The Causes of Anti-Semitism

Book excerpt: Discusses the history and theology of the Jewish and Christian religions, questioning the validity of the Bible. By assuming divine authority, members of both religions felt justified in persecuting nonbelievers. Contends that the Hebrew Bible, written by human beings, bears contributory responsibility for anti-Judaism and antisemitism because it has taught exclusivity and separateness. The self-serving attitudes of priestly sects of Jews were taken up by the hierarchy of Catholic and other Christian Churches, which are responsible for the hostility toward Jews and political actions which led to two millenia of persecution, suffering, and millions of deaths. Although Jews could cope with ancient antisemitism, they were powerless in the face of theologically-driven Christian antisemitism, starting with the Gospels and Paul. Believes that the antisemitism in the Christian Bible led to Auschwitz. Contends that antisemitism will not disappear since there is no Jewish or Christian authority who would change their Scriptures.