Religion and Trade

<p>Although trade connects distant people and regions bringing cultures closer together through the exchange of material goods and ideas it has not always led to unity and harmony. From the era of the Crusades to the dawn of colonialism exploitation and violence characterized many trading ventures which required vessels and convoys to overcome tremendous technological obstacles and merchants to grapple with strange customs and manners in a foreign environment. Yet despite all odds experienced traders and licensed brokers as well as ordinary people travelers pilgrims missionaries and interlopers across the globe concocted ways of bartering securing credit and establishing relationships with people who did not speak their language wore different garb and worshipped other gods.</p>