The Crusades and the Modern World by Prof.Steve.

 p.233

The crusading movement was launched by the papacy.As western Europe moved toward the modern world,secular rulers became more independent and focused more on internal politics.

p.234

Myths about the crusades began in the 16th c. Protestant revolutionaries saw the crusades as opportunities for the Church to increase its wealth.This myth continued up to the modern times.

234

Now, Arab nationalists and Islamic terrorists use the crusades as propaganda to produce recruits for jihad against the west. Western intellectuals use it to attack the Church.

235

The holy city of Jerusalem was in Christian hands for 88 years only(from 1099-11870) and the crusader states survived for less than two centuries.

Arab nationalists used the crusades as a scapegoat for the ills in the 20th c Islamic world.

238

the false narrative of the crusades, created by europeans and furthered by arab nationlists ,changed in  the 1970s. ...usedby jihadis who turned their hatred and violence away from secular regimes and toward the west.

240

Catholics must first learn for themselves the authentic story of th emovement  that was an integral part of the Chruch's history for six centureis.too many see the Crusades as an aberration in chruch history.For many Catholics , "the wars of the cross  have become like a lingering bad smaell in a lavishly refurbished stately home."