Why did people go on a crusade?

Answer 1

The Church told them that it would ensure their presence in heaven if they took Jerusalem back for Christianity also people went on crusades because there was a beautiful dome-called the dome of the rock, it was built on the rock where Mohamed was said to of sat and prayed and it was so holy that no Muslim was allowed to tread on this rock, also touch the rock, ,look at this rock or even breath on it as it was so holy when visiting the dome. Therefore the Christians fought to get Jerusalem back while the Muslims fought to keep Jerusalem. These wars were said to last sometimes nearly 200 years. The middle ages were harsh for these religious people who went on crusades.

people went on crusades because they were there as a punishment or been paid by someone who had a punishement. they also went because they receive gold, silver and life stock to take home to their families. they sometimes went for Jesus, to a place were Jesus was hung on the cross and buried and they will fight for him as he died for them.

Answer 2

The motivation behind the kings, political leaders, Popes, religious leaders and other social leaders were primarily money, power, lands, and influence. However, as you read more into the crusades, you will see there were other factors. The common people were taught and told that this was part of their religious duty to go on the crusades to defend their faith and protect the holy sites. Others were told it was a way to check the growth of the muslim influence from creeping into Europe any further. There are also speculations that this was done to take care of the increasing restless among the nobles and knights of various kingdoms and a way for the pope to continue being the "leader of Christiandom."

So, what you are saying is that organized European religion, instead of fixing an internal problem, manufactured an external problem to distract peoples attention.

Sounds vaguely familiar?