Why are so many cultures anti-Semitic and why have Jews been persecuted for so long?

Question

I actually attended a Catholic school for many years (which made me anti-Catholic, but I digress) and I learned that a Jew betrayed Jesus, but that the Romans who were not Jewish persecuted Jesus, to put it simply.

Of course the answer lies somewhere with Christianity, but it has always perplexed me as to why people are anti-Semitic, considering Jesus himself was a Jew.

Answer 1

There are several reasons for antisemitism:

1. The story of Judas betraying Jesus.

2. Walter's excellent analysis of Jews' financial success in Europe and their subsequent demonization.

3. Religious Jews have a hard time fitting in, due to their appearance (skullcap and long sideburns), observance of Kashrut, and very involved customs (such as eating no leaven on Passover).
For example, imagine if you invited your Orthodox Jewish friend over for a meal. Despite his wishes, he would not be able to eat at your home, because the food and dishes are not kosher.
Another example: as a kid, I brought "matsah" (unleavened bread) to school in my lunch bag on Passover. This marked me as different.

4. Religious Jews don't bow down to people, only to God. This caused people to think that Jews are not loyal to the country in which they live (which is simply not true; Jews pray for the government of the country in which they reside).

5. Since Jews are so obviously a distinct, "strange", and different group, they make an easy target. People have found Jews to be a convenient scapegoat throughout the ages.
For example, see speakenglishspic34's answer, above.

Answer 2

you have to face the fact that anti-Semitism is one of those things that defy logic.

let me share this quote with you

Professor Michael Curtis of Rutgers University:

"Everybody has a people that they hate; a group you don't like, that are threatening you. But the uniqueness of anti-Semitism lies in the fact that no other people in the world have been charged simultaneously with alienation from society and with cosmopolitanism; with being capitalist exploiters and also revolutionary communists; with having a materialistic mentality or being a people of the book. We are accused of being both militant aggressors and cowardly pacifists; adherents to a superstitious religion and agents of modernism. We uphold a rigid law and are also morally decadent. We have a chosen people mentality and an inferior human nature; we are both arrogant and timid; individualist and communally adherent; we are guilty of both the crucifixion of Jesus to Christians and to others we are held to account for the invention of Christianity. Everything and its opposite becomes an explanation for anti-Semitism."

Answer 3

Here's an example:

European Jews would see themselves ostracized from whatever society the were in. As a result, they huddled together. This made them look "sneaky."

Now, since they could work in trades that Christians couldn't (like money lending), they had unique opportunities for economic growth. Thus, they mode more money. This made them look "snooty" and "rich."

Once they acquired economic control due to their positions in finances, they could go on and assume the role of moneylender. Now, when hard times struck and families had to ask for money/had to pay back loans, guess who was villified? That's right... the money-lending Jew.

And that's all I can think of right now.

Answer 4

your an idiot you lie you never went to a catholic church you should not lie to make a point jews have been responsible for killing millions and millions there just in a situation where they can cover it up and make themselves out to be the victim there responsible for 9/11

Answer 5

Check out this online seminar on the subject:

http://www.aish.com/seminars/whythejews/