Grandpa,
I realize that because your column has to be concise that you can’t go into depth on topics, but your assertion that Pope Urban II’s call November 27, 1095 (See The Voice, November 6, 2020) was prompted by imperialism, overlooks the real causes. During the 7th and 8th Centuries, Moslems conquered lands occupied and ruled by Christians: The Holy Land, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula. Moslems were halted from further invading Europe by the Frankish King Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne in 732 AD. In the early 11th Century, the Caliph Hakim was a brutal fanatic attacking Christian places in the Holy Land and Christian pilgrims. In the late 11th Century, Seljuk Turks began killing Christian pilgrims going to the Holy Land. So, I would say the Crusaders were fighting a defensive war. Just as American soldiers were fighting against the Nazis in WWII to preserve their way of life, the Christian Europeans were fighting to preserve their lands and religion. I do not overlook that there were atrocities committed during the Crusades against Jews (which atrocities were condemned by Popes and Bishops) and in a later Crusade the killing of Eastern Christians in Hungary and Constantinople at the instigation of Venice. These Crusaders were excommunicated by the Pope after he found out. This would be similar to the US trial of LT. Calle during the Vietnam War. Just trying to set the record straight.
Grandpa says: Thank you for the more in-depth detail of the reasoning behind the decree by Pope Urban II. You have validated Grandpa’s assertion that imperialism, land-grabbing and self-righteousness all are just masks to validate hatred. Hatred is Satan’s favorite toy.
Grandpa,
I don’t give a (hoot) about what your bible says about ghosts! (See the Voice, December 17, 2020). That book is just an old version of Grimm’s Fairy Tales! I know for a fact that ghosts exist! No church can exorcise them away. No book or special water can chase them away. And they do come to visit people. My late husband comes to visit me in my dreams and warn of things. What about all the people that have died and been brought back to life? They all tell of being drawn to a light. I don’t care what you think, I know that ghosts are real and you should not muddy up the issue by answering that question by quoting your precious bible. I hope you will print a retraction and an apology to the man who wrote that letter to you. Feel free to give him my phone number and I will set him straight!
Grandpa says: Calm down, deary, calm down. I used the Bible as a reference point for two reasons. The writer specifically asked about the term as used in the Bible. I find much truth in what I read in the Bible and the Quran. If you choose to believe that your husband comes to counsel with you in the night, by all means, you have that right. I will not, however, pass along your phone number. It’s not my policy.
Got something stuck in your craw? Ask Grandpa. Address your letters to Ask Grandpa c/o The Voice, PO Box 123,
Aurora, IL 60507 or send an E-mail to askgrandpa@thevoice.us.