Throughout history, Jews have been persecuted by other people of many nations. What makes people hate the Jews

Question

I actually don't even know any Jewish people - but as a race thay have not been well liked. Why is this?

Answer 1

Originally it was because they were a religious minority wherever there lived. They were seen as different and were hated because they did not accept the religion of the majority, and would work on Sunday, the Christian sabbath. Jews were only allowed by law to work in certain jobs which were considered "low", such as money-lending. Also, the Catholic Church traditionally blamed the Jews for the death of Christ ( in fact, this has only recently been rejected as official catholic policy by the Pope). Interestingly, the historical record of Muslim nations' treatment of Jewish people is far more humane than any Christian nation's record.

In more recent history, racist political theories were developed which blamed Jews for all the economic problems of the world, based simply on the fact that there were several wealthy Jewish bankers. These theories, although completely false, are still used by some far right wing political groups

Answer 2

I am not a Jew but I know alot of Jewish people and have travelled to Israel. There are so many stupid misconceptions about Jews. The most common is that they are responsible for the death of Jesus. THEY DID NOT KILL JESUS. The Romans did!

I think your question is better answered by looking at the history of the middle east esp. ancient history. The Jews were unique in their culture in that at a time when others believed and followed many gods they were monotheisc. Also (and most important), they were a great waring people and have clashed swords with everyone from the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Eqyptians etc...What does this have to do with modern history, you ask? Well everything because these are the forefathers of many cultures in the region. So the animosity of our ancestors may have trickled down through the ages.

Answer 3

Before Christ, it was because surrounding nations were afraid of their God and wanted to defeat them, thereby assuring themselves peace and prosperity in the face of the "formidable" Jews. After Christ, much anti-semitism in primarily Christian nations has welled up as they are seen to be the people who killed Christ (which actually brought about a great service to the rest of the world as far as their salvation is concerned). Thereafter, many other bad stigmas and scapegoats have been attached. For example, Hitler called for the extermination of the Jews because of the Worldwide Depression that coincided with the U.S.'s Great Depression post-Great War, and the fact that Germany had to pay reparations for being on the losing side. The Jews were moneylenders because Christendom condmned this practice among devouts and so the Jews were the only ones getting rich during this harsh economic time. They once again held the enviable position of prosperity (seemingly) in the face of mass poverty. It had to be someone, but it ended up being them. Later, when the Jews were granted land in the Middle East for "new" Israel, no consideration was given to the inhabitants of this land who were allready there by the powers-that-were. So, the Jews were now also seen as land stealers "post-holocaust." In the end, many people stereotype Jews as complaining (because of their history of oppression), cheap (because they have a large amount of wealthy families in their ethnicity and most wealthy people are wealthy because they know how to manage money better than most), and hateful (because of Christendom spreading anti-semitism and the wars over territory in the Middle East). In short, just as any group is hated, the Jews are hated because society is, as a whole, full of self-loathing and jealousy.

Answer 4

I think it's a condition of their own doing. In the beginning of time in the bilble they truly were God's "chosen" people. But their arrogance and disobidence made God turn His face from them and He didn't speak for 400 years! Left to their own ways every man did what seemed right in his eyes. As a punishment to that God bestowed the blessings and priviledges he had stored up for the Jews to the Pagans or the "gentiles" (a gentile is anyone who is not a Jew). This happened time after time. God would forgive their hardheartedness and every time they did something to anger Him the more. Persecution of their race started then but if you look at things now, the Jews are really the major wealth holders in this world! They control so many industries, from jewels to the film industry. Think about it, have you ever seen a poor Jew? I don't think one exsists. God gave them an incrediable ability to persevere! Through biblical times, through the Holocaust to now, they have ALWAYS landed on their feet! Most of them are meek, quiet people who literally own the world's wealth. But why not? Did not God say the "first shall be last and the last shall be first"? Didn't He also say that "the meek shall inherit the earth"? Read your bible, it's in there. I think the same is true for the black race. We were kings and queens with our own land, I believe we went through slavery as a punishment for our pride. I think we got to big for our britches back then (and some of us still are today) and God had to bring us down a notch or two. But I also believe that there will come a time when we will rise up as one and take back what is ours, just like the Jews did. They sued for reparations and got back their jewels and money and land the Germans stole from them during WWII. Anyway, I'm getting off the point. I could go on and on about this topic but I'll spare you. I hope I answered your question sufficiently.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, human beings need scapegoats and also unfortunately, history has recorded the Jewish as the bad guys at different points. Its all in the way you see it really. Had Christ not been crucified, Christians would not have many modern versions of their religions to believe in, and certainly those who are "saved" would not be. Fact is, if all you can come up with as a reason to dislike someone is the fact they are Jewish, they should dislike you more for your lack of intelligence.

