Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Why Do So Many Hate Jews?
Maybe hate is too strong for some, but I've always wondered about it.
Setting aside Nazis and Arabs for a moment, lets just look at recent, more subtle examples. There is a severe anti-semitic slant of news from the MSM. Even more disturbing is the lack of outrage over virtually all the wire services' pro terrorists news with misleading art and photo fixing. I think Lieberman's plight is as much about his faith as his stance on Iraq.
On a personal, local level I have always admired how close and loyal the Jewish people are to each other. Perhaps there are still times we gentiles feel excluded or even threatened by this.
There is also the definition issue. I think this is a matter of confusion for many gentile Americans. There are folks who are Jews by faith- those by faith and lineage/genetics-and those by lineage/genetics alone. (It must be said that any of the above would be destroyed by Islamic Fascists.)
So my answer? I'm not sure. There is no doubt there is resentment by some over Jews claiming to be "God's chosen people." Some folks hate feeling excluded. Some resent anyone in power- Jew or Gentile. (Look at little Israel -surrounded by bigger Arab nations who are bent on destroying her- intimidating the entire Middle East in order to defend itself.) Most anti-semitism is passed on by people who are just plain stupid.
Setting aside Nazis and Arabs for a moment, lets just look at recent, more subtle examples. There is a severe anti-semitic slant of news from the MSM. Even more disturbing is the lack of outrage over virtually all the wire services' pro terrorists news with misleading art and photo fixing. I think Lieberman's plight is as much about his faith as his stance on Iraq.
On a personal, local level I have always admired how close and loyal the Jewish people are to each other. Perhaps there are still times we gentiles feel excluded or even threatened by this.
There is also the definition issue. I think this is a matter of confusion for many gentile Americans. There are folks who are Jews by faith- those by faith and lineage/genetics-and those by lineage/genetics alone. (It must be said that any of the above would be destroyed by Islamic Fascists.)
So my answer? I'm not sure. There is no doubt there is resentment by some over Jews claiming to be "God's chosen people." Some folks hate feeling excluded. Some resent anyone in power- Jew or Gentile. (Look at little Israel -surrounded by bigger Arab nations who are bent on destroying her- intimidating the entire Middle East in order to defend itself.) Most anti-semitism is passed on by people who are just plain stupid.
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"There is also the definition issue. I think this is a matter of confusion for many gentile Americans. There are folks who are Jews by faith- those by faith and lineage/genetics-and those by lineage/genetics alone."
Not confusing at all. Those who are Jewish are simply Jewish. Jews make no distinctions, why would you or anyone else?
"Most anti-semitism is passed on by people who are just plain stupid."
Well, it's passed on from parent to child and within families and other social groups. Throughout history, Jews have been the "red thread" tying the world's hatred together - that speaks pretty strongly to the church's ability to pass along hatred and shows why Jewish people react so strongly to resurrection of passion plays.
Not confusing at all. Those who are Jewish are simply Jewish. Jews make no distinctions, why would you or anyone else?
"Most anti-semitism is passed on by people who are just plain stupid."
Well, it's passed on from parent to child and within families and other social groups. Throughout history, Jews have been the "red thread" tying the world's hatred together - that speaks pretty strongly to the church's ability to pass along hatred and shows why Jewish people react so strongly to resurrection of passion plays.
# posted by 
: 8/09/2006 02:50:00 PM
: 8/09/2006 02:50:00 PM
The definition thing simply refers to why people are confused. I'm just going by personal experience and observation- but there are Jews who are athiests- for instance. I think some folks scratch their heads over that.
There is no question ignorance,poor theology and false teachings have bred hatred of Jews by Christians. I think it is now in the past- at least I don't know of mainline Catholics and protestant churches teaching hatred of Jews for any reason.
I know I was never taught such things as a child. Once when I was 12- I naively painted a swastika on an army helmet and rode my bike around the neighborhood. Alan Bardy's mom- Mrs. Levy (whom I loved and feared) alerted my mom. She and mom sat me down and that is when I first remember beginning to understand the holocaust.
There is no question ignorance,poor theology and false teachings have bred hatred of Jews by Christians. I think it is now in the past- at least I don't know of mainline Catholics and protestant churches teaching hatred of Jews for any reason.
I know I was never taught such things as a child. Once when I was 12- I naively painted a swastika on an army helmet and rode my bike around the neighborhood. Alan Bardy's mom- Mrs. Levy (whom I loved and feared) alerted my mom. She and mom sat me down and that is when I first remember beginning to understand the holocaust.
Please provide examples of a "severe anti-semitic slant of news by the mainstream media."
Remember, Israel is not the same thing as "the Jews." In any case, despite the doctored photos, it would be hard to make a case that the American media is not rather strongly pro-Israel. But again, Israel is not "the Jews."
Also, why would anti-Semitism allegedly hurt Joe Lieberman now, but not in his previous successful runs for office? In Connecticut, for crying out loud?
Anti-Semitism persists because people dislike and distrust The Other, and Jews live and have lived in all manner of cultures without renouncing their own identities. Other pre-Christian and pre-Islamic faiths and peoples assimilated into the larger cultures; the Jews stayed Jews. People also need scapegoats when things go wrong, and a present-but-different minority offers a handy supply. Not really that hard to explain, IMHO.
