Muslim anti-Christian polemics emerged as reactions to crusade and mission

Evidence

These churchmen can’t “bark,” according to Alvarus, because their worldly interests are closely tied to those of their Muslim rulers. Indeed, the prominent role played by leading churchmen in the Umayyad administration may explain the lack of polemics against Islam. (John of Damascus wrote his apologetical works only after quitting the government of Umayyad Damascus and retiring to the monastery of Mar Sabbas.) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 515 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Oliver contrasts Muhammad’s life and law with those of Christ. The way to heaven, he asserts, is through chastity; your polygamy is the path to hell. Your prophet taught you that those who were killed by their enemies would go straight to a heaven replete with carnal delights; “our teacher” taught us to love our enemy in hopes of attaining a purely spiritual reward in the next life. “Your doctor,” who was taught by a Jew and an apostate monk named Sergius, ordered to conquer by the sword all who did not recognize him. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1036 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Christian anti-Islamic polemic was a defensive reaction to Muslim power and prestige; Christian polemic inverted Muslim claims about the Paraclete into anti-Muslim mockery — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 308; Crusade-era polemic framed Islam as carnally licentious and militarily coercive against Christian love — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1036 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Christian anti-Islamic polemic was a defensive reaction to Muslim power and prestige #responds-to (0.95)
• Churchmen’s ties to Muslim rulers suppressed anti-Islamic polemics #complicates (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 515
• Christian polemic inverted Muslim claims about the Paraclete into anti-Muslim mockery #complicates (0.90) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 308
• Crusade-era polemic framed Islam as carnally licentious and militarily coercive against Christian love #complicates (0.90) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1036