- published: 02 Dec 2015
- views: 7429
The Crusades were a series of religious expeditionary wars blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church, with the stated goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem. The Crusades were originally launched in response to a call from the leaders of the Byzantine Empire for help to fight the expansion into Anatolia of Muslim Seljuk Turks who had cut off Christian access to Jerusalem, and were also sparked by the destruction of many Christian sacred sites and the persecution of Christians under the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim. The crusaders comprised military units of Roman Catholics from all over western Europe, and were not under unified command. The main series of Crusades, primarily against Muslims in the Levant, occurred between 1095 and 1291. Historians have given many of the earlier crusades numbers. After some early successes, the later crusades failed and the crusaders were defeated and forced to return home.
Several hundred thousand soldiers became Crusaders by taking vows; the Pope granted them plenary indulgence. Their emblem was the cross — the term "crusade" is derived from the French term for taking up the cross. Many were from France and called themselves "Franks," which became the common term used by Muslims.
It was the year 1095, in the heart of France.
Summoned by the Papal Decree to the Holy Land,
"Drive out the Infadel from the Realm of Promise!"
"Destroy the enemies of our Lord and restore His kingdom!"
From a heart of darkness came a twisted faith.
Reaching to the far east with a burning hate.
The thunder of the drums of war decended on the masses.
The Great Commission, forged with steel would bring desaster
Religious lies had taken hold
A war of murder, rape and gold
Blood was flowing through the land
A gospel with an iron hand
A ministry death and hate
Millions chained to it's carnal state
Mad with the power to control
This is a church with a dark crusade
Centuries have come and gone since the Crusades
But a brutal conquest has still remained
Oppression of humanitiy; conjured conviction
Religion and it's tyranny will bring destruction
Just sign here on the dotted line
Do what we say and you'll be fine
You're blind devotion is the key
To save your soul eternally
In the bonds of a legalistic state
You'll find a heart in a rusted chains
Mad with the power to control
This is a church with a dark crusade
Sound mind and reason
Have long been dead and crucified
Soul dead self righteous hypocricy is justified
In the bowels of a prison
Where many souls are laid to waste
You'll find the heart of a church