Why do people hate Jews?

Publius · 01-15-2008, 03:56 PM

Serious question, sparked in part by the conspiracy theory thread. Why do so many people hate Jews? I can sort of understand why people in Palestine, etc. hate Jews given their interactions with Israel, but why would people in Germany, Australia, etc. with no vested interested in the middle east hate them?

Judaism is (to use a cooking reference) like the mother sauce of the major currently existent monotheistic religions (Christianity & Islam). Both have their own distinct flavors and seasonings (customs and twists on the basic idea), but Christians and Muslims alike have acknowledged that Judaism serves as the core to beliefs.

Jews are also the least "imperial" of the monotheistic religions. I've never met a Jew that has actively attempted to convert people to his religious beliefs. Jews have never, as far as I am aware, had a "convert or die" philosophy as Christians and Muslims both have at various points in their histories.

So I guess my question is: what is there to hate about Jews, really? I'm not Jewish, I'm not even religious, but I can see absolutely no reason for Jews to have earned the ire of so many generations of people.

I reject the argument of some people that Jews are hated because they "killed Christ" on two grounds: 1) according to the Bible, Jesus Christ had to die in order to rise again and thus "prove" his status as the Son of God. Had he not been killed, his teachings would likely never have gained the fame they have. 2) it was a small sect of Jews that pushed for the execution of Jesus, blaming the entire ethnic group for it would be like black people blaming all Caucasians in the world for the assassination of MLK, Jr.

It just doesn't make sense.

Linzyhop · 01-15-2008, 03:59 PM

big noses and general money grubbing?

i keed i keed.

ballz2wallz · 01-15-2008, 04:13 PM

No other religion is considered 'God's Chosen People'...so, jealousy maybe?

David Octavius · 01-15-2008, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Publius

Serious question, sparked in part by the conspiracy theory thread. Why do so many people hate Jews? I can sort of understand why people in Palestine, etc. hate Jews given their interactions with Israel, but why would people in Germany, Australia, etc. with no vested interested in the middle east hate them?

Judaism is (to use a cooking reference) like the mother sauce of the major currently existent monotheistic religions (Christianity & Islam). Both have their own distinct flavors and seasonings (customs and twists on the basic idea), but Christians and Muslims alike have acknowledged that Judaism serves as the core to beliefs.

Jews are also the least "imperial" of the monotheistic religions. I've never met a Jew that has actively attempted to convert people to his religious beliefs. Jews have never, as far as I am aware, had a "convert or die" philosophy as Christians and Muslims both have at various points in their histories.

So I guess my question is: what is there to hate about Jews, really? I'm not Jewish, I'm not even religious, but I can see absolutely no reason for Jews to have earned the ire of so many generations of people.

I reject the argument of some people that Jews are hated because they "killed Christ" on two grounds: 1) according to the Bible, Jesus Christ had to die in order to rise again and thus "prove" his status as the Son of God. Had he not been killed, his teachings would likely never have gained the fame they have. 2) it was a small sect of Jews that pushed for the execution of Jesus, blaming the entire ethnic group for it would be like black people blaming all Caucasians in the world for the assassination of MLK, Jr.

It just doesn't make sense.

There's your problem right there, your trying to mix logic and religion

Faith and how it manifests itself can be very strange

Publius · 01-15-2008, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by David Octavius

There's your problem right there, your trying to mix logic and religion

Faith and how it manifests itself can be very strange

Yea, but there are a lot of atheists and other nonreligious types that have a palpable hatred for Jews.

7960 · 01-15-2008, 04:23 PM

ignorance

/thread.

JaJae · 01-15-2008, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

ignorance

/thread.

I was just going to say this. As with most stereotypes and prejudices the number one cause is simply ignorance.

hsmith · 01-15-2008, 05:05 PM

The Jewish people have always been blamed for everything and thus are hated.

