Correcting Misconceptions About the Crusades

[Tolkien R.R.J]

Luciano Anastasia's review of my first article on the Crusades

"The Crusades, often misunderstood in modern times, were primarily defensive wars initiated in response to centuries of Muslim conquests and the persecution of Christians. These conflicts arose from the need to protect Christian lands, pilgrims, and Eastern Christians from ongoing Muslim aggression. The article emphasizes that the Crusaders were driven by religious devotion and a sense of self-preservation rather than mere conquest. It challenges modern perceptions, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the motivations behind the Crusades."

Revisiting the Crusades: Defense, Faith, and Survival

Revisiting the Crusades: A closer look reveals these wars were not mere conquests but defensive efforts to protect Christendom from ongoing Muslim aggression.

historymedieval.com

The second article in my series of seven on the Crusades has been published, both covering the topic of what motivated the Crusaders to go to the East.

Religious Motivators: Faith, Relics, and the Crusader States
Medieval History – Religious Motivators: Faith, Relics, and the Crusader States

The third article in my series on the Crusades has been published.

Sins of the Crusaders – For the Love of Money?​

Medieval History – Sins of the Crusaders – For the Love of Money?

Sins of the Crusaders: Despite popular belief, most Crusaders sacrificed wealth and comfort, driven by devotion rather than the pursuit of riches.

historymedieval.com

My latest article on the Crusades addresses the claim that the Crusaders were racist and bigoted towards Islam.

Racism in the Crusades: Fact or Fiction?

Medieval History – Racism in the Crusades: Fact or Fiction?

Racism in the Crusades was not a primary motivator, as power, land, and politics played a more significant role than racial or religious hatred.

historymedieval.com

Challenging Anti-Jewish Racism Claims in the Crusades by Jeb Smith

Medieval History – Challenging Anti-Jewish Racism Claims in the Crusades

Challenging Anti-Jewish Racism in the Crusades, this article delves into isolated violence, revealing a more nuanced view of Crusader attitudes toward Jewish populations.

historymedieval.com

 

[public hermit]

Who cares? Religious bloodshed has nothing to do with Christ. Why defend the crusaders? They were just one more link in the kingdom(s) of this world. If your aim is to kill for Christ, then you don't know Christ. I reject your premise as incoherent.

 

[Apple Sky]

Luciano Anastasia's review of my first article on the Crusades

"The Crusades, often misunderstood in modern times, were primarily defensive wars initiated in response to centuries of Muslim conquests and the persecution of Christians. These conflicts arose from the need to protect Christian lands, pilgrims, and Eastern Christians from ongoing Muslim aggression. The article emphasizes that the Crusaders were driven by religious devotion and a sense of self-preservation rather than mere conquest. It challenges modern perceptions, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the motivations behind the Crusades."

Revisiting the Crusades: Defense, Faith, and Survival

Revisiting the Crusades: A closer look reveals these wars were not mere conquests but defensive efforts to protect Christendom from ongoing Muslim aggression.

historymedieval.com

The Crusades were an excuse for Knights Templar to go in & loot Jerusalem's ancient sites, just like in today's world where the Iraqi war gave them an excuse to go in & raid/ loot the Baghdad museum for the treasures of Nimrod.

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

Who cares? Religious bloodshed has nothing to do with Christ. Why defend the crusaders? They were just one more link in the kingdom(s) of this world. If your aim is to kill for Christ, then you don't know Christ. I reject your premise as incoherent.

A perfect example of the misinformation about the Crusades!

I defend Truth, I think Jesus did as well and was hated in his day. Truth will always rub people the wrong way.

 

[public hermit]

A perfect example of the misinformation about the Crusades!

I defend Truth, I think Jesus did as well and was hated in his day. Truth will always rub people the wrong way.

Is going to war in the name of Christ the "truth"? When the crusaders entered Jerusalem on July 15, 1099, they slaughtered its inhabitants and made no distinction between Jew and Muslim while doing so. They just slaughtered whoever. Is that the way of Christ?

Siege of Jerusalem (1099) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

Is going to war in the name of Christ the "truth"? When the crusaders entered Jerusalem on July 15, 1099, they slaughtered its inhabitants and made no distinction between Jew and Muslim while doing so. They just slaughtered whoever. Is that the way of Christ?

Siege of Jerusalem (1099) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

More myths! This will be addressed in a future article. But how bias can one be? It would be like me stating some blacks murdered whites and therefore all blacks murder whites and cannot be Christian!

Far worse has occurred in modern times by "Christian" nations. Show me where this perfect sinless Christian people you assume exists are.

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

The Crusades were an excuse for Knights Templar to go in & loot Jerusalem's ancient sites, just like in today's world where the Iraqi war gave them an excuse to go in & raid/ loot the Baghdad museum for the treasures of Nimrod.

Evidence? A future articles covers this myth and so I just want to know how you logically and historically put that story together.

