Atheism Quote by Herbert J. Muller
“The First Crusade ... set off on its two-thousand-mile jaunt by massacring Jews, plundering and slaughtering all the way from the Rhine to the Jordan. "In the temple of Solomon," wrote the ecstatic cleric Raimundus de Agiles, "one rode in blood up to the knees and even to the horses" bridles, by the just and marvelous judgment of God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise of the West, Herbert J. Muller, 1954
The First Crusade began with extreme violence, describing gruesome scenes as divine judgment.
In simple terms: Crusaders used brutal violence, claiming God’s approval.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how religious rhetoric can justify cruelty.
Themes
religion
violence
history
propaganda
morality
Mood
somber
critical
reflective
Type
historical
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- religious studies
- ethical debates
- education
- media reporting
Key Concepts
theocracy
just war theory
mass violence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does framing violence as divine affect perception?
- Can moral narratives justify atrocities?
A Different Perspective
Violence was framed as righteous, obscuring its human cost.