Remember, Israel is not the same thing as "the Jews." In any case, despite the doctored photos, it would be hard to make a case that the American media is not rather strongly pro-Israel. But again, Israel is not "the Jews."
Also, why would anti-Semitism allegedly hurt Joe Lieberman now, but not in his previous successful runs for office? In Connecticut, for crying out loud?
Anti-Semitism persists because people dislike and distrust The Other, and Jews live and have lived in all manner of cultures without renouncing their own identities. Other pre-Christian and pre-Islamic faiths and peoples assimilated into the larger cultures; the Jews stayed Jews. People also need scapegoats when things go wrong, and a present-but-different minority offers a handy supply. Not really that hard to explain, IMHO.
# posted by : 8/09/2006 05:04:00 PM
: 8/09/2006 05:04:00 PM
I have to disagree about your point about Israel. It is because of Jews occupying and ruling Israel that Israel is hated. It is absolutely the same thing.
I have a naked 2 year old trying to sit on my head-I'll get back to you.
I have a naked 2 year old trying to sit on my head-I'll get back to you.
No, Israel is not the same as the Jews. Sorry, but we were around for thousands of years before the modern country was established. Also, Israeli policy is frequently the subject of hot debate within Israel -- so at any given time are the Israeli critics of Israeli policy anti-Semites?
Also, anti-Semitism long long long pre-dates 1948. In fact, Israel was established very much in reaction to the Holocaust.
Facts, Chip.
Also, anti-Semitism long long long pre-dates 1948. In fact, Israel was established very much in reaction to the Holocaust.
Facts, Chip.
# posted by : 8/09/2006 07:45:00 PM
: 8/09/2006 07:45:00 PM
Ed's right; it's an old story and another one of those "you say it enough times and it becomes true" falsehoods.
Israel is not "the Jews."
"The Jews" that are stereotyped most often look and act nothing like Israeli sabras. Middle class Israelis are much less religiously observant (that's a fairly sweeping statement) than their American counterparts.
"The Jews" is a quasi-concept tossed around by people who need to box up "the Jews" into a nice little package, even though there is no such thing as "Jewish American," even though the news folks tried to create the term when Lieberman ran for VP. It died as an expression thankfully quickly.
"The Jews" are a religion and a culture. Many Israeli citizens are Jewish. But they are not "the Jews."
A long time ago, a Russian gymnast did a floor exercise to piano music, sort of Scott Joplin-like. They asked her later what the piece was and she replied, "American Piano." Uh huh. Do you see the similarity?
Israel is not "the Jews."
Israel is not "the Jews."
"The Jews" that are stereotyped most often look and act nothing like Israeli sabras. Middle class Israelis are much less religiously observant (that's a fairly sweeping statement) than their American counterparts.
"The Jews" is a quasi-concept tossed around by people who need to box up "the Jews" into a nice little package, even though there is no such thing as "Jewish American," even though the news folks tried to create the term when Lieberman ran for VP. It died as an expression thankfully quickly.
"The Jews" are a religion and a culture. Many Israeli citizens are Jewish. But they are not "the Jews."
A long time ago, a Russian gymnast did a floor exercise to piano music, sort of Scott Joplin-like. They asked her later what the piece was and she replied, "American Piano." Uh huh. Do you see the similarity?
Israel is not "the Jews."
# posted by : 8/09/2006 09:50:00 PM
: 8/09/2006 09:50:00 PM
The naked 2 year old is asleep. I appeciate your explanations. I do realize Israel is not "The Jews"- but is it not true that if the Jews were exiled, the Arabs would be left to fight amonst themselves. They hate Jews.
And Ed, of course the anti-semitism is as ancient as the religion. I simply am curious why (Weterners)people are threatened by- or hate the Jews today.
Regardless, this is a subject I'd like to discuss verbally- especially while my grand nieces are in town!
And Ed, of course the anti-semitism is as ancient as the religion. I simply am curious why (Weterners)people are threatened by- or hate the Jews today.
Regardless, this is a subject I'd like to discuss verbally- especially while my grand nieces are in town!
"...of course the anti-semitism is as ancient as the religion."
Really? On what do you base that "fact"?
Judaism is more than 5,000 years old. Christianity (at least Catholicism) is only 2,000 years old. Anti-semitism hardly exists in a religious context prior to that.
So what you REALLY meant was that "anti-semitism is as old as Christianity," right?
Do you see any cause/effect relationship there?
Really? On what do you base that "fact"?
Judaism is more than 5,000 years old. Christianity (at least Catholicism) is only 2,000 years old. Anti-semitism hardly exists in a religious context prior to that.
So what you REALLY meant was that "anti-semitism is as old as Christianity," right?
Do you see any cause/effect relationship there?
# posted by : 8/10/2006 01:22:00 PM
: 8/10/2006 01:22:00 PM
But you are right- there is a direct connection between Christianity and anti-semitism over the last 2000 years. As I said- alot of ignorance, bad theology, and false teaching has come from Christian sources- I am sorry to say.
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