How The West Saw Medieval Islam
Casting Islam and Muslims as the enemy was crucial in the Crusades, and the context of conflict has colored Christian-Islamic relations since.
'Since the Christians are not at peace with the Saracens, O Lord', wrote the Mallorcan Ramon Lull, in his Book of Contemplation on God in the early 1270s:
... they dare not hold discussions upon the faith with them when they are among them. But were they at peace together, they could dispute with each other peacefully concerning the faith, and then it would be possible for the Christians to direct and enlighten the Saracens in the way of truth, through the grace of the Holy Spirit and the true reasons that are signified in the perfection of Thy attributes.
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