Crusades Religious Factors

“The Crusades - the most signal and most durable monument of human folly that has yet appeared in any age or nation.” (David Hume) Typically, historians question the events of history, how they happened, when they happened, or even if they happened. In the case of the Holy Crusades, however, the events, and how they occurred are not the source of contention amongst historians. Instead, the motivating factors that initiated the Holy Crusades are under scrutiny. Religion and its involvement in the initiation of the Crusades is in question. Were the Crusades motivated primarily by religious factors? Potentially, there are numerous commentaries and personal opinions regarding this subject, but I read only two of those. First, the “yes” side; Hans Eberhard Mayer argued, rather feebly, that the Crusades were indeed motivated primarily by religious factors. Next, the “no” side; Ronald C. Finucane asserted that religious factors were not the primary motivation behind the Crusades; he maintains this was merely a front for a war with the Muslims. I was already leaning towards the …show more content…
The greed and fear of the participants was a strong element behind the Crusades. The economic relief of European countries was another component, because they wanted to end the constant fighting amongst their own people and unite them against the Muslims. The trade routes were extremely profitable and were nonetheless a benefit of the Crusades to all involved. Instead of fulfilling righteous purposes, the Crusades were merely a façade for religious intentions. “Every war results from the struggle for markets and spheres of influence, and every war is sold to the public by professional liars and totally sincere religious maniacs, as a Holy Crusade to save God and Goodness from Satan and Evil.” (Robert Anton