The Crusades: The Significance of Jerusalem

Today we began studying the Crusades: a series of military expeditions in which Christians and Muslims fought for control of Jerusalem and other cities in Palestine (which was called the Holy Land by medieval Christians). 

We discussed the reasons that Jerusalem is considered a sacred site by the followers of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

We also talked about why European Christians were so motivated to risk their lives and travel thousands of miles to try to reclaim control of Jerusalem from the Turks.

William: I think the Muslims who allowed Christians and Jews to visit and live in Jerusalem believed in the kind of jihad that relates to improving yourself, rather than the kind of jihad that relates to fighting others.


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