Answer 6

some of the early Jewish people have been prosecuted, yes. especially during the time of Adolf Hitler where he made the Nazi camp intentionally killing the Jews, in a form of holocaust or being burned alive.

this happened in the 1940's anyway, they did this because well practically it was the Jews who were behind the Crucifixion of Jesus. but the Jews did this because they don't believe Jesus then, and they also thought that it is mockery to say that you are the Son of God.

and it also in their religion that they only believe in the Holy Father alone. for example, Christians believe in Christ(as the son of God), Muslims believe in Muhammed(holy prophet), Buddhists believe in Buddha(holy prophet), etc, for the Jews, they don't believe that there is the Son.

Answer 7

The big reason they were not liked in Germany, pre Hitler, was because they owned all the factories and businesses and only hired Jewish people and no one else. They tend to be that way to this very day. That would be part of it. As far as what is going on in Israel that land was given to them by God they are just doing what they need to do to get it back. And as far as people not liking them well its just a people thing. Some don't like Mexicans some don't like Chinese and so on they all have what they think are valid reasons and who are we to say they are not.

Answer 8

Monckee's answer was funny, but I think part of the reason other countries have disliked the Jews was because they had a covenant relationship with the one true God, and they were chosen to prepare to bring about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I think it is a case of terrible spiritual jealousy in general. By the way, it is inaccurate to say they "killed" Jesus Christ - it was a small group of Jewish elders who tried Jesus and betrayed Him into the hands of the Romans with lies about what He had supposedly done to deserve death as a traitor to the Roman empire, none of which was true. The Atonement was what Jesus Christ was sent to earth to bring about, and in this instance He had to be put in a position where He could offer up His life on the cross to finish the suffering He started in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to effecting the first wave of the Resurrection, to become the "firstfruits of them who slept" or all those who had died in this earth (1 Corinthians 15:20). In the case of the Holocaust, it is my opinion that Satan and his followers had been holding a terrible grudge against the Jews for centuries because of that role they had in helping Jesus Christ from before the history of the world, and Satan inspired Hitler and his cronies to carry out a terrible campaign in trying to eliminate the Jews and other people. In this case, Satan was trying to keep the Jews from fulfilling their purpose in what they will do in the world's history up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which has already been prophesied. People who do not understand the Jews' role in world history will often accuse them of terrible things, and I recognize they have not had a perfect past, but we owe them gratitude for many contributions they have made to the world, including keeping records which have become part of what we know as the Bible.

Answer 9

I've worked with Jewish people as I used to work in the mall vendor business and one thing I can guess why people started not liking them was because they are all about doing business with other Jews. When you stick to one race and only do business with your self it starts to piss people off. Plus the bible saying they are god's chosen people doesn't make it any better for them either.

Answer 10

I wonder if it is because they believe they are the chosen people.

I think it is also envy - because Jewish poeple are very comitted to their religion and often very talented people. Many famous musicians are Jewish eg - and of course my favourite famous Jewish person, who is Freud.

I don't agree that they are not well liked - I always seem to get on with Jewish people. They have a fascinating and tragic history.

Interesting question.