Crusade against the Pope

Chapter 366: To quote out of context - "Don't quote out of context"

Under different historical conditions, there are often different economic conditions and different social needs.

Society is constantly changing in response to the times, of course many people do not admit this.

In their simple feelings, they always feel that many things remain unchanged, or that there was a golden age in the past, and as long as they go back to that period, all current problems can be solved.

This idea is not directed at anyone in particular, but is shared by many people.

When it comes to religion, there are various so-called "fundamentalists".

Some "fundamentalists" are trying to overthrow the authority that currently monopolizes the right to interpret the Bible, while others are "true believers" in fundamentalism...

[When the forbidden month is over, kill the polytheists wherever you meet them, capture them, besiege them, and ambush them.]

——《Confession》

Many times, this passage has been used to incite people to fight against pagans.

But if we combine it with the context and the historical background at that time, the meaning will be different.

It was 630 years later, and the Prophet Muhammad had already entered Mecca victoriously. Most of the nearby Arab tribes had already surrendered to him.

But there are still some tribes that violated the contract and conspired with hostile forces behind the scenes.

The following sentence of this passage is: [But if they repent, perform the prayers and pay the zakat, then let them go free.]

This chapter, "The Chapter of Repentance," is intended to deal with these tribes who have broken the peace treaty and betrayed their loyalty, and to set a deadline for them.

In fact, if you really read the scriptures according to the context, you can find many chapters that emphasize restraint.

[You should fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not go beyond the limit, for Allah does not like those who go beyond the limit.]

[If your enemies are inclined toward peace, you should also be inclined toward peace and trust in Allah.]

But, just like: taking things out of context - "Don't take things out of context".

Every person who recites the scriptures must base his or her words and deeds on his or her own political stance and economic interests, thereby proving his or her own correctness.

From a historical perspective.

It is not the Quran that unilaterally shapes Muslims. Many times, it is the nations in history that, based on their own needs, interpret the Quran in a way that suits their positions.

It just so happens that the ethnic groups in the Middle East, to a greater or lesser extent, all rely on herding for their livelihood.

At first there were a large number of Arab tribes, then a large number of Turkic tribes, and later even the Mongols surrendered.

As a nomadic people, it is impossible for them to give up looting just because of the scriptures, so the only thing that will be changed is the original meaning of the scriptures.

Only the imams who recite the scriptures can give reasonable and scriptural interpretations to the people they serve.

In Baykar's view, his looting of Trebizond was undoubtedly just and undoubtedly in line with the requirements of the scriptures.

It is his true blow to those who disbelieve in Allah!

Whether in this generation or in the future, not everyone recognizes that Christianity and Islam worship the same God.

The reasons are many and involve a great deal of stereotyping.

For Baykar, Christianity in his eyes is undoubtedly polytheism.

After all, Allah is One and there is no partner for Him.

But there are at least three gods worshipped by Christianity, in addition to a bunch of saints. As long as you break into an Orthodox church, you can find all kinds of statues made of gold and silver.

If this is not polytheism, if this is not idolatry, then what is polytheism and what is idolatry?

Now that the other party has been identified, what remains is the contradiction between the enemy and us, and looting is a natural thing to do.

These spoils are all gifts given to him by Allah!

Of course, Baykar also had to thank Arslan. If it weren't for Arslan's surrender, he would not have expected that someone in Trebizond would actually plan to let the Turks into the city.

"What a fool! A fool can't keep so much wealth."

Looking back at the blazing flames rising into the sky, Baykar turned around and planned to return with a full load.

But there were always some people who were ignorant of the danger and blocked the road with dozens of private soldiers.

The one leading the group was fully dressed in armor and looked a bit tough to deal with.

But the other party is undoubtedly a fool, because although this street is not long, it is also straight.

These Turks were riding horses, while the other side was a group of staggering infantrymen without even spears.

But from the perspective of others, it was quite different. They saw Ioannis leading a team of infantrymen out of the ruined mansion. He was wearing a charred robe, his hair was curled by sparks, and his eyes were still burning with anger.

Apparently he was still helping Gabrans put out the fire.

Then he was seen holding a sword in his hand, pointing it at the Turks, and shouting in indignation:

"You beasts! You hyenas crawling out of the grassland! Do you think you can trample this city under the hooves of horses by looting a few mansions and burning down a few churches?!"

"You defiled temples, burned holy images, trampled on the bones of children, and yet you still dream of returning home with a full load of spoils?!"

"Ha! I would rather see you running away with your gold and silver on your backs along this straight street, roasted in the flames, and your legs and feet broken by the thunder of God's wrath!"

"Come, come! I, Ioannis Marax, the son of Trebizond, am standing here to watch you dogs scatter like maggots!"

"Even if only one person is standing, it is still resistance! Even if you run over me on horseback, I will curse your descendants to be nameless and your mother to go crazy!"

"Come on! This street goes straight to the sky. You rush fast, but who knows if the door ahead is the gate to hell!"

Classical opera is like this, always accompanied by the hero's loud shouting and the clown's true colors being revealed.

But it is rare that the two are confused.

Just as Ioannis Marax, son of Trebizond, made his name resound throughout the upper part of the city.

Baykar waved his hands. He didn't understand what the other party said, but since he was shouting like that, he might as well grant his wish.

The sound of horse hooves clattered.

In the darkness of the night, Ioannis faced the cavalry stampeding across the ground, but he had not expected it.

He had never thought that this scene would appear. After all, according to the original script, shouldn't the other party turn their horses around and flee on the spot after hearing his loud shout?

The street was not wide enough to accommodate only three horses charging.

But these three horses coming towards him made Ioannis feel as if the sky was falling and the earth was splitting.

Ioannis was stunned. He was not the living prophet.

(End of this chapter)