 

[Apple Sky]

Evidence? A future articles covers this myth and so I just want to know how you logically and historically put that story together.

By reading all about the Knights Templar plus a few video's.

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

By reading all about the Knights Templar plus a few video's.

So evidence should be easy to come by.

See, there are a few glaring problems with your assertion, I will leave them for my article. But that is why I asked for your evidence as I find such a claim fascinating and not regarded as trustworthy outside of Hollywood.

 

[public hermit]

More myths!

It's not a myth. It's mentioned in the opinion piece you posted.

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

It's not a myth. It's mentioned in the opinion piece you posted.

Not in those words, we must be careful. I did not say a massacre did not occur! But it is funny how we take this incident as typical, while ignoring so much else. Context and details can change our outlook to a great extent.

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

The second article in my series of seven on the Crusades has been published, both covering the topic of what motivated the Crusaders to go to the East.

Religious Motivators: Faith, Relics, and the Crusader States
Medieval History – Religious Motivators: Faith, Relics, and the Crusader States

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Who cares? Religious bloodshed has nothing to do with Christ. Why defend the crusaders? They were just one more link in the kingdom(s) of this world. If your aim is to kill for Christ, then you don't know Christ. I reject your premise as incoherent.

Because they were wars, which in part, helped to prevent the potential Islamization of Europe? Would you have preferred Christians just willingly submit and become the Dhimmis of Muslims and Pagans without a fight?

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

The third article in my series on the Crusades has been published.

Sins of the Crusaders – For the Love of Money?​

Medieval History – Sins of the Crusaders – For the Love of Money?

Sins of the Crusaders: Despite popular belief, most Crusaders sacrificed wealth and comfort, driven by devotion rather than the pursuit of riches.

historymedieval.com

 

[public hermit]

The third article in my series on the Crusades has been published.

Sins of the Crusaders – For the Love of Money?​

Medieval History – Sins of the Crusaders – For the Love of Money?

Sins of the Crusaders: Despite popular belief, most Crusaders sacrificed wealth and comfort, driven by devotion rather than the pursuit of riches.

historymedieval.com

So it was a mass of bloodshed and a financial loss. It's no wonder Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world.

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

My latest article on the Crusades addresses the claim that the Crusaders were racist and bigoted towards Islam.

Racism in the Crusades: Fact or Fiction?

Medieval History – Racism in the Crusades: Fact or Fiction?

Racism in the Crusades was not a primary motivator, as power, land, and politics played a more significant role than racial or religious hatred.

historymedieval.com

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

Luciano Anastasi
Challenging Anti-Jewish Racism Claims in the Crusades by Jeb Smith This article revisits the often-assumed connection between the Crusades and widespread anti-Jewish racism, focusing on Count Emicho's infamous mob during the First Crusade. While some Crusaders did commit atrocities against Jewish populations, the article argues that these acts were isolated and not representative of the Crusades as a whole. It emphasizes that many Christian leaders, including local bishops and even the Pope, actively condemned the violence and took steps to protect Jewish communities. Notably, influential figures like Saint Bernard of Clairvaux preached against harming Jews during the Second Crusade. Furthermore, the article places the violence in the broader context of medieval society, suggesting that opportunism and lack of planning, rather than outright racial hatred, drove much of the anti-Jewish violence. The Crusades, it argues, were not a systematic movement against Jews but a complex historical event influenced by various social, political, and economic factors. Ultimately, the author contends that anti-Semitism increased more significantly after the Crusades, particularly with the rise of nation-states in the Renaissance.

Medieval History – Challenging Anti-Jewish Racism Claims in the Crusades

Challenging Anti-Jewish Racism in the Crusades, this article delves into isolated violence, revealing a more nuanced view of Crusader attitudes toward Jewish populations.

historymedieval.com

 

[Tolkien R.R.J]

Luciano Anastasi -Islam’s Golden Age: Misconception or Reality? by Jeb Smith

This article critically examines the portrayal of medieval Islam in modern narratives, particularly in films like Kingdom of Heaven and academic discussions. The author argues that the Islamic world of the medieval era is often depicted as peaceful, enlightened, and tolerant in contrast to the aggressive, barbaric Crusaders. However, a closer look at Islamic conquests, religious warfare, and the treatment of non-Muslims challenges this perspective. The article delves into the origins of Islamic violence, tracing it back to the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an’s instructions on warfare. It also explores the systemic mistreatment of Christians, Jews, and other minorities under Islamic rule, countering the image of Muslim rulers like Saladin as enlightened and just. The narrative emphasizes the need to question and re-examine modern depictions of medieval Islam, suggesting that much of its celebrated tolerance may be a myth.

Medieval History – Islam’s Golden Age: Misconception or Reality?

Islam’s Golden Age: Misconception or Reality? The article explores how historical depictions of medieval Islam may distort its legacy, addressing key myths and facts.

historymedieval.com