So, please explain why Christians in general hate Jews?

Question

I am curious why this is so. Give references if able. Maybe it's just some of the people I encounter, but I have noticed a lot of Catholics and basic Christians are racist towards African Americans and the Jewish culture, in general. I do not blame the religion, I just ask how/why people would have this conception of hatred.

I don't hate anyone, it's a question. A simple question about possible racism.

I guess this is just a poorly worded question, I apologize. Maybe I should try to help with the answer. If anyone is racist towards Jewish people, state why and what scripture do you obtain this from.

Answer 1

Your premise is flawed. Christians do not hate Jews generically, and indeed are obligated to pray for them, and support them in every way possible as God's Chosen People. However, and I write as a PhD Historian, the Priests at the time of Jesus condemnation said - "His blood be upon us and our heirs forever!" -- the ignorant of the Middle Ages took this to mean they should be despised as "Christ Killers"
Also, many venal men in leadership knew they could stir the emotions of the mob with this kind of talk and easily foster persecution as a way of confiscating the wealth of the Jews in the ghettos of Europe (et al). The Jewish people entered the Jewelry industry for example (having been primarily agrarian people before being forced to migrate) because a velvet cloth covered with Jewels, necklaces, and all sorts of expensive adornments on display for sale, could be rolled up and ready to get out of Dodge in a hurry. It was an easy way to protect your wealth, to have it small and portable. Also jealousy was a common factor - the ordinary Jew as a matter of course learned to read at a time when almost no common person read; the sanitary and dietary laws by which Jews live, gave them exceptional freedom from disease, and an unusually long life span in eras in which nearly half the population was succumbing to the plague, and life expectancy was rarely beyond 35 for common people or royalty. Circumcision alone protected Jewish men from Illnesses common to the rest of society which rarely bathed or understood personal care. The Jewish community cared for their own people at a higher level than common during the "dark ages" until the rise of the monasteries began some semblance of provided food and health care, such as it was, in those days - whereas the Jewish people had a long history of knowing and practicing the best medical care available at that time. The Jews, because of these things, seemed to many to have a pact with the devil -(odd thinking indeed) - "Why does Isaac never get sick, why does his wife survive the childbirth so easily, why do his children mostly live to grow up, while I am sick all the time, I have lost three wifes, and only 2 of my ten children made it past the age of 5 -Yet I am as good as he, I go to Mass, pay my taxes, obey the law, yet he prospers and I do not! He must be evil, Christ Killer, destroy his house! divide his lands and goods among us neighbors, let us rid ourselves of this evil doer.!" Such is the mind set that has bedeviled our Jewish Brethren for centuries.In today's world, such attitudes still exist, but rarely and only among the most intellectually benighted fold.
As to the African Culture - I am not sure what that means. There is no African Culture - in Africa there are several tribal cultures. In America, the situation is highly complex. Generally, however, Evangelical christians get along fine with black evangelicals except in remote corners where what is called Christianity is as remote from the real thing as night from day - snake handlers for example, and the non-christian cults such as Mormonism for whom the inferiority of the black man is doctrine (see the "Pearl of Great Price"). Among some Jews there is animosity toward the black man because they mistakenly believe the descendants of Ham, son of Noah, are condemned to be "hewers of wood, and drawers of water." It is a necessity laid upon every Christian who has gone beyond his childhood training to acquire maturity, and hatred toward anyman is intolerable - the desire to help individuals reach the highest they can is inherent in Christianity - the lifestyle of many persons who live contrary to the laws of God, may be despised, but not the person - the key message is redemption through vicarious sacrifice. That means if your salvation depends on my giving my life in your place - I do so willingly - this is why the overwhelming number of persons willing to be organ donors are Christians - it is in the catechism,-- and among even the most orthodox jews, willingness to be a donor outways the sanctitly of the body, and is considered an obligation of Torah - decided by vote 4 or 5 years ago at a national convention of orthodox Rabbi's.
No, I would have to repeat, your premise, and your personal experience are flawed - If you know a prejudiced person claiming to be a practicing Catholic, suggest to him to re-study his faith, and take a long walk at night in the rain, periodically banging his head on a telephone pole until he gets it. The gulf between public proclamation of faith, and adherence to all its requirements has been immense at all times and all places, with occasional brilliant bursting forth of true saintliness (often in unheralded places - and we have all known such people).
Finally, you must understand that Evil is real, and is an active, hard-working force driving men throughout all ages to try to persuade men to row up-stream when down is easier - to try the "new" path, when the right path is well-marked and proven. Or as may be rightly said to many an addict on skid row - "when all else fails, take the manufacturer's handbook and follow directions."a

Answer 2

True Christians do not hate Jews or hate anyone. Period.... end of topic. Jesus gave us 2 Commandments.

Matthew 22:37: 37 Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' F123 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself

Our Jesus was Jewish. During the Second World War, many Christians gave up their lives and homes to hide the Jewish people who were being killed.

I am very sad and sorry you have run into people who have used Christianity and hate in the same breath.

May Father God bless and keep you, and know that more Christians love everyone, than the few who use Christianity for there own ends.

