Peace Unite,
When you look at the history of missions, please first look at history of the world at the time of those early missions and then look at what is happening today in those same countries. Society dictated much of what was happening in the world at the time and that included in mission strategies. Today, the indigenous churches of those nations, are sending out more Christian missionaries than even the western churches are. Where I currently live, the entire population of our indigenous people in the region I live in, would have been completely annihalated by other non Christian pastorlists coming on their land, had it not been for the missions.
But.. no, your words don't offend, for believe it or not I understand and agree with alot of what you are saying. You see, I am one of those missionaries who have spent all my adult life working with indigenous people and I teach cultural awareness to all our new staff. I see it as vital that they understand the cultures they are going into and that they don't mix Westen culture with true Christianity.
Yes, the truth can hurt sometimes unite, but truly the truth is also something that will set you free. The truth is, that many who use the name Christian or Muslim have committed atrocities in the name of their God. To those who wore the cross in battle I say, they have exchanged the truth for a lie and swapped the prince of peace for the lie of the devil who comes with a drawn sword.
That same Satan was present went countless Christians in the early church went to their deaths by being eaten by wild animals, burnt alive or crucified just to please the idolatrous throngs. My faith is their legacy. Would anyone die like that if they were not truly convinced of the truth?
The crusades will haunt the church for all eternity, but far more atrocities happen in the name of religion than for faith in God... and true faith will lead only to truth and peace.
I spent some time working in Africa. I saw first hand suffering women who had horrible injuries from childbirth. I saw Christian doctors and nurses, going to the only hospital in the country and in the name of Jesus bringing healing to their bodies. Left without that care, many hundreds of women would have died each year.
I saw Muslim Fulani cattle herders tending dying cattle that was their life and livlihood. Missionaries gifted in farm care took much needed supplies to heal those cattle and heard those herders say "now I know you care, for you have helped my cattle."
Yes, digging wells in places where there is no water, is simply someone reaching out and being the hands, feet and voice of Jesus to a world that is desperate for hope and a world that needs God.
May we all find Him in Spirit and Truth
Carol