Historically accurate, but not absolute. I would say those who came to your country with the sword, were those I referenced as "holding an ideology and masquerading as a religion." People who are devoted to a cause, but who don't read the Bible, and then go violating the teachings of the Bible (like killing people), and saying they are spreading the Gospel, well... I think you see my point. Not so much would I term them "Christians." But my definition is probably tighter than most in the world today... I get your point as well. The Gospel came to the US with a little less "lopping" than it did in parts of Europe.

And things have changed for "most" organized religions since the Viking age. (Give or take a few notable ones who still use the sword method of conversion...eeek!)

What I love about freedom, is the ability to share a belief without worry of being jailed, injured or killed, so long as that belief doesn't cause direct harm to another person. In a lot of other countries, even some progressive ones, you are free to your opinion, as long as it is the official opinion of the state. Glad I don't live there!

And I have to pause now and thank Frank and his brothers who brought me that freedom, and keep it alive and well, day after day.

I thought this might digress into something ugly, but I'm glad we are civilized...And I thank Gen Scarlett for keeping us from forgetting to remain civilized. It is good to have civil and intellectual discussions about deeper matters than Joes with others who share our hobby!