Chapters 14 and 15

My reaction to chapter 14 echoed the class discussion about the horrors of the Crusades.  In this chapter we read of how Saladin was ready to draw truces with the Crusaders, treated prisoners fairly well, and some historians even said was 'clement to a fault'.  However, his good actions and treatment to others, even if the enemy, were not reciprocated by the Crusaders.  It is so sad that in his mercy, to allow Christians to congregate in a nearby city, the fighting would continue for more than a hundred years.

Personally I think it would have been interesting to meet Saladin.   I liked reading about how he worked along side his men as they restored the Dome of the Rock and would give charity to the poor.  He also did not punish the local Christians for the terrible actions of the Western ones.  This is something that I feel would be quite easy not to do as a ruler.  As it goes for people in authority, he seems like a generally nice ruler who wanter peace more than war.  He allowed the Christians who were not responsible for the Crusades to stay as well as inviting Jews back into Jerusalem.

The second person who stood out to me in this chapter was Frederick.  It is refreshing to read that while there were many atrocities from the Western side, at least we know of one who was willing to interact with the 'other'.  It is terrible that Christians thought it blasphemous for him to enter Muslim areas, or that the Islamic call to prayer would be a problem to their faith.  Maybe if more of the Crusaders had been willing to interact with the Muslims and Jews that they would have seen how similar they all are, and the ability to coexist.  The Crusaders were not saving anything, but rather leaving a path of destruction.

For as much fighting, violence, and stalemates that we have read about, it is important to remember the figures who did not follow the norm of continued struggles.  I feel that both of these men knew the importance of mutual respect and the power of peace.  However, sadly, the unity under Saladin did not last long after his death, and Frederick was killed for his actions.  Regardless, I feel that if there were people in the past who would cross over territory lines to work out problems, figurative or not,  that there are people in the present who can do the same.