Medieval Christians respected Islamic civilization even while they knew Muslims as others.

Evidence

The European construction of Muslims as the ultimate “Others,” of course, was present since the Middle Ages. However, medieval Christians did not necessarily view Islam as an inferior civilization lagging behind the accomplishments of Europe. Rather, as noted in the previous chapter, medieval Europe found inspiration in the achievements of Islamic civilization in areas including philosophy, science, and music. — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 200

Categorization

• XREF: Directly answers the reader’s hinge question: the shift to inherent inferiority is modern, not medieval. — connects to: Talented Christians in medieval Spain preferred Arabic learning over Latin. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 54; Mass Christian conversion to Islam forced Christians to view Muslims as religious rivals — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 124; Some medieval Christians recognized all three faiths worshipped the same one God.

Broader Connections

• Talented Christians in medieval Spain preferred Arabic learning over Latin. #exemplifies (0.60) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 54
• Mass Christian conversion to Islam forced Christians to view Muslims as religious rivals #qualifies (0.40) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 124