[simonh]

"Almost the whole world that is islamic became muslim through military occupation, the mass slaughter of the males who fought or would not convert, the looting of property and the selling off into slavery of their women and children."

s/is islamic became muslim/was colonial became christian/

"Islamic militancy was going on for hundreds of years before christianity responded in kind."

Try a search for the word "crusade" on wikipedia. You might find it enlightening.

[cousin_it]

What specifically should I find enlightening?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades

== Middle Eastern situation ==

In 636 CE, Muslim forces led by the Arab Rashidun Caliphs defeated the Eastern Roman/Byzantines at the Battle of Yarmouk, conquering Palestine...

== Western European situation ==

The western European idea of the Crusades came in response to the deterioration of the Byzantine Empire caused by a new wave of Turkish Muslim attacks...

[simonh]

How did the Romans/Byzantines get into Palestine in the first place? "They started it" as a historical excuse is a pretty poor rationalisation. The point is right now, in the current generation and given the current situation what is the best way to proceed.