What Is Charlemagne's Attitude Towards Other Religions Dbq

The similarities among these two men, Charlemagne and Muhammad, where not many aside from the fact that they both wanted to spread religious beliefs beyond their homelands. If we look at the facts, we can clearly see that Muhammad was a common man with no initial links to nobility or priesthood. He was not anointed and did not use military force to convert anyone into Islam, whereas Charlemagne, used his power to kill and do away with those who did not conform to Christian doctrine. Charlemagne forced his values on those who were not able to retaliate. Two excerpts from Understanding Western Society explains how “Charlemagne ordered more than four thousand Saxons killed on one day’’ and “others who surrendered were forced to be Christians, often in mass baptisms” (McKay,207). Whereas Muhammad was a more peaceful man who united Arabs, for example, Arabs despite their place of origin respected how others chose to worship.
The online editorial The Tolerance of the Prophet Towards Other Religions offers an example of his tolerance for others. The article expands on the Islamic ideologies that “one must ensure the peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Jews, Christians and polytheists.” This indicates that Muhammad wanted to coexist with others despite their religious differences and beliefs. Muhammad used peaceful methods in hopes of defusing violence, for example, he and his followers during the Hijrah marched to Mecca and conquered it without battle as stated in the article above. When comparing the lives lost, bloodshed, and mistreatment of the Saxons and the peaceful stance of the Muhammad it becomes clear they each were on opposing sides as to how a person should be allowed to practice their