Introduction
The arguments raised in favor of the crusades reveal the extent to which Christians were ready to go in their justification of war, making it a Christian Jihad. This is primarily because Pope Urban II and prominent leaders capitalized on the people’s need for forgiveness and urged them to destroy the Muslim Turks from the Byzantine Emperor to advance their faith. The use of violence against Muslims to spread Christianity in the crusades denotes a Christian Jihad.
The Conflict
The conflict witnessed between the papacy, the empire, and secular leaders rose from the attempt of the leaders to define written customs and rules aimed at bringing the people under one leadership. This made the church officials and the rulers to dispute regarding how European society would be governed. The papacy’s attempt to centralize all legitimate power led to an intensified conflict with the nobles. It raised the empire to a deeper understanding of the role of religion in leadership. The papacy succeeded mainly due to the establishment of the Concordat of Worms and Magna Carta, which empowered the people to the extent that the king had to consult church leaders to raise taxes.
Secular rules sought independence from papal control by establishing alternative institutions of government, such as the royal courts, and new ways of financial management, which enabled them to exert authority over the population. They justified their goals by citing the divine right, representing the perception that God established the monarchy to represent him on earth. The rulers’ campaigns introduced new controversies with the papacy that led to undermining the feudal or church courts. Consequently, the papacy lost its supremacy and control over the people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the conflict between the papacy and the empire entailed a series of struggles for domination. The crusades aimed at spreading the Christian faith across the territories can be termed as Christian Jihad because the Pope encouraged war against Muslims to gain control of the regions forcefully. The papacy gained power through the Concordat of Worms and Magna Carta, although the secular leaders later established alternative institutions and reduced the supremacy of the church.