LP 2 - Religion and Intolerance

Transcription

1 LP 2 Religion and Intolerance Tolerance and Inhumanity Jeff McDonald I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator. - Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1 Chapter 2 Religion and Intolerance Religious Intolerance means "the expression of hatred towards, or discrimination against, persons of a specific religion affiliation, usually a minority faith." Throughout history, many religious individuals have often been intolerant of others who do not share the same religious faith. 1

2 What do you think? It has been said that more people have died from wars over religion than wars over territory. Why are religions so often intolerant of other religions? The Development of Judaism According to Jewish scholars, Abraham was the first Jew, being he was the first to reject idolatry and preach monotheism (approximately years ago). Because of his devotion, God promised he would have children, starting with Isaac, who would carry on his work and eventually inherit the land of Israel (then called Canaan). The Development of Judaism God sent the patriarch Jacob and his children to Egypt. After they became enslaved, God sent Moses to free the Israelites from slavery. After the Exodus from Egypt, the Jews traveled to Mount Sinai and were given the Torah, and eventually were led by God to the Land of Israel. 2

3 Antisemitism First coined by Wilhelm Marr, a 19 th century German journalist, which means the hatred of Jews and Judaism. Three types of Antisemitism: Cultural Religious Racial Cultural Antisemitism Antisemitism based on how the Jews lived and what they did. Monotheism in a polytheistic world Occupations Life centered on Family Strict dietary laws The Black Plague (1348) Religious Antisemitism Antisemitism based on what other people (Christians) believed about the Jews. Christian Scriptures demonize the Jews Roman occupation of Judea Deicide Gospel of John equates Jews with Devils Superstitions about the Jews Blood libel Witchcraft Desecrating the Eucharist 3

4 Religious Antisemitism Christianity separates itself as a sect of Judaism Circumcision is out, baptism is in Dietary laws are abandoned in favor of fellowship Destruction of Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE is seen as a punishment. Diaspora the expulsion of the Jews from Israel Constantine s dream and the decision to make Christianity the state religion. Jews are persecuted. Religious Antisemitism Canonical Laws are passed by the Catholic Church against the Jews in the Middle Ages 306 no eating with Jews 309 no marriage to Jews 681 burning the Talmud 1215 Jews had to wear badges 1267 ghettos were set up The Spanish Inquisition (1492) Protestant Reformation (1517) Luther, a former monk rejects the Jews after failing to convert to Protestantism. Let me give you my honest advice. First, their synagogues or churches should be set on fire, and whatever does not burn up should be covered or spread over so that no one may ever be able to see a cinder of it. And this ought to be done for the honor of God and Christianity.. Martin Luther,

5 Racial Antisemitism Antisemitism based on the belief that the Jews were a different race of people (Hebrews). Jews were seen as a people even in the period of enlightenment Darwin s theory of Evolution by Natural Selection is picked up by German social scientists Seen as evidence that Jews and others are underbeings. Justifies racial policy U.S. immigration policy would categorize Hebrew as a race Application What are some contemporary examples of Antisemitism? What type of Antisemitism does it seem to be? The is the most famous and widely distributed Antisemitic publication of modern times. Even though it has been repeatedly discredited, its lies continue to circulate today, especially on the Internet. The individuals and groups who have used the Protocols are all linked by a common purpose: to spread hatred of Jews. 5

6 The Protocols is a work of fiction, specifically written to blame Jews for many of the world s problems. Those who distribute it claim that it documents a Jewish conspiracy to control the world. The conspiracy and its alleged leaders, the so-called Elders of Zion, have never existed. Automaker Henry Ford published a series of articles based on the Protocols and distributed them free at his dealerships. Both Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels (the Nazi Minister of Propaganda) praised Ford for his actions. In 1921, the London Times presented conclusive proof that the Protocols was a "clumsy plagiarism." The Times confirmed that the Protocols had been copied in large part from a French political satire that never mentioned Jews -- Maurice Joly's Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu (1864). The U.S. Senate issued a report in 1964 declaring that the Protocols were "fabricated," and called the contents of the Protocols "gibberish." 6

7 Scapegoating Theory The term scapegoat comes from the biblical story of Aaron confessing all the sins of the children of Israel over the head of a goat, which was then sent into the wilderness symbolically bearing those sins. In group theory Scapegoating refers to the focusing of hostile, sadistic, and hurtful attention on one particular individual or group. Scapegoating increases when people are frustrated and seeking an outlet for their anger. Once cast as a scapegoat it can be difficult to shake off the classification. Iraqi Purge of Christians For 2000 years there have been Christians in what is now Iraq. But now, Iraqi Christians are being hunted, murdered and forced to flee -- persecuted on a biblical scale in Iraq's religious civil war. The vicar of Baghdad, Reverend Canon Andrew White, is an Anglican chaplain who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is determined to save the last Iraqi Christians from the purge. Before the war, it's estimated there were about a million Christians in Iraq. Few are left, as most have fled or have been killed. "It's happening because religion has gone wrong. And when religion goes wrong, it kills others." Reverend Canon Andrew White 7