A New Explanation of Antisemitism (A Response to The Passion's Critics)

FreeRepublic ^ | March 10, 2004 | gobucks

[gobucks]

Click A New Explanation of Antisemitism.

[gobucks]

I haven't seen anywhere what I was hoping to see ... so, I've taken the liberty to write it. I doubt you'll regret reading it.

[presidio9]

"An anti-semite is no longer 'a person who hates Jews.' It has become 'a person who Jews hate.'"

[dangus]

That's the dumbest article I've ever read. Just because liberals misuse words doesn't mean their original meaning is out the window and you can give them new meanings. (Yes, we all know the LEFT does this -- "Gay," "feminist," etc. -- but that doesn't make it right for us to do it. "Antisemitism" is a word with a problemmatic etymology because it literally means "opposed to Semites," a word which includes Arabs

When a leftist falsely accuses someone of "anti-semitism," they are lying about the person's motivations. They do mean to say that the person hates Jews. How you equate "semitism" with "legalism" is bizarre. Reideentifying anti-semitism with liberty is meaningless and will only cause a confusion that is deadly to the concept of liberty.

It's like deciding that the left is wrong when they call Bush a liar, so declaring that "liar" means "openly religious."

Meanwhile, "philosemite" used most commonly among conservatives to refer to those who love Israel, Zion, or the people through whom God bequeathed us scripture and Christ. There is a word already for what you mean, "Judaizer."

[gobucks]

Thanks for the ping! It was a different spin, but the 'unholy alliance b/t the left and Islamic fanatics' was well pointed out.

[gobucks]

Just because liberals misuse words doesn't mean their original meaning is out the window and you can give them new meanings.

Sounds a LOT like words a leftist would love reading. You validated my article w/ this post, totally. But, given that its 'dumb', in accordance with your perceptive, insightful, wisdom, one wonders why you responded at all.

[Mamzelle]

re: There is a word already for what you mean, "Judaizer.")))

I've seen this term many times, have looked up the meaning and still been confused. What exactly does this term mean?

Why I want to know--Presently I am reading a book on the Spanish Inquisition, and many of those persecuted were "conversos"--Jews who got baptized to try to appease the Catholic authorities, not completely forced but certainly harshly encouraged. I see the term "judaizing" in this book, and it is used in an idiomatic way that eludes the dictionary's help.

[Sam Cree]

You make a lot of very good points, most of which I agree with. Yes, the word "anti Semitism" is used as a weapon, and not just by the Left, as is the "race card." Still, as you say, anti Semitism does exist. And it is a real and dire threat everywhere in the world with the possible exception of America.

"Antisemitism is to be guilty of loving the truth."

I guess you are making the point that it is the Left that is distorting the word "anti Semitism" into the above definition.

Nevertheless, it is really hurtful to see it written in that way, and really really offensive.

[presidio9]

"Anti-semitism" is rapidly becoming the new "homophobia."

[Sam Cree]

"Anti-semitism" is rapidly becoming the new "homophobia."

Hopefully your new tagline won't say "anti Semitic and proud of it."

[dangus]

The Apostle Peter received a message from the Lord that Christians should not reject the uncircumcized from their faith. Thus he decreed that to the entire Church. Nonetheless, the church in Jerusalem began insisting on circumcision. Paul complained to Peter and the Bishop of Jerusalem, James. The disciples were all recalled to Jerusalem and they affirmed together that converts need not be circumcized.

Paul wrote at great length, though, about these Jewish converts to Christianity who were trying to cling to Jewish law, even though Christ had instituted a new covenant. Such Jews became known as "Judaizers" because they were essentially trying convert Christians to Judaism.

The term is probably politically incorrect. I certainly would hesitate using it front of a Jewish audience. However, since Jews do not seek converts from among gentiles, "Judaizers" is reasonably understood to refer to Christians, not "authentic" Jews, and so it's not taken as antisemitic.

[dangus]

>>"You validated my article w/ this post, totally."<<
>>"one wonders why you responded at all."<<

Maybe this should've given you a clue:

"Reideentifying anti-semitism with liberty is meaningless and will only cause a confusion that is deadly to the concept of liberty."

Or perhaps this:

"Yes, we all know the LEFT does this -- 'Gay,' 'feminist,' etc. -- but that doesn't make it right for us to do it."

Unless you feel validated in mimicking the evils of the left.

[Mamzelle]

Thanks.

"Conversos" were the ones who were the most persecuted in the Spanish Inquisition.

It is proving to be an interesting read. Other unexpected things--as atrocities go, the Inquisition was not very big--over several years time in a populous country (and the time was around that of Columbus's explorations), the victims numbered in the low thousands, probably a total less than ten. For a brutal time, that surprised. Particularly contrasted with the twentieth century.

The monarchy was always trying to rein in the zealots--

[presidio9]

No, I don't think most people would appreciate the nuance.

[SJackson]

Just because liberals misuse words doesn't mean their original meaning is out the window and you can give them new meanings.

Hope you didn't mean things like

"An anti-semite is no longer 'a person who hates Jews.' It has become 'a person who Jews hate.'"

That comes from a first rate Holocaust denier, I wouldn't slander liberals with that accusation.

[rogueleader]

I reject the notion that the Gospels are anti-Semitic.

As for the movie, I haven't seen it.

This "New Explanation" that someone posted, however, is nothing but hogwash.

[veronica]

"An anti-semite is no longer 'a person who hates Jews.' It has become 'a person who Jews hate.'"

Sayeth, famously, the self-admitted "counter-semite" Joe Sobran.

[veronica]

"Antisemitism" is a word with a problemmatic etymology because it literally means "opposed to Semites," a word which includes Arabs.

Wrong. It's in every dictionary. I'll help you out. :)

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

One entry found for anti-Semitism.

Main Entry: an·ti-Sem·i·tism Pronunciation: "an-ti-'se-m&-"ti-z&m, "an-"tI- Function: noun : hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group - an·ti-Se·mit·ic /-s&-'mi-tik/ adjective - an·ti-Sem·ite /-'se-"mIt/ noun

There ya' go...

[SJackson]

Sayeth, famously, the self-admitted "counter-semite" Joe Sobran.

Lou Rollins, holocaust denier with the IHR. Mr. Jew Obsessed popularized it.

[veronica]

Thanks for clarification.

[SJackson]

Thanks…"Conversos" were the ones who were the most persecuted in the Spanish Inquisition….It is proving to be an interesting read. Other unexpected things--as atrocities go, the Inquisition was not very big--over several years time in a populous country (and the time was around that of Columbus's explorations), the victims numbered in the low thousands, probably a total less than ten. For a brutal time, that surprised. Particularly contrasted with the twentieth century…The monarchy was always trying to rein in the zealots--

Yeah, several years, 1492 to 1808.

Couple thousand victims is a lowball, most say 5,000 to 7,000.

Not very big. Presuming you consider the expulsion of several hundred thousand Jews and the deaths of 10,000 or so in transit irrelevant.

Naah, the Inquisition wasn’t a big thing.