Christian reactions to Islam are documented from an early date. They are generally categorized as follows:-
a. Those based on the feeling of revenge against Islam, for Islam had first thrived and still thrives enormously at the expense of Christendom.
b. Those inspired by future dangers of Islamic success. Christians were brought up to expect to be in relationship of violence and force with Muslims.
The reactions were formulated in various forms of accusations, but two main accusations stand out: a) the myth that Islam was imposed, and b) the salacity and laxness with which those who could not be compelled were bribed. If Christians could bring themselves together to accuse the strictest monotheistic religion, Islam, of idolatry, it would be difficult for them to relate the spread of Islam to violence and salacity. The Christians were not content with only accusing Islam of being forced upon people, they in fact, fabricated these accusations to entice people and promote violence against Islam. There was little recognition that Christians were inconsistent in advocating the use of force against Islam, while condemning Islam for its theoretic approval of it. They fabricated these charges to stir violence and they naturally retorted to further charges if people did not respond favorably to their call for the use of violence against Muslims. It was almost inevitable that the Christian attitude (the Christians tried hard to prove that Christianity was revealed once and for ever, and not as a religion of power to discredit Islam as the religion of force) to Islam should here be inconsistent.[180]
