Why do ppl use "Jew" as an insult?

Question

im a Jewish girl at a public school of all Christians, several of the teachers are also Jewish, but i hear ppl saying "you Jew" and "omg i HATE mrs.w/e, shes such a jew" i understandably take offense to such talk. But why should it be looked on as a bad thing, im a proud "Jew" and know for a fact that without it Christianity could not have been formed without the help of my people!

Answer 1

Of course there's nothing wrong with being a Jew - it's just that not everybody feels that way. People naturally take those people and things that they hate, and then to be called those things become insults. Ever heard a child say something they didn't like was "gay"? Odds are, there was nothing homosexual about whatever they were referring to, which may have been a person, place or thing. But because gays are ostracized in our society, the word became a slang synonym for "bad". So too with Jews - not that there's any connection between gays and Jews other than that they are widely hated. For an anti-Semitic bigot, "Jew" is an insult, either calling a person a Jew, or using Jew as a verb, as in "don't jew me" - "jew" meaning to rip somene off. Although most are unaware of its racial connotations, to "gyp" someone or "be gyped" is based on a similar slur referring to Gypsies.

Personally, I don't really take any pride in the fact that Christianity was founded by Jews - it's a pale imitation of the original product. But it does make me laugh when I think about all those bigots out there who spend their time bad-mouthing Jews, then on Sundays they go to church and bow down to one. Go figure!

Answer 2

Exactly the same thing happened to me when I was in school. It felt so horrible, and I didn't know how to respond. Of course it's true that I am Jewish, but they made it sound so ugly. And it was a cheap shot, because they didn't even say what it was about Jews that they didn't like -- so how could I defend myself?

Of course, now I realize that they were immature and insecure. They had to put somebody down so that they could feel better about themselves. Fortunately, most of them outgrew this as they got older, and I expect that you will find this as well.

In the meantime, there is little I can offer. Except, it might be good for you to learn as much as you can about Jewish history and culture, and to spend some time around people of your own faith. Such experiences can be fulfilling, and can help you keep the right perspective.

I wish you well.

Answer 3

I think when people use this as an insult they have a certain characteristic in mind and not the Jewish religion itself. Historically there has been bad incidents that happened that were associated with Jews so I think this is what they are associating it with when they use it. However generalizing is not good and would be the same as using christian as an insult for having the crusades committed by Christians or using a Muslim as an insult because 9/11 is attributed to few Muslims.

By the way have you read this story? Watch the video if you can.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/12/subway.attack/index.html

Answer 4

I love the jews.. of course I am sure there might be one I am not friends with here where I live but that is not because she is a Jew.! More a personality clash.. and besides .. many friends my family has are Muslims.. Jews.. Christians.. etc. But hate anyone ? Just for being born a jew or choosing to become one? No. It would be silly.

You should simply consider the source..and let go of anger .. some people just do not have the patience to sit and study torah or scriptures.... and so the evidence of that is in their words. God gives all of us enough time to come into His terms. A mean person is the same as any other person.

It just all takes time. Ok? Do not let stuff like that bother you.

Many people on the world ..God made into shark types.. kind of flat and grayish ... those are the kinds who call other people names. Someday they will have to change. It will be ok. Everyone goes through phases in life where they simply say anything just because they can.

Answer 5

My understanding is that Jew is not considered an insult when it's used as a noun, but it is considered an insult when it's used as an adjective or verb.

"He's a Jew" is acceptable, though obviously someone could say it in a nasty way that sounds like an insult
"He's a Jew banker" is not acceptable, though "He's a Jewish banker" is
"He jewed it up" is definitely not acceptable. "Jew" is sometimes used as a verb that means "swindle, cheat, or bargain" and this is definitely offensive and derogatory.

(please don't be offended that I used Jew in a derogatory sense here, I just did it to illustrate)

In a way it's just one of those funny terms where over time the meaning has evolved. To give another example, "Japanese" is an acceptable term to use for a person from Japan, but "Jap" is not. Or "Pakistani" may be used for a person from Pakistan, but "Paki" is offensive.

Answer 6

Christians hate jews because jews believe that jews are god's chosen ones, and christians know that christians are not. Since jesus was a jew, it does seem so to christians. Jealousy is what you should be thinking. You should forgive christians for being so petty in their jealousy, since they cannot control themselves like jews can.

Answer 7

ITS VERY SAD. I AM SORRY FOR WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.
I AM A MUSLIM, I WILL STAND TO DEFEND YOU. THIS IS MY RELIGIOUS DUTY TO SPEAK THE TRUTH EVEN IF AGAINST MY PEOPLE.THERE IS NOTHING WRONG TO BE A JEW. LEARN TO TOLERATE SUCH THINGS. THE ONLY PROBLEM COMES FROM IGNORANCE AND CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IN MIDDLE EAST. YOU MUST REMEMBER YOUR FORE-FATHERS ALWAYS WISH YOU WELL - MOSES,HARON.JOSHUA,DAVID,SOLOMON EVEN JESUS (SAME CHRISTIAN WORSHIP HIM)...
SHALOM

Answer 8

Hugs to you! I'm so sorry you have to go through that. Some people will always remain ignorant bigots, you just have to learn to cope with it. You hang in there, there's nothing, absolutely nothing wrong, with being a Jew.
.

Answer 9

Jews are from a very old race . Nowhere in the entire world can any other race be found that has contributed so much to civilization.
The race that hates Jews is the Muslims . I would love to have a leading Muslim list all the great inventions made by Muslims , and also those made by Jews .
Result , Muslims zero. Jews uncountable .

Answer 10

All hail Caesar