But they needed somewhere to call their own, a symbol, and they felt a right to visit that symbolic place anytime they liked, even if it meant fighting for it.

And they did, many times over, no matter who or what stood in their way.

Did someone say that sounds like The Crusades?

Yes, it does.

A string of Church-sanctioned wars spanning centuries were waged to reclaim (or claim) Jerusalem on behalf of the Christian citizens. Armies went to Jerusalem for religious reasons but returned with riches instead.

Let’s not list all of what and who was plundered and abused: gold, silver, gems, art, women, children. Instead, let’s mention the desire to go back and do it over again. Christians successfully reached their objective several times, only to lose it several times, too. Oh yes, the Crusades won their goals, but they also lost them.

Lost on purpose?

Is that possible?

Sure. Why not? Going back to Jerusalem in the name of Christ allows more plundering to occur. Jerusalem was superfluous. It was about the war, not the town. The Church became extremely wealthy from the Crusade’s journeys to this so-called Holy Land. When those wars were over, Vatican City State became a sovereign nation. Let me say that again. A church bought its right to be an independent country within another country, using the wealth it stole from others.

Why a sovereign nation?

To protect its ill-gotten wealth with rules and laws of its own. The layers of security that guard it are many and complex. You and I will never know the depth of the secrets hidden behind those walls.

What inspired this latest post was listening to Chris DeBurgh’s fabulous song ‘Jerusalem Is Lost‘ and hearing history repeating itself in every lyric.

Mankind loves a war. We do war well. Peace unsettles powerful people enough to create a destabilizing war. It’s not just about retribution, fury, liberty, justice or righteousness. It’s also an opportunity to take what’s not theirs to own. They use war to acquire foreign riches, lands, and people. There is much to gain in winning a good war.

-Mitchell