>>It hasn't been changed, it was coined to mean anti-Jewish and that was how it was used. His name eludes me right now, but an Austrian Jewish scholar used it in the 1860s to criticise some virulently anti-Jewish scholar and 20 years later, Wilhelm Marr widely used the term to reffer(sic) solely to Jews.<<

That seems to me to be a very specious and dark argument. Its like fundamentalists saying that the only meaning of "Anti-Christian" was to be against them. Or for Mexicans to say that "anti-immigrant" means anti-Mexican. Or for "pro-life" to refer only to people who are anti-abortion.

Wilhelm Marr using common english words to his own purpose does not make his usage correct. He did not trade mark the word, so "anti-Semitic" meaning against Semites, as Semites are defined is obviously the correct usage.

"Anti-Jew", is a much more precise and honest term. It is what most people mean when they say "anti-Semitic". Certainly it is what anyone who shares Mr. Marr's definition means. I don't know why they do not just use the former. I know its an old tradition to use the broader term for the specific group, and apparently we have Mr. Marr to thank for that, but I feel that there is a certain unintended comedy in hearing an Arab called an anti-Semite. Its as if a Mexican immigrant called me anti-immigrant, when I am also an immigrant.

Which brings me to Len Wallace's point. Carter is pretty blunt and specific when he names the pharisees in that song. I am sure that if he had meant to name the Semites or the Jews or anyone else and specifically blame them for the crucifixion he would have. Anyone who sings the song and doesn't interpret it as that is also in the clear.

It is very clear that in the scenario of the trial and execution of Jesus, some Jews caused his death. Most people, all sensible people, do not share that belief. If someone is determined to believe such tripe, censoring this song won't help. I think that the songwriter used a horrible metaphor to express the story as told. It is no more or less anti-Semitic than the story in the Bible, which I do not believe was anti-Semitic at all.