Time to liberate our former Christiam territory.
Cool. Looks like it's time for "The Crusades Part II."
The Turks aren't exactly the warriors of the mid-east.
They allowed women the right to vote before we did, and have banned the veil in public for decades, something unheard of in both our country and europe.
And when they arrived in Constantinople, they sacked it.
Also, here's a link to the main article that may work a bit better: link
Ping - The Crusades
Otherwise we would have an Islamic Hitler across the pond.
BUMP
1) If the Crusades were simply a war to force Christianity upon Muslims, then why did the Crusaders (most of whom were from France and Germany) go all the way to the Holy Land? The Muslims in Spain were much closer and a more serious threat.
2) If all the Crusaders wanted to do was run the Muslims out of the Holy Land, then why did they wait until 1096- 400 years after the Muslims took the area over? Surely they would have been in a much better position to do so in the days of Charlemagne.
The answer is simple. In the late 11th Century, the Islamic world was hijacked by radicals bent on spreading their version of Islam. These radicals took control of the Holy Land and began a terror campaign against Christian residents and pilgrims (who were tolerated and even welcomed by the Caliphs until this time). The Byzantines, Franks and Normans launched the First Crusade and retook the Holy Land from the islamofascists. Subsequent Crusades were launched until the threat of islamofascism subsided.
bfl
Interesting perspective...
When I call them on it, the argument usually ends pretty quickly since they can't justify their position anymore. I'm no expert but they find out pretty fast that I'm not stupid either...once that is established they know not to talk middle east current events with me around, else they get pounded by me with a big stick called historic fact!
There is probably no area of Western history subject to more misunderstanding, ignorance and direct distortion as the history of the Crusades.
One heroic scholarly effort to sift the truth is being made by Thomas F. Madden, associate professor and chair of the Department of History at Saint Louis University.
Professor Madden is the author of numerous works, including
A Concise History of the Crusades. Here is another point made by the man:
"...the Crusades to the East were in every way defensive wars. They were a direct response to Muslim aggression – an attempt to turn back or defend against Muslim conquests of Christian lands..."
BTTT
The Real History of the CrusadesMisconceptions about the Crusades are all too common. The Crusades are generally portrayed as a series of holy wars against Islam led by power-mad popes and fought by religious fanatics. They are supposed to have been the epitome of self-righteousness and intolerance, a black stain on the history of the Catholic Church in particular and Western civilization in general. A breed of proto-imperialists, the Crusaders introduced Western aggression to the peaceful Middle East and then deformed the enlightened Muslim culture, leaving it in ruins... [T]he Crusades to the East were in every way defensive wars. They were a direct response to Muslim aggression—an attempt to turn back or defend against Muslim conquests of Christian lands.
by Thomas F. Madden
9 May 2002
Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge
in Bozeman, Montana, while awaiting their respective flights.
One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer.
Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show
and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly
arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East.
Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two
Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the
conversation falls into an uneasy lull.
The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine
table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face. The wind
outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping;
but still no plane comes.
Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, "At
one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few."
The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, "Once my people
were few," he sneers, "and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?"
The cowboy shifts his toothpick to one side of his mouth and
from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl . .
"That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet,
but I do believe it's a-comin'."
"The Crusades was just one of those parties that got out of hand."
There have been six, so far, AFAIK, this link being the oldest:
The Real History of the Crusades
Crisis Magazine | 4/1/2002 | Thomas Madden
Posted on 04/07/2002 10:35:39 PM EDT by traditionalist
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/661560/posts