The Crusades - separation between Muslims and Christians
Purpose & Definition
The Crusades were a series of expeditions carried out by the Christians in Europe, to reclaim the holy land controlled by the Muslims in Jerusalem .
Reasons
In Clermont of southern France, Pope Urban II told the Christians that the Ottoman Turks (Muslims) were advancing against the Christians, mistreating pilgrims, and desecrating holy sites in Jerusalem. Hence, Urban told all Christians in the West to eradicate the "evils", to prove their faith to God. Urban called it a "just war", "an act of love", etc.
Benefits
There were a few benefits to the crusaders for going to war, eg. sins forgiven, entry to heaven, waiver of interests on their debts, respect/honour for fighting for their God, etc.
First Crusade
Hence, the first crusade began on November 27, 1095. After it began, the church continued the propaganda, targeting innocent God-fearing believers, and recruited women, children, adolescents, etc. The crusaders included both knights and non-combatants.
Saracens
The crusaders called the enemies (Muslims and Arabs) Saracens, a Greek and Latin term referring to inhabitants of the desert of Syria and Arabia.
Capture of Jerusalem
In 1099, the crusaders killed all the Muslims at their holy place in Jerusalem. Then, they killed the Jews there, for helping the Muslims. Then they killed the Christians in Jerusalem, again for the same reason.
After the crusaders had cleansed Jerusalem of all "evils", they held a church service, to give thanks to God for their victory.
Subsequent Crusades
There were at least eight crusades, some bigger than others, in a span of two centuries.
Saladin Tithe
In Europe, income tax was invented by the English king Henry II, in 1189, to finance the third crusade.
Conclusion
History tends to repeat itself. Today, we see jihadists being offered unconditional admission to paradise for dying in the cause of Islam.
Love needs no reason. Only hatred needs justification. This is true in both personal relationships, as well as relationships between groups of people.
There was one good thing coming out of the crusades, ie. the learning of Arabic culture and language. The works of Aristotle, a Greek philosopher regarded as المعلم الأول by the Muslims, were translated from Arabic to Latin, to enlighten readers in Europe.
Source: The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
The Crusades were a series of expeditions carried out by the Christians in Europe, to reclaim the holy land controlled by the Muslims in Jerusalem .
Reasons
In Clermont of southern France, Pope Urban II told the Christians that the Ottoman Turks (Muslims) were advancing against the Christians, mistreating pilgrims, and desecrating holy sites in Jerusalem. Hence, Urban told all Christians in the West to eradicate the "evils", to prove their faith to God. Urban called it a "just war", "an act of love", etc.
Benefits
There were a few benefits to the crusaders for going to war, eg. sins forgiven, entry to heaven, waiver of interests on their debts, respect/honour for fighting for their God, etc.
First Crusade
Hence, the first crusade began on November 27, 1095. After it began, the church continued the propaganda, targeting innocent God-fearing believers, and recruited women, children, adolescents, etc. The crusaders included both knights and non-combatants.
Saracens
The crusaders called the enemies (Muslims and Arabs) Saracens, a Greek and Latin term referring to inhabitants of the desert of Syria and Arabia.
Capture of Jerusalem
In 1099, the crusaders killed all the Muslims at their holy place in Jerusalem. Then, they killed the Jews there, for helping the Muslims. Then they killed the Christians in Jerusalem, again for the same reason.
After the crusaders had cleansed Jerusalem of all "evils", they held a church service, to give thanks to God for their victory.
Subsequent Crusades
There were at least eight crusades, some bigger than others, in a span of two centuries.
Saladin Tithe
In Europe, income tax was invented by the English king Henry II, in 1189, to finance the third crusade.
Conclusion
History tends to repeat itself. Today, we see jihadists being offered unconditional admission to paradise for dying in the cause of Islam.
Love needs no reason. Only hatred needs justification. This is true in both personal relationships, as well as relationships between groups of people.
There was one good thing coming out of the crusades, ie. the learning of Arabic culture and language. The works of Aristotle, a Greek philosopher regarded as المعلم الأول by the Muslims, were translated from Arabic to Latin, to enlighten readers in Europe.
Source: The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
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