Gothic Cathedrals && Crusades

okay, so on friday we learned about Neo-Platonism and the Just Wars Theory.
Neo-platonism = body is the agent & prisoner of the soul --> Plotinus (last great pagan philosopher). Plotinus' ideas were important in chrisianity, as he said that there is a divine spark (small piece of God) inside each and every one of us and that only God gives you pure happiness. The only way for you to reach & help your soul break free is through the sacrifice of Jesus and realizing his grace. you must remove all bad impressions and just turn to the divine wisdom to receive salvation and happiness = Beatific Vision (after the Beatudes). what Plotinus says about inner beauty can be shown in the Gothic Cathedrals and their grand displays of beauty and light. representing the sinful outside world or bodily temptations and the inner cleansiness that blocks out the sinfulness. St. Augustine, who created the idea of the Just War Theory, believed that war was a sinful thing to do, but sometimes it was necessary in order to survive. he made up rules that people had to follow in order for the Church to bless their war/battle.

1) they must have tried all non-violent options
2) must be initiated by the government or a higher power
3) you must kill not with enjoyment but you must have a valid reason
4) only fought if they have a good reason
5) to re-establish peace and help rebuild the victims
6) to put an equal amount of suffering to them as you have recieved
7) do not harm innocent civilians

This Just War theory is exactly what the Crusaders did. they used self-defense as their reason for war and it was appointed by Pope Urban II. However, they totally pillaged everyone, including civilians, and did way more damage than they recieved. Though the Crusades were all in "God's name/will," the cruelness of the crusaders rebukes the rules of the Just war Theory.