They might as well be “the cursades.” Since this time in history was my purview a long time ago in college I will comment.
Most folks today who think poorly of the Church during The Crusades have usually never read a decent book about The Crusades, let alone made a study of this period of history. Remember, prior to the rise of Islam the Mediterranean and surrounding land was a “Chrstian Lake.” Many in the 21st century have come to believe that all those folks converted to Islam over coffee and nice conversation. There are many reasons for this, but most notably, as of late is our Presidents pontificating on Islam and peace and the late Pope John Paul II’s ill advised and poorly thought out apology for “The Crusades.”
Much went on before, during, and after The Crusades. Yes, many bad things were done in the name of Christ during that time, but that is the point, it was “that time.” So before you go off on a reconcilliation apology march to Istanbul and the Holy Land, read a good history of this period, there are many.
AJC
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