Reading Response Ch. 11-13

Hello everybody. :)

To start off, these chapters made me want to watch Kingdom of Heaven (as inaccurate as it may be).

One thing that I found interesting was mosques being a center for all sorts of things in the city, and not just religious life. Armstrong mentioned that some found this irreverent, but I think that it's pretty cool. From my observations, it seems that Muslims, more than Christians at least, live there religion. I've noticed that for many Christians, it's very easy to just leave there religion at church because it doesn't make a point of being part of everyday life (at least not to the same extent). I can't really speak to Judaism, because I'm pretty ignorant on it.

There is such a stereotype here in America that Islam is a violent religion, when in reality, their taking over of Jerusalem was by far the most peaceful transition. They were kind to their fellow Ahl al-kitaab and allowed then to continue their religious practices. 

And then came the Crusaders. That type of event that makes me feel embarrassed by association when I go into a museum. What a bloody mess. It's amazing how the things done in the name of a religion of peace and charity and love leads to violence and hate. And when Godfrey took Al-Aqsa Mosque as his headquarters? Oh my goodness. What an irreverent slap in the face. 

After a decades of relative success, when the Templars are fighting with the Hopitalers, and the newcomers are fighting with the people that were born there and things are starting to go sour, instead of facing the incoming threat of the united forces of Nur al-Did, they turn on their only ally in the region.  . . .What. Did no one say "hmmm, hey guys, maybe this is a bad idea." 

Saladin on the other hand . . . what a Champ. I really don't know what else to say on the matter. 

And lastly, I have a genuine question: is Jerusalem a hub for seismic activity? Because there seemed to be a lot of earthquakes in this part of the book.

See you guys Tuesday!