumentation. Because of this irrationality, it was entirely appropriate to use coercion and force with these infidels: to treat them forcefully, as one would treat children or animals, compelling them to submit to Catholic authority, to listen quietly to missionary sermons, and so on. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1363 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Declared irrationality rationalized coercing Muslims and Jews by force; Perceived irrationality of infidels justified coercing them like children or animals. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1363; Medieval anti-infidel rhetoric coexisted with distinct legal treatment and coercion of each group — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1364

Broader Connections

• Declared irrationality rationalized coercing Muslims and Jews by force #corroborates (0.96)
• Perceived irrationality of infidels justified coercing them like children or animals. #expands (0.94) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1363