I have heard some say that no Christians slaughter people in the name of God. How then do we explain the Crusades?
The Crusades were a series of religion-driven military campaigns waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents. Crusades were fought mainly against Muslims, though campaigns were also directed against pagan Slavs, Jews, Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians, Mongols, Cathars, Hussites, Waldensians, Old Prussians and political enemies of the popes.
For two or three centuries, many Protestants have given figures concerning the total number of people killed directly or indirectly by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The numbers given include 50 million, 68 million, 100 million, 120 million, and 150 million. Roman Catholics typically give much smaller numbers. Frequently the figures are stated without any information about where they came from or how they were computed. The purpose of this note is to describe where some of these figures come from and to comment on their reliability. Surely nearly all Roman Catholics as well as Protestants disapprove of past religious persecutions, so this discussion should not reflect negatively on current members of the Roman Catholic Church. However, events in Nazi Germany show how easily persecution can revive, so it is necessary to be on guard against it and maintain an awareness of its history. Of course, many other groups besides the Papacy have persecuted. And all of us, without Christ, have the roots of sin in ourselves. The reason the Papacy stands out is that it has ruled for such a long period of time over such a large area, exercised so much power, and claimed divine prerogatives for its persecutions. The magnitude of the persecutions is important for the following reason: One can excuse a few thousand cases as exceptional, but millions and millions of victims can only be the result of a systematic policy, thereby showing the harmful results of church-state unions.
In this study I have attempted, with some success, to penetrate the veil of obscurity that surrounds the Middle Ages in order to determine the true history of this period.
In order to consider this subject, it is necessary to recall many unpleasant events. The dreadful totals, computations, and examples that follow, one after another, are not for the faint hearted. These atrocities should convince us not so much of the evils of a particular religious system as of the depravity of the sinful human heart, and lead us to turn to Christ for repentance and salvation that we might have new hearts and be cleansed from sin.
If Unites States of America can change the Whole world will change. The richest and the oldest democracy decided to change the world will change. As you said President Elect the work just began, there is a long way to go. The change should be clear, honest and slow. The world is different in its diversity. So take change along with each individual nation’s behaviour and culture. Making them sticking to themselves and change for the better. When US imposed things on to the world without knowing what they are it only changed the nation – but not for the better but for the worst. The change should come from you for the better. We as a world should fist sit and look to give food to the world population first. Starvation death and militant wars must stop. If starvation stops the militancy will wane away. Every one should have engagements for the better living else will do something that is not required of them to the nations. So better be engaged for a change and the change will come in fast at thick. Ethos of democrats, socialists, autocrats, capitalists or any kind is great and welcome but should be dealt with honesty and equilibrium. It is not the thought, but the way of deeds that makes this world bitter and chaos. So clearly and change we can and it should be for a great bright future.
With love from India, Manoj
To President Elect B. Obama
I am from Turkiye but a man who belongs to this world.
I am an independant film-maker and my passion is telling stories with images. That's why I am not going to prolong my blog. Here is why I support Obama, with a short movie I've made two years ago. The African child in the movie would be Obama's daughter If she wasn't born in America or Obama was still living in Africa. And I believe that he would be the only person who would handle with this truth... The truth, that is not only in my film,
The truth, that is all "in front of our eyes".
Here it is, the film:
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42734492
Beyond the cost as measured in human lives and our international reputation, the war in Iraq has had a financial cost of more than $600 billion. This money is the missed opportunity of a generation. We've paid, and will continue to pay, so that the Bush administration can destabilize Iraq and engender hatred of America and the west.
In an effort to show these missed opportunities, Boston.com ran a special this week -- 'What can $611 Billion Buy?'
