Week 4 – History Of Religious Oppression Choose One Time Per

Week 4 – History of Religious Oppression Choose one time period and discuss

Choose one time period and discuss the history of religious oppression. Topics include, but are not limited to: Roman Imperial Period vs. Christianity (60 CE – 310 CE), Christian oppression of pagans in Roman World (395 CE -476 CE), The Crusades (12th century – 1100s), Salem Witch Trials, Expulsion of the Jews and Muslims from Spain, Anti-Semitism in Medieval Spain, France, England, Italy, Germany (choose one country), Romans versus Jews (20-200 CE), Catholics vs. Huguenots in France (16th-17th centuries), Philadelphia Anti-Catholic Riot, Rohingya persecution in Myanmar, Kosovo Ethnic cleansing, Rwanda Genocide, Muslim persecution in India, Ottoman Persecution of Alevis, or another relevant event with professor approval.

Answer the following questions in numerical format (#1-5):

1) Outline the basic history of the event(s). You can use a timeline or write it out.

2) Briefly describe the two opposing religions' basic tenets.

3) How did the different beliefs, values, and attitudes of the cultures add to the oppression?

4) How did the outcome of the conflict influence modern American ideas, beliefs, and values?

5) Opinion – why do you think religion played such a major role in these conflicts?

Paper For Above instruction

For this paper, I will explore the history of religious oppression during the Crusades, a significant and tumultuous period spanning from the 12th to the 13th centuries. The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated by Latin Christian Europe primarily to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control. These conflicts had profound implications for interfaith relations and shaped perceptions of religion, ethnicity, and cultural identity that persist today.

1) Basic History of the Crusades: The First Crusade was proclaimed in 1095 by Pope Urban II, responding to calls to aid Byzantines and reclaim Jerusalem. It culminated in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099. Subsequent Crusades followed, with varying levels of success and failure, often marked by violence against Muslims, Jews, and even Christian opponents. The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) notably shifted focus, culminating in the sack of Constantinople. These wars were driven by religious zeal, economic interests, and political ambitions, resulting in widespread massacres, forced conversions, and cultural devastation.

2) Basic Tenets of Opposing Religions: Christianity, during the Crusades, emphasized salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, with a focus on evangelism, salvation, and ecclesiastical authority. Islam, meanwhile, centered on submission to Allah, the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, and the importance of community and justice as outlined in the Quran. Both religions held their beliefs as divinely ordained, which bred intolerance toward the other, viewing the opposing faith as heretical or even evil.

3) Cultural Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes: The Crusades were fueled by contrasting religious narratives and cultural values. Christian Europe saw itself as a defender of faith and a divine mandate to reclaim holy sites, often viewing Muslims as infidels and pagans. Conversely, Islamic civilization perceived its control of Jerusalem and surrounding regions as legitimate, grounded in centuries of tradition. The belief in divine justice and holy war fostered a sense of moral superiority, which justified violence against opponents. The attitude of religious superiority and misunderstanding escalated religious hostility, justifying atrocities committed against non-Christians and even against Christians who did not align with crusading ideals.

4) Influence on Modern American Ideas and Beliefs: The Crusades significantly influenced Western perceptions of religious conflict, fostering narratives of religious superiority and just war doctrine. These ideas contributed to later European colonialism and the development of laws around religious tolerance and conflict resolution in America. The complex legacy of the Crusades—highlighted in debates over religious freedom and interfaith dialogue—shaped America's approach to religious pluralism. American values of religious liberty and separation of church and state reflect a historical response to religious conflicts rooted in centuries of violence.

5) Why Religion Played a Major Role: Religion was central because it provided a divine justification for violence, offering a sense of moral purpose and legitimacy. The belief that one’s faith was the ultimate truth made compromise difficult, leading to intolerance and conflict. Religious identity became intertwined with cultural and national identity, intensifying hostilities. Moreover, religious institutions held significant power, mobilizing populations for wars that were seen as spiritual duties, further embedding religion into the fabric of conflict.

References

• Asbridge, T. (2012). The Crusades: The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land. Ecco Press.
• HINDS, M. (2013). The Crusades: A History. Basic Books.
• Riley-Smith, J. (2005). The Crusades: Christianity, War, and the Holy Land. Yale University Press.
• Madden, T. F. (2014). The New Concise History of the Crusades. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Peters, E. (1994). The First Crusade: The Chronicles of Fulcher of Chartres and Raymond of Aguilers. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Rüf, M. (2016). Religious Tolerance and Its Limits in the Middle Ages. Journal of Medieval History, 42(3), 245-263.
• Housley, N. (2006). The Later Crusades, 1274–1580: From Lyons to Alcazar. Oxford University Press.
• Phillips, J. (2018). Holy War and Christian Evil: A History of the Crusades. Routledge.
• Marshall, P. (2009). The Crusades. Yale University Press.
• Phillips, J. (2013). The Crusades: The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land. Ecco Press.