Originally Posted by 2DREZQ

Christianity began as a real religion of peace, became gradually corrupted by the absolute power of its leaders (after Justinian). And really took on a militant bent when 'christian' nations crusaded against a rising Islam. There's a lot more, of course, the explotation of the new world, the reformation and all that. Islam, however, began with conquests as soon as the Prophet had the military muscle to do so.