All good Christians then?

Question

Throngs of crusaders in the Rhine valley followed a goose believed to be enchanted by God to be their guide. I'm not sure that they got very far, although they did manage to join other armies following Emich of Leisingen who asserted that a cross miraculously appeared on his chest, certifying him for leadership. Showing a level of rationality consistent with their choice of leaders, Emich's followers decided that before they traveled across Europe to kill God's enemies, it would be a good idea to eliminate the infidels in their midst. Thus suitably motivated, they proceeded to massacre the Jews in German cities like Mainz and Worms. Thousands of defenseless men, women and children were chopped, burned or otherwise slaughtered.

This sort of action was not an isolated event — indeed, it was repeated throughout Europe by all sorts of crusading hordes. Lucky Jews were given a last-minute chance to convert to Christianity in accord with Augustine's doctrines. Even other Christians were not safe from the Christian crusaders. As they roamed the countryside, they spared no effort in pillaging towns and farms for food. When Peter the Hermit's army entered Yugoslavia, 4,000 Christian residents of the city of Zemun were massacred before they moved on to burn Belgrade

Answer 1

Christians are crazy, violent s.o.b.'s. They used to crucify cats, and torture them, because they thought the "devil" was in their eyes. I found an encyclopedia published in 1935. It said that the German population was 51% Lutheran and 45% Roman Catholic. These Christians became fervant Nazis and anti-Semites. The Christian throngs showed up at Hitler's rallies by the hundreds of thousands. They loved him. 51% of the soldiers in Hitler's army were Lutheran. 45% of the guards in the concentration camps were Roman Catholic. Many of the big Christian clergyman of the day supported Hitler in old newspaper articles that exist to this day. They were German equivalents of Billy Graham and Pat Robertson. When Hitler lost, the Christians dissociated themselves from Hitler, and tried to re-write history. The Church helped many Nazis flee after the war. Italy (another Christian nation) was Germany's greatest ally. Most of the death camps that killed Jews were in Christian Poland. Hitler once even commented that it was his reward to the Poles, since they were so anti-Semitic. Read "The Comfortable Pew," by Pierre Berton. The current Pope was even a member of the Hitler Youth at that time.

Answer 2

Christianity has always been abused - ever since the time of Jesus. In fact, most of the main reasons why Christianity gets a bad press is because of the awful things done by supposed believers. This should not be surprising: as a believer I am convinced that much of this is demonic activity to prevent people accepting Jesus.
There is a safeguard: a close relationship with God through worship and prayer and by checking everything against scriptural teaching. If a supposed prophet or leader claims inspiration from God then their words and ideas must be checked against scripture. Most of your examples would have been non-starters had this criterion been applied.

Answer 3

Yes, history is full of the stupid things that people do. We think to ourselves, 'how could they possibly be that dumb?' without realizing that 1000 years from now society will see us the very same way.

Besides, just saying you're a Christian isn't enough. After all, there's proof in the pudding as Granny used to say. The evidence of their belief is obvious from the actions they took. Try not to blame a modern day person for the actions of idiots years before, and I'll do the same for you. okay :)

Answer 4

I realize that your question is spoken in sarcasm. My response is designed to Underscore your point:

"Let no one seduce you in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first." 2 Thessalonians 2:3
http://www.watchtower.org/library/pr/article_04.htm

Should You Believe Everything You Hear? :
~ Propaganda Can Be Deadly
~ The Manipulation of Information
~ Do Not Be a Victim of Propaganda
~ Is the Work of Jehovah's Witnesses Propagandistic?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2000/6/22/article_01.htm

{Jesus] said to them:
“Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with [their] lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.’ Letting go the commandment of God, YOU hold fast the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:6-9)

"For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge; for, because of not knowing the righteousness of God but seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." (Romans 10:2,3)

Can the Churches Be Saved?
~ True Christianity Is Flourishing!
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/3/1/article_01.htm

Sustained Through Terrible Trials
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1998/6/1/article_01.htm

Religious Persecution--Why?
~ They Triumphed Over Persecution
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2003/3/1/article_01.htm

Courageous in the Face of Nazi Peril
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1998/7/8/article_01.htm

Religious Persecution in Georgia — How Much Longer?
~ Mob Rule Continues
~ The World Is Watching
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2002/1/22/article_01.htm

High Court Upholds True Worship in "the Land of Ararat"
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2003/4/1/article_01.htm

Answer 5

I guess there is a question in there somewhere.

There have been misguided Christians for a long time, that doesn't make God wrong, or Jesus sacrifice anything less than it was.

I am terrible at math, however if I get an answer wrong that doesn't make the question wrong. Look for God in his Word, not a lie and you just might find God. I hope for your sake you do find him.

God Bless...

Answer 6

I do not know I only know that all good christians isn and must seek forgiveness for it. Again I see someone dredging up past happenings and being judgemental. I would like to think that some of these crusader were not of God but oother powers. It is nor impossible.

Answer 7

Hmmm...
If they were following a goose, it's pretty obvious they weren't following the Lamb of God.

Stuff like this happens when "Christian" wannabees hide their greed and their lust for power behind a religious facade. It's still happening today, and there are still idiots who blame it on Christ, and not on the idiots who are doing the actual pillaging, chopping, burning, or otherwise slaughtering. Rather foolish of them, wouldn't you say?

Answer 8

Very true. The Crusades were wrong, and the people who conducted them weren't very Christlike. I am sure God was very displeased by all the violence and killing. God wants converts not corpses. If people don't want to convert to Christianity, then they should be allowed to make that choice and be left alone.

Answer 9

I didn't see a question but I guess the answer is that those particular people were idiots and that does nothing to invalidate Christianity.

Answer 10

Unfortunately EVERY religion has had its time of shame.
This was the Christians we admit it asked Forgiveness and tried to better ourselves.

So are you trying to stir things up again this morning?