Christianity vs Orthodox and the Crusades

Chapter 10 briefly describes the challenges of the Christendom third wave civilizations and their adoption/fights with religion.

Of particular note is the inter Christianity feud between the Orthodox and Roman groups.  I really like that both parties had excommunicated each other and stated the others were non-believers in the right light. It is also very interesting to me that the Rus nation was searching for the correct national religion, looking to Judaism, Roman CCatholicism, Greek Orthodoxy and even Islam to find the right one before finally settling on the religion of Byzantium.  The book mentions that they rejected Islam due to the outlaw of the drink and that drinking was part of their society.  Maybe this is were the original Fraternity was established? 

Anywho, the Crusades make what I feel is one of the most important pieces of world history.  The infighting between religions has and will always be as source of contention.  When the belief of fighting for for a higher cause than nationalistic ideals and death during the fight may bring one to their God there is no slowing the fight.  Absolute willingness to die for your cause and gaining salvation through it is one heck of a motivator!