Neither Were Crusaders True Christians

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Sep 16, 2009 at 18:26

We have seen that labeling is a means to philosophically categorize the personality of one with whom one desires to challenge an opposing point of view. It is many times a loose association of the label and its intended personal categorization, but more often there is no semblance between the two. In that light, let us take an arbitrary look at the use of the term Arab imperialism, which on the surface of it all, there are articles of history that would allow for the limited use of the term, such as in reference to the many former Muslim caliphates which operated in a fashion generally considered imperialist. Recent history (relative to the hundreds of years of Islam's existence) gave us the example of the Ottoman Empire, it really being the last of such domains.

But let us consider the labeling used by those who are loathe to accept the label of imperialist, and challenge the converse labeling of Christians as crusaders for the Islamic perception of foreign intruders into Muslim territory. In practical reality, this is not merely a means of attributing contempt that Islam has for Christianity, but in its use there is a misconception of what it really means. Typically, from the original use of the term, crusaders were members of a religious persuasion that had adopted the symbolism of Christianity; but did not have its true spirit. Conquering in the name of Christ was never a Biblical mandate, neither is it now.

Now, in the middle of the previous writer's dissertation is a misstatement of the facts at hand, that it is not correct to say that Islam is a universal faith. If that were true, then this forum would not be debating Islam versus any other religious perspective, but maybe only the differences between shia and sunni. For the faith to be universal, all others would never have existed. Unfortunately for Islam, not only is it not universal (so much blood has been shed to make this observation without being tongue-in-cheek), it is one of many that have come along to challenge the Hebrew Holy Bible and the Truth it contains. And we will point out; Christianity is not universal in this temporal realm either. Even encapsulated in the previous writer's assertion of universality is another reason why it is not, that the Arabic Language was not more than a local language with various dialectic versions as to cause problems in understanding the Quran even in Arabic, and every Arabic scholar makes more than a fine point that the Quran cannot really be understood outside of its Arabic.

Only in the expansion of Islam during the early years did the religion gain widespread use, only to recede after its greatest influences were held back until the recent years of its resurgence. This was not due to the universal understanding of the Quran and the usage of its tenets for societal changes (for-reiterating, its true understanding must come from understanding it in Arabic), but interpretations by the Arabic scholarship are used, some correctly, some not, in order to promote acceptance by those who will take it to heart, and subservience by those who will not so accept. There is nothing universal in that.

Having said all of that, and in the spiritual context of the cordiality and friendliness proffered by the previous writer, an offering of the love found in the true spirit of real Christianity is shared here by presenting the Truth of Jesus Christ, who died for the salvation of those who believe in Him in faith, out of the love of Almighty God. His offer of salvation through His sacrifice on the cross for our sins is the best demonstration of love offered for humanity, and accepting and believing in Him as LORD and Savior. Crusaders swinging swords in conquest were not offering this love, thereby disqualifying the means to call them true Christians. But understanding the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best means of understanding how His love is the only means to achieve a personal peace in this world of chaotic and imperialist ambitions, which will be the death of this world when Jesus Christ returns. You will not find this in the Quran.

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