Kingdom of Heaven

so i have to watch Kingdom of Heaven for my war & culture class. i’ve seen it before, and i’m sure i’ve had a lot of the same reactions i’m having now, but watching it this time around after reading A World Without Islam, it’s a different experience. i feel more for the Muslims.

[Warning: this next bit might sound slightly egotistical]

i’m glad i’m the kind of person who is willing to look at both sides and not simply accept one side of the story.

there are some really powerful one-liners in this movie. excellent things that i keep thinking “I could use that for the title of my paper” and i keep jotting them down (i haven’t figured out what i’m going to write about yet, so i can’t pick a title).

i think it’s sad how many people out there will only ever know what they’ve been raised on. it’s not wrong, it’s just kind of sad. there’s such wealth and richness in what we can learn from and about other cultures. it’s sad that some people will always and forever believe that Salt Lake City, Utah is it. that there is no need to travel or learn anything about anyone else.

yeah, i’m a mormon, but i don’t consider myself dogmatic (most mormons i know aren’t either, but bad apples and all that), nor do i consider myself close-minded (again, most i know aren’t but there are always a few). i want to learn everything i can about every religion and culture. i really wish i had the gift of tongues; i would love to learn all the languages. unfortunately, i’m a bumbling idiot when it comes to languages…what can you do? :)