Persistence of anti-semitism among Christians (believe, Bible, beliefs, Israel)
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I'd like to understand more about why anti-semitism has persisted so long among Christians.
It seems beyond any proportion and quite a thin excuse that a group of Jews may or may not have played a part in condemning Jesus. The New testament description notwithstanding, Pontius Pilate was no wilting flower. If you believe Reza Aslan's "Jesus", he had already condemned several Jews to be crucified, plus as a Roman governor, he would not want to appear weak to his subjects.
But let's assume all that is true, and Jews in the first century caused Jesus to die. Don't the Christians still profess to believe in the Old testament? Where God says that the sins of the father shall not cause punishment for the children? So what explains the neo-Nazis today, the Nazis before them, the horrific pogroms in the Eastern Europe in the last few centuries, and going back even more, the crusaders murdering Jews on their way to wage the Holy War?
It is one thing to be weary of a "strange" religion (never mind that Christianity originated in Judaism and worships the same God - I think?), or suspect minorities because they don't "fit". Happens all over the world. But does not usually translate into a pattern of systematic murders.
Is it the success of Jews? A diversionary tactic by Christian (and Muslim) kings and dictators to direct the frustrations of their populace to an external whipping boy?
I get that irrational hatred cannot be fully explained by reason, but even a partial explanation would be appreciated. I have just about given up. But I think racists, Nazis, crusaders etc may be evil but not any dumber (except for the blind hate) than the rest of us. So what sustains their wrong beliefs?
Last edited by cfa-ish; 05-14-2019 at 11:42 AM..
Reason: typo - "would want" - "would not want"
I don't have any problems with any of the Christian people I know, and the Christians I know aggressively repudiate antisemites.
As for the crazies in our society and what it is that sustains their wrong beliefs... I think I lot of it has to do with irrational fear, and a sad need to feel superior to others.
My biggest problem isn't overt anti Semitism, but the more subtle stuff. My biggest issue is xians who appropriate Jewish culture and belief, and then twist it to their purposes.
I went to a womans house not too long ago (part of my job) and she had Jewish items (mezuzah, Hebrew calendar, Shabbot candles, menorah, etc) mixed in with Xian bible verses and sayings. I asked her about it ("Interesting mix you have here!") and she stated she was "messianic", a "fully redeemed and completed jew" (lower case J intentional). I had no words, so I just left it be, and I was working.
I've noticed other of these types floating around; people who would be infuriated at the idea of appropriating African American or Hispanic culture, for example have no issue what-so-ever with appropriating Jewish culture. Jesus is the "Pasach lamb"? His shows up in matzah, because of holes and stripes?? SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?
THIS is the kind of anti Semitic crap I worry about, the kind that comes with a soft hand to blur the lines and destroy our people and our culture. At least the obvious types make themselves known and don't disguise themselves as "friends of the Jews".
I went to a womans house not too long ago (part of my job) and she had Jewish items (mezuzah, Hebrew calendar, Shabbot candles, menorah, etc) mixed in with Xian bible verses and sayings. I asked her about it ("Interesting mix you have here!") and she stated she was "messianic", a "fully redeemed and completed jew" (lower case J intentional). I had no words, so I just left it be, and I was working.
Messy-anics are wacky. Like, those of us who aren't "messianic" somehow aren't complete?
My biggest problem isn't overt anti Semitism, but the more subtle stuff. My biggest issue is xians who appropriate Jewish culture and belief, and then twist it to their purposes.
I went to a womans house not too long ago (part of my job) and she had Jewish items (mezuzah, Hebrew calendar, Shabbot candles, menorah, etc) mixed in with Xian bible verses and sayings. I asked her about it ("Interesting mix you have here!") and she stated she was "messianic", a "fully redeemed and completed jew" (lower case J intentional). I had no words, so I just left it be, and I was working.
I've noticed other of these types floating around; people who would be infuriated at the idea of appropriating African American or Hispanic culture, for example have no issue what-so-ever with appropriating Jewish culture. Jesus is the "Pasach lamb"? His shows up in matzah, because of holes and stripes?? SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?
THIS is the kind of anti Semitic crap I worry about, the kind that comes with a soft hand to blur the lines and destroy our people and our culture. At least the obvious types make themselves known and don't disguise themselves as "friends of the Jews".
And then there’s the Christians that claim to be spiritual Israel...Like HaShem has abandoned us or something...And replaced us with the Christian...
Messy-anics are wacky. Like, those of us who aren't "messianic" somehow aren't complete?
Rachel, I know some Messies, they are a frustrating bunch. I had to defriend a bunch from my Facebook (long story as to how they got there in the first place) because listening, fighting and dealing with them made me literally sick to my stomach.
I'm not a perfect Jew by any stretch, but I strive to be better. I love Judaism so much and it is so important to me that I couldn't stand to watch be desecrated in Gd's name.
Rachel, I know some Messies, they are a frustrating bunch. I had to defriend a bunch from my Facebook (long story as to how they got there in the first place) because listening, fighting and dealing with them made me literally sick to my stomach.
I'm not a perfect Jew by any stretch, but I strive to be better. I love Judaism so much and it is so important to me that I couldn't stand to watch be desecrated in Gd's name.
If you should ever want to really confuse and/or irritate a messianic (especially one that's trying to convert you), just roll your eyes and say out loud: "Forgive them, Yoshke. They know not what they do."
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