Religious antisemitism

Religious Antisemitism

Religious antisemitism refers to prejudice against or hostility towards Jews based on religious beliefs and practices. This form of antisemitism is distinct from racial antisemitism, which is based on perceived racial differences, and political antisemitism, which is motivated by political ideologies.

Historical Background

Religious antisemitism has its roots in the early history of Christianity and Islam. In the early Christian period, Jews were often blamed for the crucifixion of Jesus, leading to widespread discrimination and violence. This was further exacerbated by the Council of Nicaea and subsequent church doctrines that portrayed Jews in a negative light.

In the Islamic world, while Jews were generally considered "People of the Book" and afforded certain protections, they were also subject to periods of persecution and forced conversion, particularly during times of political upheaval.

Key Concepts

• Deicide: The accusation that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus, a charge that fueled centuries of Christian antisemitism.
• Blood libel: A false accusation that Jews used the blood of Christian children in religious rituals, leading to numerous pogroms and massacres.
• Host desecration: The claim that Jews desecrated the Eucharist, which led to violence and persecution.

Modern Implications

Religious antisemitism continues to influence contemporary antisemitic attitudes and actions. It often intersects with other forms of antisemitism, such as cultural antisemitism, and can be found in various religious and political contexts around the world.

Efforts to Combat Religious Antisemitism

Numerous interfaith dialogue initiatives aim to address and reduce religious antisemitism by promoting understanding and cooperation between different religious communities. Organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the World Council of Churches work to combat antisemitism through education and advocacy.

See Also

• Antisemitism
• Christian–Jewish reconciliation
• Islamic–Jewish relations

References

James,

 Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews, 
  
 Houghton Mifflin, 
 2001, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-0-395-77927-6,

Langmuir, Gavin I.,

 Toward a Definition of Antisemitism, 
 Social Studies, 
 1990, 
 Vol. 50(Issue: 3), 
 pp. 335–350,

External Links

• Anti-Defamation League
• World Council of Churches