Today in Europe, the attitude towards Jews may have changed, but questions remain about the beliefs and attitudes of many towards Jews. Antisemitism is a persistent belief that is very difficult to eliminate. The world war and its consequences may have affected attitudes towards Jews, but anti-Semitic beliefs may still persist.
Introduction
This started out as an article examining whether prejudice still occurs against Jews in Germany and Europe today, despite years of coming to terms with the Holocaust. However, recent events in Charleston, South Carolina forced a rethink about this article’s purpose. I decided to broaden the scope to ask what is prejudice and racism and what guidance can we find in the Bible about these issues in our day-to-day lives.
In June 2015, a man wearing a concealed weapon entered the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston and joined a Bible class. After sitting with the group for about an hour, he gunned down nine unsuspecting Bible class attendees. It turned out this man was a white supremacist with a hatred for African-Americans. The contrast between discussing the Bible and the mass-murder is so striking. Apparently, reading and discussing the Bible was no guarantee of preventing this heinous act. This man had nurtured a prejudice that began with words and thoughts and ended with an act of violence. This crime was seen as an act intended to strike fear into African-Americans and to assert “white supremacy”.
This event in South Carolina against African-Americans and similar events recently occurring in France against Jews raises so many questions. Why does prejudice persist? What exactly is prejudice and how do seemingly normal people develop a prejudice against other people or groups? What guidance can we find in Scripture about this? Clearly, it has no place in the Christadelphian community, but it is subtly makes it difficult to spot, let alone challenge. Jeremiah the prophet observing the human condition wrote:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer 17:9).
Prejudice is so stubbornly persistent and its most persistent target down through the ages since the time of Christ has been against Jews, although, of course, not exclusively. Minorities in every country seem to be targets, but the most vitriol hatred seems to have been reserved for Jews. Each generation has seen yet another resurgence of anti-Semitism. There are attacks against African-Americans by white supremacist in the United States, by Islamic Extremists in the Middle East, and Jews being targeted in France and elsewhere. Are we entering a new century of bigotry and prejudice? All these events forced me to try to really understand prejudice and understand why it is so persistent.
The nature of prejudice
Horrific acts of racism seem so foreign to us. We read about them in history books or learn about them in the news media. Yet, these acts are the extreme end of a continuum that begins in written or spoken words about other peoples or groups.
In his groundbreaking book, The Nature of Prejudice published in 1954, Gordon Willard All port came to a number of important conclusions about prejudice based on his experiences of working with refugees, including Jewish refugees, during and after World War II. All port defined prejudice as
“[a] hostile attitude toward a person who belongs to a group, simply because he [or she] belongs to that group, and is therefore presumed to have the objectionable qualities ascribed to the group.”
In its briefest form, All port defined prejudice as “thinking ill of others without sufficient warrant.”
Categorization is inevitable
Categorization is a natural human behavior as it helps us quickly classify something encountered. It helps us in our daily life as it is based on a belief of a high probably of something occurring. We see a Pit Bull, for example, a breed known to attack humans, although in fact other breeds may actually attack more frequently. Nevertheless, we prepare to defend ourselves because we believe these dogs attack humans. This belief leads to the categorization of Pit Bulls as dangerous and to be avoided.
The philosopher Bertrand Russell asserted that open-mindedness is not really possible because we are quick to put anything into a category. “A mind perpetually open will be a mind perpetually vacant.” Categorization is a necessary part of managing the complexities of life. However, there are rational and irrational categorizations. A rational categorization requires considerable knowledge. Apples are fruits and they are edible. When we are in a forest and see the fruit of a bush we do not recognize, we are oft to categorize this fruit as poisonous and deadly. Although we need evidence to justify this categorization, we base our initial belief on a categorization that unknown fruits are not to be eaten.
