The Bloody Verdict of Verden

The Massacre of Verden, or the Bloody Verdict of Verden, was a massacre of Saxons in 782 near the present town of Verden in Lower Saxony, Germany, ordered by Charlemagne during the Saxon Wars.

In 782 A.D. some 4,500 Saxon leaders are said to have been beheaded for practicing their indigenous Germanic paganism, having officially, albeit under duress, converted to Christianity and undergone baptism. The river Aller was said to have been flowing red with their blood. Charlemagne's motives were to demonstrate his overlordship and the severity of punishment for rebellion.

The effect was that the Saxons lost virtually their entire tribal leadership and were henceforth largely governed by Frankish counts installed by Charlemagne. The Saxon leader, Duke Widukind, had escaped to his in-laws in Denmark, but soon returned. In 785 he, along with his people, was forced to convert to Christianity by Charlemagne.

On the issue of beheading the historian Ramsay MacMullen notes that in 681 a council of bishops at Toledo called on civil authorities to seize and behead all those guilty of non-Christian practices of whatever sort. These massacres were common on both sides throughout the Christianization of Europe, with similar events involving pagan Saxons, Germans and Celts and Christians documented in Britain and Ireland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_Verden

SamCogar wrote:

The Massacre of Verden, or the Bloody Verdict of Verden, was a massacre of Saxons in 782 near the present town of Verden in Lower Saxony, Germany, ordered by Charlemagne during the Saxon Wars.

In 782 A.D. some 4,500 Saxon leaders are said to have been beheaded for practicing their indigenous Germanic paganism, having officially, albeit under duress, converted to Christianity and undergone baptism. The river Aller was said to have been flowing red with their blood. Charlemagne's motives were to demonstrate his overlordship and the severity of punishment for rebellion.

The effect was that the Saxons lost virtually their entire tribal leadership and were henceforth largely governed by Frankish counts installed by Charlemagne. The Saxon leader, Duke Widukind, had escaped to his in-laws in Denmark, but soon returned. In 785 he, along with his people, was forced to convert to Christianity by Charlemagne.

On the issue of beheading the historian Ramsay MacMullen notes that in 681 a council of bishops at Toledo called on civil authorities to seize and behead all those guilty of non-Christian practices of whatever sort. These massacres were common on both sides throughout the Christianization of Europe, with similar events involving pagan Saxons, Germans and Celts and Christians documented in Britain and Ireland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_Verden

Ich bin Ala-awkbarf! wrote: They evidently gave up the evil practice about the same time Mohammedans perfected the practice and continue to use it.

Stephanie wrote:Now, now, Sammy.......don't be so hard on ole Charlemagne or the Inquistors or any of the other kind souls who forced Christianity on pagans and other heathens for the better part of 2000 years. If not for those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice by torturing and murdering the nonbelievers, neither Keli nor any of his other personalities would be the enlightened, loving, human beings they are today, nor would any of the others who warn us about the dangers and evils of Islam and homosexuality and magical Mormon underwear. Perish the thought.

Stephanie wrote:I don't know what you're talking about, Keli. Who here advocates violence of any kind against any religious group? Aren't you the one who thinks all Muslims should be exterminated?

I'm saying a couple of things, but nothing that encourages violence against Christians or any other group. For crying out loud I'm almost a pacifist. What I am pointing out is that you reap what you sow and that people who live in historically glass houses should be a bit more careful of throwing stones.

I don't want any more senseless violence. I believe peace is possible if people really want peace. Sometimes that requires walking away, and turning the other cheek. Peace may cost some pride, but it wouldn't cost a whole lot more lives. Is pride too high a price to pay?

Stephanie wrote:I don't want any more senseless violence. I believe peace is possible if people really want peace.

Sometimes that requires walking away, and turning the other cheek.

Keli wrote: However, I notice that while some are quick to condemn Christians they have no probably kissing Muslim butts.