You are mistaken. The crusades were the saddest debacle in Christianity. During this era, the papacy killed more people than Mao, Stalin and Hitler together.
For the record, those uncouth (10%) who made it through, killed more Christians than Muslims. For those idiots, everybody with a head robe was a Muslim. Yes, even 1000 years after the birth of Islam, there were more X'tians in Arabia than Muslims. Yes Nabih Moh'd, Abu Bakr et al were more tolerant than any Akbar or Shivaji. The Crusaders did not win any battle of consequence - only massacares. They looted the Holy Land. Each section wanted their church somewhere around.
Yes, this caucausion mayhem thrashed eastern tolerance and trust and consequently contaminated further thrusts east wards. It wasn't so much the Arabs as the Persians and norther tribes who pillaged India. They were not bothered with conversion as much as rape and loot. Conversion by coercion and force is a recent phenomena (a few centuries old). Most converts (except Goa and UP) were forcibly converted.
We have a beautiful culture and values. Let us not be tainted and divided along caucasion lines. It does not matter to the white man whether you are Hindu, Muslim or X'tian.
Let us love one another and not misinterpret the Holy Books and contort history.
Contact me on joelov@rediffmail.com to provide you specific links or references on independant facts and history.
