So, last night my Sweetheart and I watched the movie “Kingdom of Heaven”. I really enjoyed the movie, but I am not certain if the story really happened the way it was portrayed in the movie.
I know that the crusades were horrible, and it sheds a bad light on Christianity. I just can’t grasp that Christian men (and women) have killed in the name of God (and some still do that today). The film also shows that the ‘church’ was at major fault for those crusades; not to spread the Gospel, but to gain earthly riches. Isn’t the institution ‘church’ at fault today that so many people stay away from it? And at the end, stay away from God? God deserves our worship for the mighty things He has done for us, in sending His Son to die for our sins.
I mean, honestly, who are we as mere humans to ‘play’ the hand of God? I think that God can take care of Himself.
For me, the best part of the movie was almost toward the end…The hero, Balian, said that the Kingdom of Heaven is in the head and the heart of a person, and that you can’t confine God into some walls, if it is a city or a church building. How true that is.
So, when you have a chance, watch the movie (although, I do have to warn you – the battle scenes are very graphical and ugly – but then again – war is ugly)…
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Good comments. I believe that back in those times “religion” was a very “political” thing. I cannot judge, but it appeared that many people didn’t understand the difference between religion and a relationship with God. Then once hollywood gets ahold of it, the story gets mixed up even more. I agree, a relationship with God is the most important thing.
I know next to nothing about the crusades… and I’m sure there were some not so good reasons for fighting. However, there was also the cause of stopping the rampant spread of Islam… which is not exactly a spurious reason. It’s hard to know from modern history books and anti-us Hollywood whether the crusades were more offensive or defensive, know what I mean? I saw a book title offered by the Conservative Book Club once which purported to shed some light on the crusades…now I wish I had read it!
I think I could get my hubby intersted in viewing it….perhaps next weekend. I am more curious now. Blessings
I won’t say that Christian hands were spotless during the Crusades, but Muslims deserve more of the blame than they’ve been getting. The same goes for the new movie about Joseph McCarthy, who is slammed more than is fair.
I agree that a realationship with God is the top most important thing than “religion.” When people say “well, I don’t go to church because all that’s there is a bunch of hypocrites and they’re trying to get your money.” Well, that may be true. But a church is nothing but a hospital for “sick” people and we all are not perfect. So don’t deny God your presence and your worship and glory just because of some “sick” people. That’s a very sorry excuse for not getting up out of bed on a Sunday morning and worshipping the very God that gives you the air you breathe.