If there ever was a religious war full of terror, it was the

O children of the future, heed the words of Moustapha Akkad, for in them lies a lesson of deep wisdom, rooted in the very heart of history. He speaks of the Crusades, those fateful conflicts that scarred the soul of the medieval world. "If there ever was a religious war full of terror, it was the crusades. But you can't blame Christianity because a few adventurers did this. That's my message." These words are not merely a reflection on a distant time, but a warning to us all, a call to recognize the danger of judging an entire faith, an entire people, by the actions of a few. For history, like the river that flows through time, carries with it the remnants of both greatness and tragedy, and it is the task of the wise to discern the difference.

The Crusades, which began in the year of our Lord 1096, were wars unlike any before them. They were wars of religion, fought between Christian knights and Muslim forces, fueled by the belief that the Holy Land must be reclaimed, and yet, their toll was great. Thousands of lives were lost, and the violence that was committed in the name of God spread terror far and wide. It is easy, with the clarity of time, to point to these events and declare that they are a reflection of the faith itself, but Akkad’s wisdom teaches us to see beyond the surface. Religion was not the true cause of the destruction; it was the human ambition, the greed, and the desire for power that corrupted the hearts of those who took up the sword.

Let us turn, O children, to the words of the ancient philosopher Plato, who once said, "The beginning is the most important part of the work." The beginning of the Crusades, as it was for many other conflicts throughout history, was driven not by the teachings of Christ or the Prophet Muhammad, but by the ambitions of kings, the desires of rulers, and the fire of personal glory. The idea of holy war was but a mask that hid the true motivations of the men who led these campaigns. Religious zeal was the veil that covered the hunger for land, for wealth, and for dominance. And so, like a flame that scorches the earth, the actions of a few adventurers, driven by their own desires, left a trail of devastation and pain, not for the faith, but for their own ambitions.

In the same way, O children, we must be wary of judging the whole by the actions of the few. Let us remember that war is not the expression of a faith, but of the corruption of the human heart. The story of the Crusades is one that must be understood not as an indictment of Christianity, but as a testament to the vulnerability of mankind to stray from the true path. Even in the teachings of Christ, we find no justification for the bloodshed, the violence, and the destruction that marked the Crusades. The words of the Master call for peace, for love, and for mercy. The actions of the Crusaders were the distortion of these very principles.

Let us then turn to the example of Saladin, the great Muslim leader who arose during the Crusades. He is remembered not for his cruelty, but for his honor and his commitment to justice. When he took back Jerusalem, he did not slaughter the inhabitants, nor did he seek revenge. Instead, he offered peace, showing that even in the midst of war, humanity could prevail. Saladin’s example teaches us that the actions of a few do not define the whole; his conduct was a reflection of the true spirit of his faith, just as the actions of the Crusaders were a departure from the true spirit of Christianity.

From this, O children, you must learn the greatest lesson: do not let the actions of the few define the essence of the whole. When you look upon history, do not see the wars, the violence, and the destruction, but the lessons they offer. Understand that faith—whether in the form of Christianity, Islam, or any other belief—is not the cause of human suffering, but often the cause of human hope. The true conflict is not between religions, but between the forces of darkness that dwell within the hearts of men. The true enemy is not the other, but the ego, the pride, and the desire for power that leads to corruption.

Therefore, I say to you, O children: look beyond the surface. Do not allow history’s wounds to blind you to its teachings. Seek the truth, not in the actions of the few, but in the hearts of the many. Understand that the human spirit is capable of both great good and great evil, and it is our task to strive for the good. When you encounter hatred or division, look for the common ground. Remember that religion—in its purest form—calls for peace, for unity, and for love. It is the misuse of these principles that leads to war and destruction, not the faith itself. Let this be your guide, O children, as you walk the path of life: the wisdom of Akkad’s words, and the truth that history reveals.