Over the years I have implored people to do their own independent study of the Crusades, as I did, pre-9/11. Most people’s knowledge of the Crusades is typically skewed to be anti-Crusader, at least the people to whom I have spoken. My father in law, as an example, has described them, many times, as forerunners of organized crime, thugs. I have corrected him many times on the matter. I asked a woman I used to work with, for instance, which did she think was older, Christianity or Islam. Instantly she answered, “Well, Islam of course!” I then told her the truth. She admitted, “I should have known that.” Why? She majored in Religion — in college. I told her she should get her tuition back.
“I should have known that”....seriously? wow...and a religion major no less, crazy.