Crusade in 21st Century? (new thread)

[taylorj2]

Hi,
This question has been in my head for some time now, since the old Pope person died. The question is, could the Pope call a crusade today? It's not like he doesn't have the power, and it would be good to see a presant day version of a crusading army uniform

I don't mean I want him too, (unless someone declares war on our country ect), but 'could he?', is it still in his power?

[Enemy of the State]

A more radical pope might, he could call a Crusade, say after Muslim terrorists detonate a nuclear device in Europe, or something else big. But would people go? Europe isnt very religious today, and is having an identity crisis. Most likely, even if a crusade is called, it wont result in anything big.

We still got jihads though

[William the Bastard]

I suppose he could call one but he would be very quickly ignored or advised not to in the first place. Even the Vatican hires PR people these days as to have a hip and cool image to get down with the kids. It's all about the flock maintaining and enlarging it. I doubt a crusade today would help gain new members.

[taylorj2]

It would be cool though, to walk all that way to the *holy lands* or probably go by boat or plane. There is no rule saying he can't declare a crusade.

Also: Could he excomunicate a country? That would be so...*can't think of a word*

[Serious Spamurai]

It'd be listened to by about 3 people, seriously. There are almost no catholic princes/presidents around these days, although maybe when kennedy was alive. I highly doubt it though.

[taylorj2]

So does anyone else out there in the vastness of twcenter have anything to say?

[NaptownKnight]

Uhhh I think he would be laughed at. Nowadays the Pope's power is very superficial, and you have to realize he is not the head of all of Christianity anymore. Since Martin Luther the Catholic religion has split into many different sects or religions, and most of them don't follow the Pope. If the Pope did call a crusade I think it would be the greatest mistake he ever made, and I for one do NOT agree with any kind of Holy War. Therefore if I had to fight I would fight for the Muslims, and I am Jewish. Religious fervor can lead to very bad things, like what the crusaders did at Jerusalem in the first crusade. They not only killed Muslims but many Jews also.

[taylorj2]

The pope must have some kind of authority over the rest of the churches...

[Farnan]

The pope must have some kind of authority over the rest of the churches...

Nope, absolutely no authority over any church but the Roman Catholic one.

[taylorj2]

If the muslims can 'Jihad' or w/e, why shouldn't we be able to crusade again. As I say, the power to do so isn't lost, the pope can still do it

[Holger Danske]

Muslim nuclear bombing of a European city > Europe wipes out the ME and stats detaining muslims inside of the Union.

[Gaidin]

The pope could of course call a crusade.

The important question is whether anybody would listen.

[Ahlerich]

well the pope cant excommunicate a country because western countries are not ruled by monarchs anymore.

he could excommunicate a catholic politician yes but since the majority of ppl are not very religious and those who are are not all catholic but in different churches thsoe who would be shocked by an excommunicated politician would be a minority and therefore their opinion neglectagle.

so i think no politician really fears to be excommunicated. and acually i dont know what a politician would have to do to get excommunicated these days.

also we dont burn heretics anymore and questioning good or religion is not considered severe heresy anymore.

on top of all that even the catholic church got modernised in the last 1000 years so much for the likelyness of a pope wanting or beeing allowed to call a crusade...especially after still beeing attacked for the last three or four crusades it would not be a good pr move and therefore inexcaptable

[NaptownKnight]

If no Pope has called a crusade for around one hundred years how do you think the pope that called it would look? A racist? A war mongerer? For example George Bush calls crusades all of the time, we aren't stupid enough to listen to him again .

[Mig el Pig]

For example George Bush calls crusades all of the time, we aren't stupid enough to listen to him again .

bush called his war a crusade, he didn't call a crusade on itself.

The roman church gave up(was forced) its direct poltical control quite a while ago. Don't think a pope will call for a crusade in the near future.

[deRougemont]

@taylor

Christians do not give the Church that authority anymore, nor does the Church think it has the authority through scripture to call crusades today (which it doesn't, and never has).

[taylorj2]

Thx for your answers guys, my main question was, 'Could he?' still, and I guess it could but would be pointless..

[deRougemont]

Thx for your answers guys, my main question was, 'Could he?' still, and I guess it could but would be pointless..

No, he really couldn't do it. If he did he and the Church would be condemned by not only the Christian world, but the secular Western world. The Church would completely ruin itself by suggesting such a thing. Therefore, the response to such a request makes it impossible for the Pope to attempt it.

[William the Bastard]

No, he really couldn't do it. If he did he and the Church would be condemned by not only the Christian world, but the secular Western world. The Church would completely ruin itself by suggesting such a thing. Therefore, the response to such a request makes it impossible for the Pope to attempt it.

DeRougemont be fair he could issue a crusade in the same way I could dress up as a lady hooker and get a bit of money on the side pulling tricks for sailors down the docks! Neither are going to happen and it only rarely crosses my mind.

[jankren]

I think Italy and USA would be the only countries that will probably respond to the call of Crusade from the Holy Pope.