Answer 3

new they could stir the emotions of the mob with this kind of talk and easily foster persecution as a way of confiscating the wealth of the Jews in the ghettos of Europe (et al). The Jewish people entered the Jewelry industry for example (having been primarily agrarian people before being forced to migrate) because a velvet cloth covered with Jewels, necklaces, and all sorts of expensive adornments on display for sale, could be rolled up and ready to get out of Dodge in a hurry. It was an easy way to protect your wealth, to have it small and portable. Also jealousy was a common factor - the ordinary Jew as a matter of course learned to read at a time when almost no common person read; the sanitary and dietary laws by which Jews live, gave them exceptional freedom from disease, and an unusually long life span in eras in which nearly half the population was succumbing to the plag

Answer 4

The true believer in Christ does NOT hate the Jews. First of all JESUS was a JEW!!!!! I for one LOVE the Jewish people... they are so special... just THINK about it, they are the ONLY NATIONALITY to endure time and come out as a DEFINITE recognizable people!!!

There have been people from the beginning who have had prejudices against those of other races and other religions. That is a sad fault of many.

But it is NOT Christians in general that feel that way. Christians are always getting a bad rap, largely due to NEGAVTIVE MEDIA .

God made us all. We should love one another.

Answer 5

I can't explain that, because it is generally not true. You are stereotyping and generalizing as much as the Christians you accuse of it. It sounds like you're encountering the minority. No doubt there are some loud, obnoxious racists out there. Consider this, though: do you consider the vast majority of Americans to be Jew-haters and racists? The statistical evidence does not suggest this is true, and yet the vast majority of Americans are Christians. Doesn't mean that there are not racist and anti-semitic Christians out there, but I think you are wrong that Christians, in general, are like this. I'm a Christian, and I have known very few that are racist OR anti-semitic. The few I have known I do not associate with.

Answer 6

Simple query, with a protracted, thousands of years of historical past reply. Same purpose persons generally tend to hate different races & religions, I bet. Because they're exclusive. The Europeans hating on Jews are most likely Christian or Muslim, I'm guessing...

Answer 7

I thank God that the majority of Christians do not hate Jews. Most have mistaken notions about Jews and Judaism, but I don't see that the majority hate us.

I'm Jewish and live in an area that is less " Jew friendly" than when I grew up, however, I relate this directly to the rise in fundamentalism.

Unfortunately, I cannot see any other primary source for the historic Jew hating remarks and Inquisition, pogroms and holocaust and now, demonizing in order to justify telling us we're going to burn in hell, than through the use of the New Testament passages themselves.

There are a great many passages in the New Testament with anti-Jewish sentiment.

Answer 8

Many people who profess to be Christians forget one important fact: Jesus (Y'shua in Aramaic) and the holy family were Jewish. They think that there is this hard and fast line between Christianity and Judaism. Also, many of these folks were taught to blame the Jewish people for the crucifixion, even though these Jewish people were working for the Roman guard and hierarchy in what was basically a police state at that time in history.

So, what you are up against is just plain and simple ignorance. Lack of knowledge, coupled with a strange unwillingness to ask themselves the once popular question: What would Jesus do? (WWJD?) Jesus never hated anyone. Nor did he teach hatred or bigotry. It's a shame really. To carry the name of the Teacher who taught love, peace, justice, equality, and connectedness, and then put more and more bricks in the walls of separation or division.

Not all Christians are like this. Neither are all Christ followers. There is a difference. Although the two are connected.

Progressive Christians and/or Christ followers do not subscribe to hatred or division. We take seriously Jesus' (Y'shua's) many teachings on the importance of not judging. It is no one's place to judge. No one's.

I myself follow the teachings of Christ and the teachings of the Buddha to the best of my ability. I take a bit of flak from conservative Christians who have a very narrow definition of what it means to follow Christ. Many of my friends are Jewish, and we manage to find a lot of common ground. Conversely, as adults and as friends, we respect and honor each other enough to learn when to agree to disagree. This is how we keep the peace. Those who judge are not coming from a loving place. But truly I think we all have a lot to learn in this regard. Where is the love?

Answer 9

.You know I have been a christian for over 30 years and I've heard that only from NON-Christians. I've never met a Christians that hates Jews. NEVER! I don't hate Jews, African American or any other race. Even *gasp* Muslims, why would I? We are a, oh no, here it comes again, *gasp* bi-racial family. The family of God is full of all the races of the world. And they are all BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I think that is a media perpetuated lie.
Sorry can't help you.

Answer 10

You are making a huge generalization. I'm Catholic and my sister-in-law is Jewish, from Isreal in fact, and she is accepted in our family just like anyone else would be. The Jewish faith is the forefather to the Catholic religion after all and therefore all Christian denominations. We all worship the same God, I don't really care what name you choose to call him by, but that's how I was brought up.
I can't address the African American part of your question as I am from Canada and we don't seem to have as much racial strife here. In fact one of the Priests at my church is from Africa, he's great.
My Aunt,who is a Nun, has spent years doing missionary work in Africa, South America and Viet Nam. I don't think you'd get too far if you are intolerant of other cultures and races or their religions when you are in their country and hold all sorts of prejudices. It just wouldn't work.
I think you have encountered small minded people.

Answer 11

It's good that you are questioning bias and hatred. But you are basing your entire question on false assumptions. If you were one of my students, I would make you rewrite your question without all the assumptive generalizations:

- Christians in general DO NOT hate Jews. Some probably do, but most probably do not.
- You are correct that "it's just some of the people" you encounter that hate Jews.
- Why do you think a lot of Catholics and basic Christians are racist toward AfricanAmericans and the Jewish culture? Another assumption based on an admittedly small exposure.
- You say you don't blame the religion, but certainly sounds that way.
- And I have no idea why people would have "this conception of hatred".