It is true that important differences exist between the ways that Muslims were conceived of as the enemy in the Middle Ages and how this takes place today. Certainly, the Christian theological justification for opposing Muslims prevalent in the Middle Ages no longer holds in modern Europe, which is not surprising given the secularization and decline in Christianity’s influence that has swept the continent. We are not seeing battles in Europe to eradicate Muslim heretics in order to preserve and defend the ultimate truth of Christianity.

DEFINE: Distinguishes medieval religiously-grounded enmity from modern secular versions of anti-Muslim sentiment.

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 88