MICHAEL THE SYRIAN

Although they were a Christian sect, there was not a lot of tolerance then by the Catholic Church especially for Christians who theologically deviated slightly from official doctrine. Ironically, the Muslims who conquered Egypt and Syria were much more tolerant of the Syrian Christians than their fellow Christians were. See {634767} for his view of Islamic tolerance.

In one of the historical ironies of the 12th century, a Christian sect preferred the rule of the Muslims than their Christian brethren—on the grounds of religious tolerance. It illustrates the changes that take place over time. By the 21st century, it was the Christians who were thought of as tolerant and the Muslims as the opposite.

Although they were a Christian sect, there was not a lot of tolerance then by the Catholic Church especially for Christians who theologically deviated slightly from official doctrine. Ironically, the Muslims who conquered Egypt and Syria were much more tolerant of the Syrian Christians than their fellow Christians were. See {634767} for his view of Islamic tolerance.

In one of the historical ironies of the 12th century, a Christian sect preferred the rule of the Muslims than their Christian brethren—on the grounds of religious tolerance. It illustrates the changes that take place over time. By the 21st century, it was the Christians who were thought of as tolerant and the Muslims as the opposite.