roots of modern racism History

Introduction

Almost 80 of all Jews now live in Israel and the United States , with most of them in situations of relative material comfort , social security , and political representation (Spero , 2000 . The period from 1948 until the current time is unique for this religious grouping of world society , for it has suffered at the hands of its fellow men throughout the annals of history . The world population numbers of Jews has not yet reached pre World War II levels , half a century after the Holocaust in which 6 million lost their lives

(Spero , 2000

This document examines the similarities and the differences between anti-Judaism , anti-Semitic sentiments , and the Holocaust , before seeking secular conclusions about the route to universal , true , and full religious freedom

Common Abuse

The persecution of Jews has long and numerous historical ties predominantly driven by its philosophical links with other religions with which it has common roots . The grouping of believers in the Old Testament and its derivatives has been a reason for discrimination in various forms by devout bands of Christians and Muslims in equal proportions , if in different forms (Spero , 2000 . Persecution has ranged from theological differences to blatant attempts at genocide . These are the essential differences between anti-Judaism , anti-Semitic sentiments and the Holocaust . However , the commonality of hatred of Jews is overwhelming in all these streams of thought and action . Anti-Judaism anti-Semitic thoughts , and the Holocaust , may also be seen as a continuum , with each of the first two phases potentially leading to the third . The expulsion of Jews from the Muslim Spain of the 15th century may be viewed as a form of the Holocaust , in this context

Megalomania

The holocaust during the days of Nazi power in Germany was a terrible culmination of decades of hatred for Jews by many world communities (Spero , 2000 . The holocaust stands out from other instances of persecution of Jews by its direct barbarity and by the sheer weight of its more than 6 million victims (Spero , 2000 . It was a systematic effort to exterminate entire generations of a people , not for what they had done , but for who they were (Spero , 2000 . The crazed action of Hitler amounted to a biological form of racism . Similar acts have taken place in Central Europe and parts of Africa decades after the extinction of Hitler , pointing to the fact that extreme forms of racism , with intentions of genocide have not been obliterated as yet . Powerful reminders of the horrors of the Holocaust , and its deep understanding by today 's generation , and by our descendants , are therefore important safeguards against repetition of such crimes against sections of humanity

Racism

Biblical anointing of the Jews as a chosen people with exceptional rights to a land of their own (Spero , 2000 , is the most concrete bases for anti-Semitic sentiments . However , this core has been unfortunately embellished in to incitements to hate and to persecute Jews in extreme ways . Modern forms of anti-Semitism are violent , resistant to reason and romising . Such opposition has...