So let me get this straight...... you say that you don't "defend the crusades".
I don't defend the Crusades,
For starters, the Muslims had already invaded Europe from the West in Spain in 711 and were pushing into France until Charles Martel turned them around at the Battle of Tours in 732 - thereby saving Europe and eventually, civilization as we know it.
Meanwhile, there were essentially three Crusades against the Muslims in the middle east. The first was from 1096-1099, the second from 1147-1162, and a third from 1187-1192.
As you can see from the dates, the Christians were centuries behind the Muslims in invading the other's domains.
The Crusades were a minor blip in slowing down the progress of Islamic conquest.
And yet that act as if it was the worst thing imaginable. The jihadists still talk about reconquering Spain because, to them, once land falls under Muslim control, it must stay that way always.
Islam is a very territorial religion. And it is that way because its founder was not just a religious figure. Mohamed was also a military, political, and social leader. There is yet more proof of why religion should have NO place in politics and running a nation.
Islam is what results. Fourteen centuries of warfare and oppression of everyone they come up against. Originally Posted by ExNYer
And you follow it up with......a lengthy defensive argument FOR.the.crusades?
Dementia much?