Anti-Muslim backlash coming or not?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

No that isn't correct - the first crusades were about protecting Constantinople but at the same time there was a ongoing factional feud between the Roman Catcatholic and Eastern orthodox churches.

Constantinople was conquered in the early 13th century under the pretext of The Fourth Crusade.

In my opinion the 4th Crusade wasn't a crusade at all for that reason.

Had the Roman gods been the driving religion they would have been invoked instead.

That isn't correct either. Monotheism is useful politically because it creates less dissent - especially if the institutions of religion are under the control of the State (as they were in England after the Reformation). Under the Roman system the Gods were used in a largely political way too - though because religion was diluted among numerous different temples and cults, there wasn't any particular one that had dominance - certainly not to fire someone up in pursuit of Holy War.

Maybe not in an overarching "holy war" but the Romans certainly referenced their borrowed gods in war.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It proves that the crusades were as much political as they were justified by religious fervour. Nothing about them is inherently Christian or Muslim.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

My point exactly...religion was a tool not a reason...at least for the west.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Maybe not in an overarching "holy war" but the Romans certainly referenced their borrowed gods in war.

Well you won't really find any ancient or medieval society that didn't do that.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

It proves that the crusades were as much political as they were justified by religious fervour. Nothing about them is inherently Christian or Muslim.

Creating a "them" and "us" scenario is essential in motivating persons toward hostilities with another group. Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", written in the 6th c. B.C. references that tactic. By now, we should be able to easily recognize such manipulations.

Edited November 9, 2009 by Sofiyya

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Certainly - the same sorts of people bang on about the evils of political correctness when it comes to TSA officials deciding who gets "additional screening" at airports. They don't realise that marginalising people on the basis of ethnicity or religion only serves to create a climate of prejudice which makes extremism and violence more likely.

Edited November 9, 2009 by Gene Hunt

[Darnell 8,480]

So the major is conscious , talked with a military lawyer recently, hospital in San Antonio.

The President is at Fort Hood for the Memorial Service.

Holy War Comments? Wow - such a thread drift. yikes !