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To: SoldierDad

I was questioning you. I know that Western civilization existed before the 15th Century. You are the one who denied that.

Crusades
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Image The Crusades were expeditions undertaken, in fulfilment of a solemn vow, to deliver the Holy Places from Mohammedan tyranny.

The origin of the word may be traced to the cross made of cloth and worn as a badge on the outer garment of those who took part in these enterprises. Medieval writers use the terms crux (pro cruce transmarina, Charter of 1284, cited by Du Cange s.v. crux), croisement (Joinville), croiserie (Monstrelet), etc. Since the Middle Ages the meaning of the word crusade has been extended to include all wars undertaken in pursuance of a vow, and directed against infidels, i.e. against Mohammedans, pagans, heretics, or those under the ban of excommunication. The wars waged by the Spaniards against the Moors constituted a continual crusade from the eleventh to the sixteenth century; in the north of Europe crusades were organized against the Prussians and Lithuanians; the extermination of the Albigensian heresy was due to a crusade, and, in the thirteenth century the popes preached crusades against John Lackland and Frederick II. But modern literature has abused the word by applying it to all wars of a religious character, as, for instance, the expedition of Heraclius against the Persians in the seventh century and the conquest of Saxony by Charlemagne.

The idea of the crusade corresponds to a political conception which was realized in Christendom only from the eleventh to the fifteenth century; this supposes a union of all peoples and sovereigns under the direction of the popes. All crusades were announced by preaching. After pronouncing a solemn vow, each warrior received a cross from the hands of the pope or his legates, and was thenceforth considered a soldier of the Church. Crusaders were also granted indulgences and temporal privileges, such as exemption from civil jurisdiction, inviolability of persons or lands, etc. Of all these wars undertaken in the name of Christendom, the most important were the Eastern Crusades, which are the only ones treated in this article. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04543c.htm

We (Western Civilization) did win some and lose some of these wars. At times Christians Europeans occupied these lands only to be driven out again. The point is at that time the only reason that the Muslim world was rich and powerful enough to put up a fight, was the fact that they controlled the trade routs that we (Christendom) depended. Once we found a way around those trade routs the power and wealth of those Muslim countries faded rapidly. Not until the 20th Century, did the Muslim start to regain its wealth because of our need for oil. Once again they controlled transportation. If we find a viable alternative to oil they will pose no threat to us as they follow their camels around the desert once more.

To put it in very simple terms that you can understand:

If we don’t need their oil, we win and our sons and daughters don’t have to die!


26 posted on 09/13/2008 5:00:02 PM PDT by Calculus_of_Consent
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To: Calculus_of_Consent

....”To put it in very simple terms that you can understand:”....

Well, to put it very basic terms that YOU can’t seem to understand (as has been said to you at least twice already on this thread).

GO AWAY TROLL....


27 posted on 09/13/2008 10:33:42 PM PDT by Mtner77
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To: Calculus_of_Consent

You are hell bent on trying to equate the United States of America with the Roman Empire and the British Empire of the 1500’s and earlier. You have done nothing but compare an apple to an orange and tried to call them both a kumquat. Your argument is specious at best and a bald face lie at the worst. You have zero facts to back up your claim that the war in Iraq is only about oil (other that the claims of people who are so far to the left as to be ridiculed for any comments that issue from their mouth).

I didn’t deny anything. You have tried through semantics to tie the United States with events which you don’t even understand in the first place. The Crusades were not a failure. Go back to school and study this time period and what took place, then get back to me. You don’t seem to have any understanding that three times in human history after the ascention of Islam there have been three one hundred years wars that were caused by Islamic uprising which were put down. The Crusades was but one of those events. We are now in the fourth installment of a 100 years war to put down yet another Islamic uprising. You would know that if you would take time to study history. But you are only interested is spewing forth your liberal hatred of this nation. Go Away TROLL


39 posted on 09/16/2008 8:45:38 PM PDT by SoldierDad (Proud Dad of a U.S. Army Infantry Soldier, and enthusiastic supporter of McCain/Palin)
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