|
Thoran, at the time of the Crusades, the "Holy Land" was the intersection of most of the major trade routes connecting the East and the West. The land was also mineral and agriculturally rich. Don't confuse the last 500 years of land mismanagment for what we see today. Propaganda then is the same as today. Define the objective and the enemy. The objective: control world trade and find a use for 2nd and 3rd sons. The enemy: those who were living together peacefully in the reason. ie Infidels control the Holy Land. Our religion demands that we free the "holy" places.
Yes there were people who became involved for religious reasons. Yes, many people entered into it with no desire for personal gain or glory. But we cannot blind ourselves to the fact that for many leaders, then and now, the easiest way to stop discontent is to manufacture an external enemy. The various Pope's and heads of state in Europe entered into these crusades based on very pragmatic control and monetary reasons.
Islamic caliphs were guilty of imperialism as well as European monarchs. It is unfair to both Islam and Christianity that religion is the mask that greedy rulers used.
__________________
|