When Genghis Khan invaded Europe, his invasion was blamed on Jewish people living in Europe

tbone · 01-15-2008, 05:16 PM

Religion breeds hatred, as there is no logic to religion, no winner and loser, no one can right or wrong. It's very ambiguous and scarey. Religion is why millions of people have died over the course of several centuries.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing religious people. Religions provide a lot of good in the world as well, but hatred of other religions is one of their dark sides.

kinggovernor · 01-15-2008, 05:24 PM

its been that way since the Egyptians enslaved them

northhunter · 01-15-2008, 05:29 PM

I'd have to go with the ignorance theory. That and having grown up around adults who blamed the Jewesh people for their own failures in life because it's so much easier to say something like "it's them damn Jews, can't let a man get ahead in this world" than to own up to their own mistakes, lack of commitment or whatever. Some people just have to blame someone rather than take responsibility for their own actions or in the case of some inaction.
But that just covers his country, as for the rest of the world, I have no idea.

Oh, and before anyone asks, I'm not jewish, I was raised methodist but I did eat some kosher hot dogs once.

Donkey® · 01-15-2008, 05:29 PM

It's funny that people claim the Jews are blamed for everything yet all I see a lot of them do is claim victimhood about everything.

That said, I don't hate Jews. I hate the way some constantly try to put themselves above others who have suffered throughout history as much or more than them. A lot of them try to come across as the ultimate victim...using that to justify some of the atrocities they commit themselves. Jews are NOT special. They are just another religious sect full of zealots, radicals and ignorant people.

Stylerod · 01-15-2008, 05:29 PM

Bad parenting. I guess when you were born wearing a hood on your head, like our new Jenifer seems to have, it's hard to break out of it.

Stylerod · 01-15-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

It's funny that people claim the Jews are blamed for everything yet all I see a lot of them do is claim victimhood about everything.

That said, I don't hate Jews. I hate the way some constantly try to put themselves above others who have suffered throughout history as much or more than them. A lot of them try to come across as the ultimate victim...using that to justify some of the atrocities they commit themselves. Jews are NOT special. They are just another religious sect full of zealots, radicals and ignorant people.

And plenty of thoughtful, reasonable people. You seen to have left that part off

Donkey® · 01-15-2008, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Bad parenting. I guess when you were born wearing a hood on your head, like our new Jenifer seems to have, it's hard to break out of it.

Then what do you say about those born with a yarmulke on their heads being taught they are the victims of all the evil in the world?

Donkey® · 01-15-2008, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

And plenty of thoughtful, reasonable people. You seen to have left that part off

No, I didn't. You read that part into my comments. I didn't say ALL. I said "full of." Learn to read then try to criticize.

Publius · 01-15-2008, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Then what do you say about those born with a yarmulke on their heads being taught they are the victims of all the evil in the world?

Unfortunately Jews have a pretty strong case for being the most victimized cultural group of the last few thousand years.

Publius · 01-15-2008, 05:36 PM

That said, I do agree with you donkey that it goes both ways. As much as the Jewish people HAVE been victimized, there is still no excuse in my opinion to play the victim card constantly even when victimization isn't actually occuring.

ballz2wallz · 01-15-2008, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

No, I didn't. You read that part into my comments. I didn't say ALL. I said "full of." Learn to read then try to criticize.

How do you define "full"? Most would take that to mean "the majority" which is not that far from "all". Either way, you're probably wrong by saying "full" or "all".

Stylerod · 01-15-2008, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

No, I didn't. You read that part into my comments. I didn't say ALL. I said "full of." Learn to read then try to criticize.

Full of. As in, most of?

full Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fool] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective, -er, -est, adverb, verb, noun
–adjective
1. completely filled; containing all that can be held; filled to utmost capacity: a full cup.
2. complete; entire; maximum: a full supply of food for a three-day hike.
3. of the maximum size, amount, extent, volume, etc.: a full load of five tons; to receive full pay.

Just bad wording on your part. Maybe you didn't mean it that way.