if you want to use the crusades as a criticism of Chistianity then why can't the current situations be used as a criticism of Islam? - well done, Simon, you've hit the nail on the head.
Imagine a commentary on the crusades using today's touchy-feely PC jargon: 'Christianist millitants have conquered Jerusalem. They called their opponents and ordinary citizens infidels but lovingly gave them a chance to convert. They then slaughtered them afterwards and let God judge them. The christian community feel persecuted because of a possible backlash from this so Governments have set up a helpline. Any prejudice against this community is definitely Christianophobic, and possibly racist, since most Christians are Europeans too. Bigots say that the religion of Christianity needs to be reformed but as we know most christians are peaceful. These crusades have nothing to do with Christianity ...'