Quote:
Originally Posted by JavaBlack";p="
Are Jews really hated all that much by rational people these days?
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Unfortunately, yes they are. In Europe and in virtually all muslim lands Jews are still hated with varying degrees of sophistication.
To the question why, I beleive it is quite simply a historical reaction to having a group of people declaring themselves "god's people" and the rest of mankind
goyim (which beleive me, is not a compliment). It is bound to ruffle feathers. TB has brought up specific historical charges that have arisen out the roles that Jews played as moneylenders for instance. It must be remembered that Jews began playing such roles historically because they were considered inferior trades. In fact, the OT is generally oppossed to usury (at least in terms of inter-Judaic trade). So while this might partially explain some of the contempt that has developed over the years it in no way fully tells the story. After all, ethnic Chinese are hated in Malaysia for similiar economic reasons but this phenomenon has never experienced the same widespread acceptance that antisemitism has. Again, it is reactionary outcome against an explicitly biggoted beleif system which explains the hatred.
The irony is that for most Jews the ancient way of thinking is dead while for much of Europe and islam it remains a basic axiom.