Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Significance of the Cross

There are many ways to combat Islam. Some important strategies include: forming grass-roots and popular organizations; influencing government policies such as changing immigrations laws pertaining to Islam; writing about Islam both in an informative and analytic manner.

But, I don't think there has ever been a country that successfully defeated Islam without including religion into the equation. And of all the world's religions, Christianity has had the most success.

Western Europe, which only until a few decades ago was an unabashedly Christian entity, repelled Islam twice in its history. Even Islam occupied Spain managed to rid itself of all (at least superficial) Muslim influence. The East African Christian country of Ethiopia, after a devastating Muslim invasion, succeeded in regaining land and country in tact after only a few years of combat in the 15th century.

India, on the other hand, despite its valiant fight against Islam, is still overwhelmed by periodic internal invasions (or aggressions) by its resident Muslims. The Persians couldn't even sustain prolonged opposition to Islam and capitulated to the Muslims, even accepting Islam as their own religion. China seems to have been saved from constant Muslim aggression, unlike India, yet I would venture to say that their peace is brought about their very strict and stifling culture, which wouldn’t let any kind of dissent, let alone a religious one, into their country.

As well as using the many strategies to fight Islam I mentioned above, we cannot be ambiguous about the most successful one, which has been to include Christianity as a decisive force. That is why I have put the cross, the most recognizable and visible symbol of Christianity, on top of this blog. Even the Crusaders used it on their armor, their clothing, their shields and their flags. They knew they needed all the help they could get.

Photobucket
The Siege of Antioch, from a medieval
miniature painting, during the First Crusade.


ADDENDUM:
I should add that Muslims expressly use their relgious icons, symbols and texts in their mission to convert the whole world to Islam. I would think our correponding strenght would be to use our Christian symbols.