Some Christians form their negative attitude toward Islam based on a number of religious and sociocultural factors, which are closely intertwined with historical traditions and interpretations of sacred texts.

Complex Roots of Christian Critique of Islam

Some Christians form their negative attitude toward Islam based on a number of religious and sociocultural factors, which are closely intertwined with historical traditions and interpretations of sacred texts. In particular, one opinion is expressed as follows: the notion of "double standards" in treating one's own and those of others—where violence against outsiders is tolerated while harm to one's own is categorically condemned—is associated with viewing Islam as a phenomenon that arose under the influence of an evil spirit. As stated in source link txt:

"Moreover, it does not matter whether she is married or unmarried—nobody cares at all. Such a view, of course, is extremely sad and is directly connected with the idea of a double standard in treating one's own and those of others. For us, it is, of course, unthinkable; that is, if a person cannot kill his own, then he cannot kill someone else's either! And here it is completely unthinkable to allow oneself what is permitted to everyone.

So, how should we regard Islam, the world of Islam?

What is it? Undoubtedly, the world of Islam is a tremendous phenomenon that arose thanks to the workings of an evil spirit." (source: link txt)

Another factor is religious and biblical prophecies, in which the spread of Islam is interpreted as a consequence of turning away from God's will. This is evident from the interpretation of ancient stories that suggest the prophecy of Muhammad’s descent from Ishmael is seen as a sign of disobedience to God’s commandment, leading to a negative assessment. The following text from the same source is provided in confirmation:

"Even in ancient times, God told Abraham about his son Ishmael, from whom Muhammad later descended: He said that he would be 'like a wild donkey; his hands against everyone, and everyone's hands against him; he would live before the eyes of all his brothers.' The reasons for the spread of Islam lie in the fact that Christians began to act contrary to God’s will, against the commandment given by the Lord." (source: link txt)

Sociocultural premises are expressed in representations of historical conflicts and military actions that have left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness. Historically, Islam has been associated with conquests and the use of force, as underscored in the following statement:

"Islam, having originated in Arabia, conquered half the world with fire and sword. Catholicism attempted to establish its dominance through the Crusades. Protestants, while colonizing America, carried out genocide against the indigenous population. Various sects often conducted bloody reprisal actions against those who did not rush to seek salvation for their souls from their leaders. In contrast, Orthodoxy is characterized by a tolerant attitude towards people of other faiths." (source: link txt)

Furthermore, the negative evaluation is reinforced by the perception of Islam as a religion inextricably linked with violence and extremism. This view is reflected in the following example:

"The sword lay at the cradle of Islam. To deny this is foolish. It is better to consider how to blunt that sword, and even better—to repel the religious crusade of using it. And here is yet another reason to hold the entire Muslim world accountable for its scoundrels: a significant part of the Muslim world does not regard terrorists as scoundrels, but as heroes." (source: link txt)

Finally, stories of martyrs—depicting scenes of violence against Christians, which have been preserved in folk epics and the lives of saints—play a significant role in forming a negative attitude. As noted in another source:

"Regarding the relationship of ordinary Christians to Muslims in their everyday contacts, both in occupied lands and within the empire, where many Arab merchants, diplomats, and prisoners were encountered, on the one hand, there are many martyrdom accounts describing beatings carried out by Muslims." (source: link txt)

Thus, the negative attitude of some Christians toward Islam may be caused by a combination of factors: a religious-spiritual interpretation of Islam as a manifestation of evil or a punishment for apostasy, a historical legacy of conflicts and military conquests, and a cultural memory of martyrdoms and violence. These factors mutually reinforce one another, forming a persistent negative perception of Islam among certain segments of the Christian community.