Anti-Semitism: An Anachronism

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the development and history of anti-Semitism, noting that the clear thesis against the Jews has always been their ostensibly foreign, alien, and threatening attributes. The paper specifically addresses the anti-Semetic myths that have developed over time, how the arguments that support these myths manifest themselves, the common negative themes associated with the Jews that are used to support these arguments, and how they adapt to new cultural and social developments. The paper maintains that the basis of anti-Semitism lies on nothing more than myth; no matter how compelling or seemingly plausible anti-Semites arguments may appear, they all originate from the same superstitious and anachronistic source.

From the Paper:

"Throughout the course of human history, there has been a consistent tendency in many cultures to blame and vilify ethnic, religious, and cultural minorities through fictitious and irrational, yet popular, beliefs for the purpose provoking civil strife, dissension, and hate-crimes. The use of these irrational and false claims propagates and fuels myths that encourage prejudice and disparagement. The myths are seeds of hatred that can fit many circumstances and be used to make further unfounded claims; untruth begets injustice. The Jewish people have borne an enormous amount of myth-based prejudice and slander going back hundreds of years, prejudices that withstood the developments of the Enlightenment-age and rationalism. In anti-Semitism lies an innate anachronism; anti-Semitism is outdated and medieval in our perceived enlightened and modern times, yet that understanding does little to shed its potency and allure, which continues to hold sway over many people. Rationalism should provide evidence enough for anti-Semitism's absurdity, yet to many it makes no difference. As long as people continue to propagate archaic, anachronistic ideas, then these ideas will hold influence, adapt to and utilize developments of their time - using eugenics to justify anti-Semitism, for example - and spread ignorance and hate. The basis of anti-Semitism lies on nothing more than myth; no matter how compelling or seemingly plausible anti-Semites arguments may appear, they all originate from the same superstitious and anachronistic source. How do these arguments manifest themselves? What are the common negative themes associated with the Jews that are used to support these arguments, and how do they adapt to new cultural, social, and other developments?"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Adler, H. G. Jews in Germany. New York: University of Notre Dame P, 1970.
• Chamberlain, Houston Stewart. Foundations of the Nineteenth Century With an introduction by Lord Redesdale. Accessed: 28 Mar. 2009. <http://www.hschamberlain.net/grundlagen/division2_chapter5.html>
• Frassetto, Michael. "Heretics and Jews in the Writings of Ademar of Chabannes and the Origins of Medieval Anti-Semitism." Church History 71.1 (Mar. 2002): 1. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Smith Library Center, Georegtown, TX. 27 Mar. 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,url,cookie,u &db=a9h&AN=6599550&loginpage=login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site>.
• Helfer, Martha B. "Reading Blood in Annette von Droste-Huelshoffs Die Judenbuche." The German Quarterly 71 (1998): 228-53.
• Herzl, Theodor. The Jewish State. New York: Dover Publications.

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