The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #59165   Message #941655
Posted By: musicmick
28-Apr-03 - 01:36 AM
Thread Name: BS: What is Anti-Semitism?
Subject: RE: BS: What is Anti-Semitism?
I hope we dont have to go over this again and again. The misinformation about Jews and their "common" belief is as continuous a lie as there exists in history. Ill informed non-jews have been more than willing to believe the most prepostorous chaserai from grinding up the bones of Gentile children to make matzoh to the suggestion that Israel knew about the 9/11 attack in advance but withheld the information to inflame Americans against the Arabs. Here are a few facts (not that it will make any difference to many).
The Jews are an ancient people who have survived, as a culture, because they have not assimilated into the various societies that have housed them in their exile, which we call diaspora. There is a tribal religion that unites the people but, unlike modern religions, ours is not a requirement for tribal membership. Even our bible is more a historical record than a litany of faith. Comparing Jews to Christians or Moslems is invalid. A Christian, for example, is someone who believes in the divinity of Christ. If he does not hold this belief, he ceases to be a Christian. A Jew is defined by birth and liniage. Think of a jew as you would a Navajo or a Maori.
Critsism of the Israeli government is not, in itself, anti-Semetic. Lots of Jews critisize the government. Lots of Israelis critisize the Prime Minister and the Knesset every day. However, if you critisize Israel for their very existense, I would suspect that you are anti-Jewish or anti-Semetic (both are acceptable)