The best and most simple answer for those that wish to compare the brutality of religions such as Islam to that of Christianity and the Crusades. When a Christian lies in wait to murder, they are in violation of the message of Christ. When a Muslim lies in wait to murder, they are obeying the message of the Koran.
Anyone can claim to be killing in the name of Jesus, but if they do so, they are in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ Himself. Likewise and ironically, if a Muslim does not kill, tax, or convert the unbeliever for Allah, they are in direct opposition to the teachings of the Koran. For example, a suicide bomber is promised a direct entry into heaven if he murders unsuspecting innocent infidels—he commits no sin. In stark contrast, a supposed Christian murdering unbelievers is doing evil, according to Christ.
On another note, the first Viking Crusade (1096-1099) stopped the Muslim conquest and brutality in the Holy Lands. It was largely focused on returning the city of Jerusalem back to the Christians who had peaceful dominion in the city for over 450 years. The first crusade was defensive in nature. Christ makes it clear that Christians are allowed to defend themselves. What they are not allowed to do is lie in wait and murder innocent people.
There were a total of nine crusades. In contrast, there were over 500 jihadist battles against classical civilizations. Jihadists are still waging war and murdering innocent victims today. So when the supposed Christian crusaders made 8 or 9 offensive sins, they apparently either repented, understood the words of Christ, and changed their ways. Muslims, however, have always understood the words of Muhammad and they prove it with each murder, each battle, and every hate filled deed.
The message of Christ is one of change, forgiveness, and grace. Every single person has failed at being perfect. We all fall short of being the best we could be. But as we learn about how much God loved us, that he hung on a cross and died a humiliating painful death for us, we start to love others more. We begin to understand forgiveness a little better and practice it more often. Getting to know Jesus Christ changes how we see ourselves and how we see others.
For a visual presentation of the many jihadist battles: Jihad vs Crusades
For a list of violent verses in the Quran: Koran Commands to Kill Infidels
J. Suthern Hicks is the Author of: Where the Garden Begins. Available on Amazon
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Great stuff man!! I try to tell people..
Reason for the Crusades:
622 – Muhammad enter Medina and the Jewish people give him a place to stay
630 – Muhammad conquers Mecca from his base in Medina.
632 – Muhammad dies in Medina. Islam controls the Hijaz.
636 – Muslims conquest of Syria, and the surrounding lands, all Christian – including Palestine and Iraq.
637 – Muslim Crusaders conquer Iraq (some date it in 635 or 636)
638 – Muslim Crusaders conquer and annex Jerusalem, taking it from the Byzantines.
638 – 650 Muslim Crusaders conquer Iran, except along Caspian Sea.
639 – 642 Muslim Crusaders conquer Egypt.
641 – Muslim Crusaders control Syria and Palestine.
643 – 707 Muslim Crusaders conquer North Africa.
644 – 650 Muslim Crusaders conquer Cyprus, Tripoli in North Africa, and establish Islamic rule in Iran, Afghanistan, and Sind.
673 – 678 Arabs besiege Constantinople, capital of Byzantine Empire
691 – Dome of the Rock is completed in Jerusalem, only six decades after Muhammad’s death.
710 – 713 Muslim Crusaders conquer the lower Indus Valley.
711 – 713 Muslim Crusaders conquer Spain and impose the kingdom of Andalus. The Muslim conquest moves into Europe.
718 – Conquest of Spain complete.
732 – Muslim invasion of France is stopped at the Battle of Poitiers / Battle of Tours. The Franks, under their leader Charles Martel (the grandfather of Charlemagne), defeat the Muslims and turn them back out of France.
762 – Foundation of Baghdad
785 – Foundation of the Great Mosque of Cordova
789 – Rise of Idrisid amirs (Muslim Crusaders) in Morocco; Christoforos, a Muslim who converted to Christianity, is executed.
800 – Autonomous Aghlabid dynasty (Muslim Crusaders) in Tunisia
807 – Caliph Harun al–Rashid orders the destruction of non-Muslim prayer houses & of the church of Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem
809 – Aghlabids (Muslim Crusaders) conquer Sardinia, Italy
813 – Christians in Palestine are attacked; many flee the country
831 – Muslim Crusaders capture Palermo, Italy; raids in Southern Italy
837 – 901 Aghlabids (Muslim Crusaders) conquer Sicily, raid Corsica, Italy, France
869 – 883 Revolt of black slaves in Iraq
909 – Rise of the Fatimid Caliphate in Tunisia; these Muslim Crusaders occupy Sicily, Sardinia
928 – 969 Byzantine military revival, they retake old territories, such as Cyprus (964) and Tarsus (969)
937 – The Church of the Resurrection (aka Church of Holy Sepulcher) is burned down by Muslims; more churches in Jerusalem are attacked
960 – Conversion of Qarakhanid Turks to Islam 969 – Fatimids (Muslim Crusaders) conquer Egypt and found Cairo
973 – Israel and southern Syria are again conquered by the Fatimids
1003 – First persecutions by al–Hakim; the Church of St. Mark in Fustat, Egypt, is destroyed
1009 – Destruction of the Church of the Resurrection by al–Hakim (see 937)
1012 – Beginning of al–Hakim’s oppressive decrees against Jews and Christians
1050 – Creation of Almoravid (Muslim Crusaders) movement in Mauretania; Almoravids (aka Murabitun) are coalition of western Saharan Berbers; followers of Islam, focusing on the Quran, the hadith, and Maliki law.
1071 – Battle of Manzikert, Seljuk Turks (Muslim Crusaders) defeat Byzantines and occupy much of Anatolia 1071 – Turks (Muslim Crusaders) invade Palestine
1073 – Conquest of Jerusalem by Turks (Muslim Crusaders)
1075 – Seljuks (Muslim Crusaders) capture Nicea (Iznik) and make it their capital in Anatolia
1076 – Almoravids (Muslim Crusaders) (see 1050) conquer western Ghana
1086 – Almoravids (Muslim Crusaders) (see 1050) send help to Andalus, Battle of Zallaca
1090 – 1091 Almoravids (Muslim Crusaders) occupy all of Andalus except Saragossa and Balearic Islands
START OF WESTERN CRUSADES Only after all of the Islamic aggressive invasions is when Western Christendom launches its first Crusades. 1094 – Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus I asks western Christendom for help against Seljuk (Muslim Turks) invasions of his territory 1095 – Pope Urban II preaches first Crusade; they capture Jerusalem in 1099
Thanks for the information. If only people would read, study, and then use critical thinking skills.
Time to look this stuff up.