Today in 1453 Constantinople fell to attacking Muslim forces, ending the Byzantine Empire.
That this happened was a great tragedy and yet another instance of jihad being successfully waged against Christendom.
The tragedy could have been prevented had European Christians worked together, and both western and eastern Christians are responsible for the fact that they didn’t.
The fall of Constantinople also comes as a salutary warning for Europe today, whose demographic trends are dooming them to cultural extinction in the face of Muslim demographic jihad.
GET THE STORY.
Author: Jimmy Akin
Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."
View all posts by Jimmy Akin
Today in 1453 Constantinople fell to attacking Muslim forces, ending the Byzantine Empire.
And, amazingly, the West still feels guilty.
I thought the article was going to be about the surging Muslim population in Europe, but it is just about the Crusades, too bad. Anyway, can you imagine what would happen to Europe after France finally consolidates its control over it and a devout Muslim is elected president or whatever it is they have over there?
Sometimes I feel that Muslims are part of God’s plan for punishing unfaithful Christians like the Donatists or Europe. The fall of the seven churches were predicted in Revelations as a warning from God, and what happened? All those places are devoutly Muslim and anti-Christian today…
Too many people use historical events like the Crusades to disparage the Church or the idea of religion in general as being misguided. They look down their noses at us and say, “I think too much killing has been done in the name of God.”
To which I like to respond: “Yes, it is much better if we throw away our ideals and just kill for worthy things like money, land, natural resources …”
Time for a Crusade. Oh wait, there already is one.
according to Freud the fall of constantinopole was something necessary. In fact turks didn’t harm any artifacts where they conquered, but today I am very anxious about the war in Iraq not only for people and children dying, but also about the last pieces of the ancient civilization of mesopotamia. Think it again.
http://members.tripod.com/joseph_berrigan/index.html
I think this is the most irresponsible post and just catering to the islamophobia. We can not compare dark ages history with current developments nor can we draw parallels. Back then people on both sides (muslims and christians alike) were more religious fanatics. And religion back then was the main motivator for kingdoms to wage war aginst other nations and expand their influence. Example: The moorish occupied southern spain. Did they slaughter the christian and jewish populus ? No they did not, they actually allowed them to practice the religion etc. Was this a humanistic feat ? No not necessarily, back then people with another religion than islam had to pay extra taxes. But around the same time give and take a few years. European crusaders invaded countries where they were not equipped to fight nor did they have any business to be there in the first place. and violated every christian believe, by slaughtering jews men women children and muslims alike. Cruel, yes. My question to anyone who says forget the crusades and look at the other side, they are hipocrates, because they say that was the past for the crusades, but they cite the past to draw parallels to the present in regards to the ‘oh so inhuman muslims’. Equal rights for everyone. And just because some minorites have the oddesity to speak for the majority every one likes to think all are like that. But, if I would call out loud and clearly for a crusade against muslims (and I am sure I will find more than enough followers), all of a sudden the page turns and I am a weirdo and dangerous, and do not speak for all christianity. What is wrong with the world ? Why do we look for a scape goat and revert back to the middle ages ? Religion has NOTHING to do with the wars we make. It is in fact only about money, economy and influence. Those are the true motives, and we should be aware of that.
My 2 cents
Well 2 cents is 2 cents, and I want a refund.
A rather boring emotional tirade, Sam.
My question to anyone who says forget the crusades and look at the other side, they are hipocrates
Isn’t Hipocrates (or, more precisely, Hippocrates) a Greek Physician?
Deus Vult!
Isn’t Hipocrates (or, more precisely, Hippocrates) a Greek Physician?
Yes, indeed.
Esquire, a refund sounds like a good idea. I want one too.
Sam;
The most fundamental difference in this whole “crusade” fiasco– is the fact that while the “Christians” were acting completely contrary to what Jesus taught….the Muslims were actually following teachings of their “prophet”- to the letter!.
MY 2 cents!.
Erick,
You might want to re-read your history and find that the whole area that Islam sucked up in less than 100 years was all Christian. Those people were given the choice of Death, to convert, or dhimmitude.
A ruler has the right to defend those under his care, whether that be a husband, a mayor, a Duke, or a King.
Dr. Erick—
I have no idea what you are talking about!…
My point was simply that the Muslims’s attrocities were done by following the actual teachings of their prophet.
That, could not be said of the other side!