Should I be offended by a term referring to activities done centuries ago?
No, but today's Islamic terrorist savages are still fighting those battles from millennia ago. If they weren't so dangerous, they'd be ludicrous.
Crusaders did fight. And they lost. Can't say I'm sorry about it either.
Which Crusaders? The Crusaders of the Reconquista who retook the majority of Spain from the Muslims? The Crusaders of Henry II of England who "spread" catholicism to Ireland? The Crusaders who retook Sicily? The Crusaders who founded and held the Kingdom of Jerusalem for 2 generations? The Crusaders who retained control of portions of the middle east for 5 centuries? The Crusaders who sacked Constantinople and went home rich, corrupt, and happy? The children of the Children's Crusade who were sold into slavery? The Crusaders of the Hospitaler order who founded what we know as western banking? The Crusaders of the Templars who, though feared and hated, were among the most influential political bodies in the mediterannean for over a century? The Crusaders who halted Islamic invasions of the West by fighting it in the east? My Jr. level college final paper was on the thesis that the First Crusade was justified and successful, so, I'm getting pretty curious here.
Which crusaders are you talking about?
What is your definition of losing?
Though, honestly, given the source that's being quoted around here is the wikipedia, I'm not expecting much scholarship in the reply.
I'd submit that the Crusades greatly reduced internicene warfare in Europe, halted or greatly slowed Muslim expansion, which was the single greatest military threat of the age, brought new levels of learning and information to Europe and thereby laid the foundations of the Rennaisance. (I have to laugh at the thought that it was the blood and effort of the politically incorrect Christian warriors that gave the Rennaisance philosophers the time, information, prosperity, and safety they needed to become good athiests, socialists, and intermittent wackos such as Occham.)
Did they lose? Simple answer? Are you currently speaking Arabic? No?
Then in large part, the Crusaders won.
the pinnacle of intellectual sloth
Ouch!
My preacher, who's father founded a denomination called the Crusaders Churches of America, tells me that "crusader" means "one who carries the cross." That is, the cross that Jesus commanded his followers to bear, symbolizing that a Christian commits his life to the faith and is willing to suffer and die if necessary. Of course, Jesus wasn't talking about a military campaign.
It is interesting that the Crusaders are so roundly denounced today, while no one seems to care that Mohammed and his followers conquered "Christian" territory, such as North Africa and Constantinople. But then, there is nothing really news-worthy about Muslims conquering with the sword. We expect better from those who claim to be Christians. This is because Christ was morally perfect and an example of love and forgiveness. While the Koran is profuse with praise for Allah's mercy, the Prophet both dictated and participated in religious war, if I understand correctly.
"crusader" means "one who carries the cross."
Er, no, that would be "croissant" - the French named a food for it!
I am quite familiar with the history of the Crusades, and my information comes from many sources (the least of which is Wikipedia).
My question was meant more to be sardonic, as in, hmm&Should I be offended by a term referring to activities done centuries ago? Is this the latest slur?
You know what? Never mind. Forget I brought it up&.
You asked, I answered. To me, I enjoy reading about history. I not only read about the Crusades, I visited Crusader outposts as well as Turkish border posts.
Some photos of one of the Crusade era castles I visited. This site has not been professionally restored or even really touched. It was amazing how much of the structure was still standing after hundreds of years.
http://www.revdisk.net/photos/SCastleRuins.jpg
http://www.revdisk.net/photos/SCastleCross.jpg
http://www.revdisk.net/photos/SCastleLowerWall.jpg
http://www.revdisk.net/photos/SCastleView2.jpg
http://www.revdisk.net/photos/SCastleWall.jpg
As for whether or not to be offended, that is your choice. No one can force you to be offended. You make that decision up for yourself. Same thing if you think it's a slur or not.
No, but today's Islamic terrorist savages are still fighting those battles from millennia ago. If they weren't so dangerous, they'd be ludicrous.
Er, far less than a millenna ago. If one was talking about the Crusades in general, the Northern Crusades lasted until the 16th Century. There are many national and ethnic grudges that do go back hundreds of years, not just Islam's dislike of the Crusaders.
Heck, I met some British soldiers that wear specialized headgear. They have a white feather in their beret, half white and half red. Apparently, hundreds of years ago, the Brits slaughtered a bunch of French. To show their contempt, they dipped the tip of a white feather in French blood and took to wearing it to taunt the French. Uh, cute and amusing, but one would think petty slaughter would be overlooked after a few hundred years?
Ludicrous, perhaps. But go down to Texas and tell the folks around the Alamo that the battle happened a really long time ago, and it's fairly ludicrous to still be bringing it up. I'd wear a vest with plates if you chose to do so.
Saying that "Crusaders" slaughtered and murdered and did horrible things is sort of like saying that "Americans murdered and raped children." becuase of local news.
Very interesting choice of words, Bemidjiblade. If I remember correctly, you published material here that tried to apologize for child molesters and rapists.
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/viewtopic.php?id=564
Sorry if I don't find those words too comforting from a freak apologist like you. Oh yea. That organization you are associated with? It's currently associated with "people" fighting stat rape law, and attempting to drastically lower the age of consent.
That's right, I'm still watching that quasi-legitimate front for the freak movement you associated yourself with.