Medieval Christian otherness was defined metaphysically against the Devil

Evidence

Medieval Christianity was part of the foundation of the feudal estates of nobles, clerics, and peasants, each occupying their God-given place, like the caste system in India founded in Hinduism. Differences between Christians and heathens overlaid earlier lines of distinction that ran between the Roman Empire and its peripheries: the Pax Romana and the world outside. Regional differences in language, food, costume, and customs were significant. In the hierarchy of estates, “others” were primarily those who did not fit in - Jews, Gypsies, travelers, regional minorities such as the Marranos in southern Spain, heathens and nonbelievers. The real Other in the Christian world was the Devil — represented by the “Bogey,” the “Bugaboo,” the “Black Man.” Thus, the main difference was a metaphysical difference with moral ramifications, and other differences were mirrored in this central difference - identity and otherness were essentially measured in relation to God and the Devil. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 185 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

The real Other in the Christian world was the Devil — represented by the “Bogey,” the “Bugaboo,” the “Black Man.” Thus, the main difference was a metaphysical difference with moral ramifications, and other differences were mirrored in this central difference - identity and otherness were essentially measured in relation to God and the Devil. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 185 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Medieval Europe’s ultimate other was the Devil — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 185; Medieval Christian identity defined itself as normative humanity with all else monstrous — Sophia Rose Arjana, Muslims in the Western Imagination, 29; Medieval enemies were institutional constructs tied to Christian power — Sophia Rose Arjana, Muslims in the Western Imagination, 101 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Medieval Europe’s ultimate other was the Devil #corroborates (0.97) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 185
• Christian Europe’s primary Other was a metaphysical Devil, not an ethnic group. #corroborates (0.95) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 185
• The Church’s moral language structured who counted as monstrous others #complicates (0.74)
• The Church’s moral discipline manufactured the monstrous Other #complicates (0.73) — Sophia Rose Arjana, Muslims in the Western Imagination, 90
• Medieval enemies were institutional constructs tied to Christian power #complicates (0.72) — Sophia Rose Arjana, Muslims in the Western Imagination, 101