How many IDs do you have?
The Crusades were a response to Islamic imperialism. The West has NOTHING to apologize for, and those who do apologize simply encourage the modern day jihad. The reason that muslims bring up the Crusades is because they are taught to hate the West and this is the most memorable piece of propaganda they have. The West did NOT start the conflict.
I have two id's. I originally signed-up at my office but listed my home e-mail. When I realized that I could not access my password until I went home, I resigned using the second name (lanice8).
I agree with you that the Crusades were a response to Islamic imperialism. However, I do not agree that everything that happened during the Crusades was commendable. There were many beneficial things which were accomplished, albeit temporarily through the Crusades (ie. the liberation of Jerusalem and the rest of the Holy land from Islamic control.) I do not and will not apologize for that. But not every Crusader was of the same ilk, and not all of them did valiant deeds. The apology focused purely on the wrongs which were done, and there is nothing wrong in apologizing for that. Throughout history, we see many movements,(even beneficial ones) frought with inequities and atrocities. That doesn't mean that the overall movement was bad, or that it should not have happened, but I believe that it takes strength of character to acknowledge that some things did go wrong- terribly wrong- and that they should be acnowledged and dealt with. It does not in some way diminish the strength or character of the Church or the West to acknowledge that we have gotten some things wrong. In fact, I think that it strengthens us and shows our confidence in who we are, because it shows that we are not afraid to admit our faults, nor are we intimidated by our enemies. Please don't misunderstand the aim. The Rec Walk was not about apologizing for who we are, pandering to Islamic sympathizers, discrediting the beliefs of Christianity or the values of the West, etc. It was simply about dealing with the things that were wrong.
Does Islamic civilization have alot for which it can "apologize"? Certainly! But I do not require their apology as a prerequisite to giving my own.