The first of the Crusades began in 1095, when armies of Christians from Western Europe responded to Pope Urban II’s plea to go to war against Muslim forces in the Holy Land. After the First Crusade achieved its goal with the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, the invading Christians set up several Latin Christian states, even as Muslims in the region vowed to wage holy war (jihad) to regain control over the region. Deteriorating relations between the Crusaders and their Christian allies in the Byzantine Empire culminated in the sack of Constantinople in 1204 during the Third Crusade. Near the end of the 13th century, the rising Mamluk dynasty in Egypt provided the final reckoning for the Crusaders, toppling the coastal stronghold of Acre and driving the European invaders out of Palestine and Syria in 1291.
The Crusades were a series of military campaigns during the time of Medieval England against the Muslims of the Middle East. In 1076, the Muslims had captured Jerusalem - the most holy of holy places for Christians. Jesus had been born in nearby Bethlehem and Jesus had spent most of his life in Jerusalem. He was crucified on Calvary Hill, also in Jerusalem. There was no more important place on Earth than Jerusalem for a true Christian which is why Christians called Jerusalem the "City of God".
However, Jerusalem was also extremely important for the Muslims as Muhammad, the founder of the Muslim faith, had been there and there was great joy in the Muslim world when Jerusalem was captured. A beautiful dome - called the Dome of the Rock - was built on the rock where Muhammad was said to have sat and prayed. The rock was so holy that no Muslim was allowed to tread on it or touch it when visiting the Dome.
Thus the Christians fought to get Jerusalem back while the Muslims fought to keep Jerusalem. These wars were to last nearly 200 years.
However, Jerusalem was also extremely important for the Muslims as Muhammad, the founder of the Muslim faith, had been there and there was great joy in the Muslim world when Jerusalem was captured. A beautiful dome - called the Dome of the Rock - was built on the rock where Muhammad was said to have sat and prayed. The rock was so holy that no Muslim was allowed to tread on it or touch it when visiting the Dome.
Thus the Christians fought to get Jerusalem back while the Muslims fought to keep Jerusalem. These wars were to last nearly 200 years.
So in the beginning Jihad was on the defense. Now Jihad is on the offense and Obama is trying to dissect ISIS (ISIL) as if they are a cancer to true Islam. Wrong. They fight among themselves and now they see a weak Obama down sizing our military and abandoning land and leaving it there for the taking, an area the size of England. Islam is more than JUST a religion it is a way of life. Those not actively involved in Jihad still support it no matter what Obama says. Yes they kill in the name of Allah even in the U.S (work place violence...right). We are all infidels and don't ever forget it....they won't. The West represents everything that Islams are against. Yes it is an ancient and misguided religion with archaic customs but they have declared war against us. Boots on the ground is a must. Why in God's name (not Allah's) would you leave boots on the ground out of the equation and tell them that upfront. A war does not have to be holy to be justified. Protecting your country and your allies is justified at all costs.
Well ISIS is a little different in that they will kill another Muslim that is not Sunni and quick as they will kill an American or Jew (maybe they will kill the Jew the quickest) - this is a big difference between Al Qaeda and ISIS - Bin Laden didn't care for attacking other Muslims while ISIS is cutting their heads off and leaving them on poles - I think we should just let them fight among themselves and bomb and drone them 24/7 - it seems to be working with Al Qaeda
If someone is armed and threatens you do you ask them which state they are from. Just kidding. Seriously though they have declared war on us. Do you want to confront him here or over there and do you want to do it now or later. Just saying. We need leadership. Obama has already gone against what his military advisors told him. At this time it is all on him.
