Christian Jihad

"Deus Vult"

• Pope Urban II
• First Crusade

Perspectives:

• Christians believed they were fighting the Crusades in the name of Jesus to take back the place of his birth from infidels.
• Muslims believed they were defending land that was theirs. From their perspective, Christians were brutal invaders.

Christian Jihad?

• Source Activity
• Central Question:
• Could the Crusades be considered a Christian Holy War (Jihad)?

Implications for Today

• Muslim militants preach against modern "crusaders"
• Palestinians curse Israelies as "crusaders" in hopes the Jewish state will dissappear
• New Western crusaders are bringing western values into Islamic nations