A Sad Day in History
Today is the “anniversary” of the first declaration of the Crusades in 1095. While it may be true the Crusades began as an attempt to preserve western culture from the likes of Vikings and Muslims, it’s interesting to me how the stage was set for this “invasion” of the Middle East. Read this excerpt from MSN Encarta:
In the 11th century the balance of power began to swing toward the West. The church became more centralized and stronger from a reform movement to end the practice whereby kings installed important clergy, such as bishops, in office. (See also Investiture Controversy.) Thus for the first time in many years, the popes were able to effectively unite European popular support behind them, a factor that contributed greatly to the popular appeal of the first Crusades.
Furthermore, Europe’s population was growing, its urban life was beginning to revive, and both long distance and local trade were gradually increasing. European human and economic resources could now support new enterprises on the scale of the Crusades. A growing population and more surplus wealth also meant greater demand for goods from elsewhere. European traders had always looked to the Mediterranean; now they sought greater control of the goods, routes, and profits. Thus worldly interests coincided with religious feelings about the Holy Land and the pope’s newfound ability to mobilize and focus a great enterprise.
It’s interesting that it took a merger of religious and economic factors to allow Europe the opportunity to “take” the Middle East. The article goes on to say that these Crusades set the stage for colonization that still sends rippling effects throughout the world today.
It makes me wonder why the modern church doesn’t take more responsibility for “what we have wrought?” Where did the early Popes garner their unchecked power to call people “in the name of God” to do unspeakable atrocities to other lands and peoples? Blindly, believers followed the words of their leaders, striking out in fear and feelings of superiority. Able to view “them” as faceless pagans, Christians could easily invade, destroy and mutilate a culture that was (if we believe our own doctrine) also created by God.
I know I’m oversimplifying a historical event. But the similarities I see in many of the things we do today “in the name of God” doesn’t escape me. And, being an amateur student of history, I wonder why we can’t see the similarity in our patterns of behavior today? Unquestioning loyalties? Guided thinking patterns? Religion and economy illicit bed partners, begetting bastard policies and doctrines?
And I have to wonder if we’ll ever get it right?
Take a few moments today, and ask God to forgive the terrible things we’ve done in his name. Mourn the ignorance that has driven us away from what we claim we believe. And resolve to no longer sell your soul for oversimplified, fear-filled belief that makes you feel comfortable.
“Take a few moments today, and ask God to forgive the terrible things we’ve done in his name. Mourn the ignorance that has driven us away from what we claim we believe. And resolve to no longer sell your soul for oversimplified, fear-filled belief that makes you feel comfortable.” (LGF)
I do this all the time so I also speak out against doctrines and ideas that infiltrate the church and hurt society – because not wanting to associate myself with some beliefs is one thing – but someone has to turn around that walked in that line and say ‘we have a new path’. Which I also see you doing – also Paul, Heather, and Naked Pastor.
We live in an interesting time as far as faith goes – to me the faith seems so dead (in that it divides itself from interaction with all entities). The faith also seems to be very watered with ideas of money (capitalism) and supports that system like it’s part of the gospel. I see our faith as very confused in what is important and what is not important – they have no focus or way to deal with the present since they look to the future so damn much. It’s odd but I see myself as a Christian and then again I don’t – they reject me as much as I reject them.
[...] is simply what religion or belief is right, then we lose! Because as history shows us, and my friend Lost Girl reminded us recently, whenever we have power linking arms with religion, we can cause some very [...]
End of Suburbia « Paul E. Filan said this on November 29, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I wonder if anyone expects the Islamic world to apologize in the same “what have we wrought” vein for the atrocities committed in forcibly (directly or indirectly) converting these populations from predominantly Christian and/or pagan to almost exclusively Muslim.
Also, I’m curious about where, doctrinally, you mention that God “created” those cultures. Did he also create the cultures that existed prior to the 7th and 8th centuries?
“Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest”
–Denis Diderot
Godefroi … I guess since I’m a part of the “Christian” frame, I’m more concerned about what I can do — and it does not depend on anyone else’s repentance. You make it sound like, “Well, why should we do it if THEY don’t…” a little immature, maybe?
Also, I’m not sure what you meant by the last comment. Don’t we believe God is the creator of all things? Doesn’t the Bible say all authority is “ordained” by God in some way? Aren’t Christians suppose to honor and be under authority?
Questions that lead away from the discussion, I guess …
I’m not of the “why should we” opinion. I simply think that it’s being overdone. There’s no need for us be to still be shame-faced over what the corrupt in power started 1,000 years ago. That the excesses committed during the Crusades occurred is already sufficiently acknowledged by the Church and Christians. It’s also been adequately explained that those were and are not Christian – little Christ – acts. This is kind of a sore point for me as so many people are wont to say “Well look what you did…ever hear of the CRUSADES” when we speak out against today’s terrorism that is (predominantly) spawned by Islam.
You said:
My response was related to my first paragraph. While nominal adherents to Christianity were responsible for the destruction of civilizations and cultures, especially in the Americas, numerous Jewish, Christian and pagan cultures were eradicated by rapacious Muslim hordes during the 400 years of their expansion prior to the Crusades, during the Crusader era in India, and since that era in Asia minor. Again, we (Christians) have already acknowledged those wrongs, at least for the most part. THAT horse is dead. Meanwhile, while we are still expected to grovel in humiliation over those past errors, nobody is talking about the jihad that has continued more or less unabated since 630 and has resulted in just as much destruction and loss.
SO…I didn’t intend to completely digress from your post – I too can see the treacherous path that the organized church is on – I was simply disheartened to see another Christian regretting TODAY the Crusades that ended 700 years ago.