There are only two condemned instances in the history of the crusades where the Christian crusaders acted unjustly--The sack of Jerusalem and the Sack of Constantinople, both of which were unjustified and immoral. Those wars themselves remained just. I will not offer an excuse for the men who sacked Jerusalem and for the innocent Jews who died when it happened, but I will say that the crusaders freed the Holy Land from the moslems at that point. Their anger was pent up after the moslems poisened the wells around Jerusalem, forcing the men to lick blades of grass to get water. Immoral things happen sometimes in war--and again, I am not making a justification. That is the only time when innocent Jews were harmed by the crusaders.
I'm not sure what liberal propaganda you're talking about.
The Spanish Inquisition, by Anne W. Carroll.
Basically to point out that the history of Christianity is a bloody one. I had recently been having a discussion with someone who insisted that both sides of the Israeli-"Palestinian" conflict should hear the message of Jesus and it got under my skin.
Yes, it is bloody, but most of it was unprovoked. The Christian nations in Europe never once were the aggressors. Not once. It is certainly appropriate that we defend ourselves and our nations just as the Jews and Israel do. The person who you had that conversation with is a nitwit and not indicitive of true believers in Christ. Every religion has their share of less than inteligent people.
I do. However, I do recognize that part of the problem is a philosophy which enables Christians to murder other peoples or themselves seemingly in the name of their faith. For example (and I'll never understand this one), in Ireland you have two groups of Christians murdering each other with regularity. Explain the Christian attitudes behind that one.
Easy. Anyone can claim to be anything--that doesn't make it so. Those who use violence in Ireland know about God as much as those in other places who use violence.
Regardless, Communism has devestated the Christian community. Just look at what Pol Pot did. We did nothing to incur his wrath. Nothing at all except stand up for what we believe.
Does this mean the rest were "uncondemned"? I have a feeling we must agree to disagree on this one. The histories I've read indicate that the Crusaders slaughtered hundreds of Jews.
The Spanish Inquisition, by Anne W. Carroll.
I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree on this as well. The article never mentions the expulsion of Jews from Spain and whitewashes the Inquisition's Chief torturer.
Basically to point out that the history of Christianity is a bloody one.
Yes, it is bloody, but most of it was unprovoked. The Christian nations in Europe never once were the aggressors. Not once.
I guess this depends on your definition of "aggressor".
For example (and I'll never understand this one), in Ireland you have two groups of Christians murdering each other with regularity. Explain the Christian attitudes behind that one.
Easy. Anyone can claim to be anything--that doesn't make it so. Those who use violence in Ireland know about God as much as those in other places who use violence.
That is too simple an answer. With this in mind one can excuse every violent action taken in the name of faith as illegitimate. Islam is easier so I'll use that as an example. Out of the 20 conflicts currently going on in the world, 18 involve Islam. Yet, we are told that those who are engaging in the conflicts and committing atrocities are not acting "in the spirit of Islam". Sorry, it doesn't wash.
There has to be some other explanation as to why people use their faith as an excuse to murder those who are not of their faith.
Regardless, Communism has devestated the Christian community. Just look at what Pol Pot did. We did nothing to incur his wrath. Nothing at all except stand up for what we believe.
I don't know that "Communism" devestated Jewish communities since the pogroms carried out in places like Russia and Poland were frequently "endorsed" by priests. Be that as it may, communism was against any religion...some more than others.