Why Thomas Aquinas Distrusted Islam

Breitbart's Big Government ^ | December 27, 2015 | Thomas D. Williams, PH.D.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

“Christians have changed so that we no longer convert by the sword, while muslims have not, but using the words of a man who likely approved of the forcible conversion of the Prus is not a good argument against present muslim expansionism by violence.”

I think the most important and fundamental point is that bad acts by Christian's are not consistent with what Christ taught. Many bad things have been done by those who identify as Christians, including some Popes and certainly many clergy, but these acts are failures to act as Christ did and taught. As regards Aquinas being hypocritical, all humans are at some level at some point. We're generally all failures when it comes to living up to our principles and our beliefs (speaking mostly for myself here).

[GreyFriar]

Piece-P,

Yes, Christians who sought to ‘convert by the sword’ were NOT following Jesus’ teachings.

And you are correct, in my view, in stating: “Many bad things have been done by those who identify as Christians, including some Popes and certainly many clergy, but these acts are failures to act as Christ did and taught.”

That is what folks miss or ignore in their condemning “Christianity” as converting by the sword. It was done in violation of Christ’s teachings, NOT in alignment with it. An alignment of converting by the sword that is written into Islamic ‘scripture.’

G-F

[Mach9]

Like Catherine of Siena (1300s—same era as Aquinas) and Teresa of Avila (1500s)?

If chivalry’s anti-female, and I’m sure many mistakenly believe it is, then Christianity, which brought it into being, is anti-female. Absolutely ridiculous. Paternalistic? Maybe. Oppressive? No way.

Not to mention that the most honored nondeity in Catholicism is Mary the Mother of God.

[windhover]

Thank you. I was not aware the Prussian people had converted at that late time.

I have now done some reading on the failing early crusade by the Polish Princes in 1222-3; and subsequent campaigns by the Teutonic Knights beginning in 1230 against Baltic Tribes, leading to constant warfare until surrender of the Central Prussian Tribes in 1277.

I appreciate having learned about this. Yes, it was a very bloody conflict, and won the reputation for the Prussians as fine warriors.