Welcome to Breakpoint, a daily look, and an ever-changing culture through the lens of unchanging

truth. For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street. In recent days, a handful of public figures

and popular podcasters have made a claim that Islamic regimes have been historically, quote,

very kind to Christians. Those who make this claim are either willfully ignorant or

they're advancing an agenda because the historical record on this fact is certainly not ambiguous.

For example, the claim that relations between Islam and the Christian world were peaceful

for 500 years and till the first crusade is just plain false. Muhammad died in 632. By 732, Islam had

already taken the holy land in North Africa from the Christian Byzantine Empire. It had also

conquered Spain and advanced into France a few hundred miles from Paris. After taking additional

land in southern France and establishing bases in the Alps, Muslims then

launched raids into Germany. They sacked the outskirts of Rome. They took control of Sicily.

In 1071, they defeated the Byzantines and took control of most of modern Turkey.

24 years later, the Byzantine emperor asked the Pope for help. That's what led to the First

Crusade.

Christians in these conquered territories were treated as demi, second-class citizens who were

required to pay the Jizya, a special tax and sign of submission that was often accompanied by

ritual humiliations. Failure to pay the tax could result in death or enslavement or the destruction of the local church building.

No public displays of Christianity were allowed, including the ringing of church bells or even praying aloud in one's own home if it was within earshot of a Muslim.

No new churches could be built.

No old churches could be repaired without permission, and that was rarely given.

Criticism of Islam and evangel evangelizing Muslims, was strictly forbidden. In court, a Christian's testimony was worth

less than a Muslim. Christians could not have authority over a Muslim or have a house taller

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