The Murderer’s for Christ Strike Against The Infidels: A Brief Overview of The Crusades
The crusades were an attempt by the papacy to demonstrate their influence over European society. It was a war between the godly followers and the infidels. Due to developments in the Islamic and Byzantine world, this gave rise to the new European civilization to expand their borders. As a new dynasty emerged, the demand for knights was answered leading to the first crusades which were precipitated by various religious aspects and conflicts, and tempted warriors to fight for their religion and engage in their favorite pastime-fighting.
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After the division of the Catholic Church of the west and the Eastern Orthodox Church of the Byzantine Empire, the state of the empire was weakened. The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Michael Cerularius refused to accept the pope as the sole head of the church, therefore forming a great schism between the two branches of Christianity. The Byzantine Empire was constantly open to external threats from the Turks, Normans, and the Pechenegs. So when a new dynasty was formed by Alexius I Comnenus, the leader turned to the west for assistance in a holy war, and his requests were positively answered leading to the crusades.
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Christians were on holy pilgrimage to rid the world of infidels and unbelievers, those being the Muslims. So when the pope saw an opportunity to provide papal leadership for a great cause, they rallied the warriors in an attempt to liberate Jerusalem and the Holy Land. The pope promised knights remission of sins allowing for the knights, who died in battle against the pagans, to be absolved from sin through the power of God which the pope had been invested.
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The knights of the crusade were initially tempted by religious fervor, adventure, and the opportunity to engage in fighting, which was of course their favorite pastime. Others believed they would gain more land and holdings, a title, and even salvation. Merchants believed the crusades would allow for greater trade opportunities in the Muslim Lands. It was simply a war to rid Europe of young nobles who insisted upon fighting each other, thereby turning the tables and giving them a new target.
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The crusades were a massacre that brought about evil side effects that effected the society of Europe for centuries. The hopes of reviving more trade during the crusades would have had the same results without the murders of thousands of people. Not much as changed even today as Christians and Muslims lay in dispute over the Holy Land.
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papaleng
On November 12, 2009 at 9:35 am
Well presented and very educational post..You have my like Lauren..
Darlene McFarlane
On November 12, 2009 at 11:13 am
Very interesting article, Lauren. I enjoyed it very much.
Mark Gordon Brown
On November 12, 2009 at 11:26 am
A million thank you’s for sharing the fact that Christians are not so innocent in shedding the blood of other. You can see their sexual perversion in the paintings where the mens penises were cut off, how bizarre is that.
Will Gray
On November 12, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Extraordinary article!!
B Nelson
On November 12, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Religion is to blame for so many human atrocities. Christians like to think of themselves as better than the Muslims because now the media focuses on killings by Muslims, BUT I have heard many a good Christain say they would be happy to blow the head off a muslim anyday, and some go to war to get the chance to do just that.
Pretty sad.
Goodselfme
On November 12, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Thank you for such a well rounded article and so well done by you.
Chris Stonecipher
On November 12, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Lauren,
Your article is well presented, researched, informative and interesting. Thank you for sharing. Bookmarked this one.
Bless you,
Chris
Vikram Chhabra
On November 12, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Another greta piece from you Lauren! Very well researched, great illustrations to complement.
I guess more then anything it is basic human nature that is corrupt. These problems therefore manifest in all races and religions…
Anders Hegelund
On November 12, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Omg this is sick.. Thanks for sharing. I don’t know if I’m going to believe in this but very interesting indeed.
I think these pictures shows us how crazy the world once were.
Best regards,
Anders W Hegelund
Diverseblogger
On November 12, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Reading your work is always enjoyable and creative. You put so much into it and that is amazing
Thanks for sharig
Joe Dorish
On November 12, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Good article Lauren! Unfortunately war and man always seem to be a constant.
thestickman
On November 12, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I always lean towards a comment by George Patton: The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
Hrothgar
On November 13, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Fools. The Crusades were a defensive war to regain lands stolen by Muslim invaders.
Teves
On November 13, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Nice one…
R J Evans
On November 14, 2009 at 11:54 am
Hrothgar – that is only if you count lands, such as Jerusalem, which were taken from them!
Cool article, Lauren…
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