To take an absurd example, imagine we have been repeatedly told that people wearing blue shirts are greedy, money-grubbing liars, secretive, keep to themselves, emotional and prone to violent outbursts. Where is the evidence? It is only in our belief that it is so. In reality, the color of a shirt has very little to do with a person’s personality. It is an irrational categorization based entirely on an irrelevant factor. Now, imagine we have been told that people wearing yellow shirts, are generous, selfless, intelligent, peaceful and kind. Again, we believe these attributes of blue and yellow shirted people. Therefore, when we encounter a person wearing either a blue or yellow shirt, our beliefs will affect our attitudes towards that person.
Prejudice involves both belief and attitude
Prejudice involves both a belief and an attitude. A negative attitude towards another person or group can only be sustained through a belief. The attitude can only be changed through a change of beliefs. The problem is that beliefs are very persistent and very difficult to change.
Consider a person holding a prejudicial attitude towards Jews. An often-cited cause of this prejudice is the belief that Jews take care only of themselves, they only think of money, are devious and keep to themselves. Add to this the ancient notion that the Jews are personally responsible for the death of Jesus Christ and a toxic, persistent anti-Semitism is the result. There are many reasons for the persistence of anti-Semitism, but a significant factor has been an enforced separation throughout history between Jews and non-Jews, usually by a Christian majority. Another more potent and deadly reason has been a need for a convenient scapegoat for societal ills. This has resulted in a subtle hostility towards the Jews who were perceived to be “outsiders”, which they literally were, due to their enforced isolation. To add to their discrimination, Jews were objects of ridicule and hostility. From time to time this prejudice erupted into violence and purges where Jews had to leave to find new homes for themselves. As the history of the Jews shows, prejudice can be forced to be held in check by laws or culture norms, but the beliefs and attitudes can persist awaiting the next opportunity to express itself.
Allport’s prejudice scale
Allport developed a scale of prejudice that, given the opportunities can lead to outright genocide. “Barking does not always lead to biting, but there is no biting without first barking”:
Antilocution (Speech): This is a passive behavior that is a type of speech, usually in the form of jokes and negative stereotypes about a particular group. It is usually shared amongst groups of like-minded people, and sometimes this is far as it is taken. Surprisingly, it is often seen as just harmless fun, but the more spontaneous and irrelevant the comment, the stronger the hostility behind it. This speech can take on more sinister forms when, for example, the word “Jude” was painted on storefront windows in Nazi Germany. In all cases, this speech is targeted against an out-group (usually a minority) with the intent to assert the superiority of the in-group (usually a majority).
Avoidance: This is also a passive behavior but it is more intense and directed at specific individuals. A decision is made to avoid dealing with or even communicating with a member of a particular group. No direct harm is made or sometimes even intended, but the isolation has the effect of enforcing an in-group and an out-group division. Surprisingly, often the avoider believes he or she is taking on the hard task of avoiding the out-group so as not to inflict harm. For example, in Nazi Germany a shopper simply avoided shopping at a store with the word “Jude” on the window so as not to “cause harm” to the Jewish shop owner. However, this resulted in the bankruptcy of the business and real harm to the owner.
Discrimination: Prejudice can become an active part of society based on a group decision, usually in the form of laws or norms. This is the active removal of an “out-group” from the normal activities of the “in-group”, or society. Through preventative action, an out-group is excluded and actively prevented from participating normally in life. In Nazi Germany, Jews were systematically excluded from associations and groups until they were excluded from all forms of normal life. Segregation in the United States achieved the same effect by circumscribing where African-Americans could live, work, shop, and eat and so forth. In all cases, it was a form of hostility and caused real harm, although not physical harm, to the individuals discriminated against.
Physical Attack: Active prejudice becomes menacing when it leads to the destruction of property or personal harm. It is often random but can sometimes be organized by in-group members who are emotionally worked up to do the attacks. For example, the infamous “Kristalnacht” in 1933, which led to the smashing of windows of Jewish store owners in German, served to threaten and create fear. This act gave the more timid amongst the in-group a license to attack and in some cases, murder Jews.
Extermination: This is the extreme end of prejudice. When an attempt is made through any means to eliminate an out-group, it is called genocide. Sadly, history is littered with these atrocities. The “Final Solution” to the “Jewish Problem” in Nazi Germany is, of course, the most well-known modern example, but sadly not the only one.
Prejudice and racism is a sad and persistent part of the human condition. It is based, however, entirely on beliefs that work themselves out in attitudes. It begins in speech and ends in destruction and crimes against humanity. One would expect the godless to hold prejudicial beliefs and attitudes, but as we will see later, even the closest friends of Jesus would become racist and prejudiced. Like many other evils, the deceitful heart can twist reason and emotions and do great harm to even our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We now turn to our main theme, which is of the Jews in Germany today. The current state of Jewish life in Germany and Europe
Through my Jewish friends here in Berlin, I have learned about the current state of Jewish life in Europe, and in particular Germany and Berlin. I feel particularly grateful that I have been privy to an inside look at Jewish life. It is especially poignant because many of these people are direct descendants of Holocaust survivors, sometimes even witnessing the horrors first-hand. Even after 70 years, the emotions are still very raw for them. So, they know firsthand the effects of anti-Semitism and are very sensitive when it makes an appearance in the press, on the street, in the courts of law and in the government.
I was invited to present the Christadelphian beliefs to a group composed of both Jews and Christians here in Berlin. I received a sympathetic hearing and they were surprised to learn that the Christadelphians commented negatively about the National Socialist government from at least 19251. They also learned that from the mid-1800’s our community were strong supporters of Jewish immigration to Israel and still support Israelis today with clothing drives and other efforts.
Later, I was invited to attend a synagogue service. This was quite an experience. I was offered a place near the front, and after been given a Kappa to wear I listened intently as the service proceeded. It was in Hebrew but an English translation was available. The theme for the Sabbath service was the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem. A heart-felt desire for it to be restored was palpable amongst the attendees. I was invited to join what I think was a Hakafot, a circular dance, which was quite an experience and an honor to be asked to join in. Many distinguished quests were in attendance, as the chief rabbi of Jerusalem was in Berlin at that time. I was struck by the optimism and hopefulness of the service. This was even more poignant as I could not help but realize that this very synagogue was the site of rioting and destruction on Kristalnacht in 1933.
Life is as good as it has been for over a century
Relatively speaking, life for Germany’s Jews is better, for the most part, than it was from the time of Bismarck in the 1870’s to the Holocaust and World War Two. Of course, the number of Jews living here has been greatly diminished. In 1946, the only Jews living in Berlin were those few who emerged out of hiding. Today approximately 30,0002 Jews live in Berlin. This seems like a large number, but it a vastly diminished number from a pre-war high of about 160,0003.
Berlin has the fastest growing population of Jews in Europe. It has a thriving Jewish community and many synagogues and Jewish centers have been rebuilt. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra has recently elected its first Jewish conductor. Berlin has, in fact, three Jewish conductors. The nine-branched Menorah is regularly placed in front of the Brandenburg Gate each year during Hanukkah. The Jewish museum of Berlin is very popular and many Jews are thriving both socially and in business. This has much to do with the groundwork of North American and other Jews moving here, and has been augmented by hundreds of Russian Jews choosing to make Berlin their home. Even young Israelis are moving to Berlin for its social life. Some tension does exist between the older Jewish community and the new Russian immigrants, but the community is thriving nonetheless.
State and Federal laws protect the Jewish community in Germany, and there is an active police presence at all Jewish centers and synagogues. (Israeli guards and security agents are also present). The Central Jewish Committee is the official voice of the Jews of Germany. It actively promotes its causes and will take a forceful stand against anti-Semitism in all its forms and demand action by the relevant German governments at all levels. It also supports Holocaust education in schools.
The Stolpersteine
A way for many Germans to appreciate and remember the lives lost to the holocaust is the Stolpersteine4(Stumbling Stone). These are brass covered concrete cubes placed in the pavement in front of homes where Jewish residents were taken away to concentration camps and death. Recently, a very elderly Jew from Canada and his children came to Berlin to witness the placing of a Stolpersteine in front of the home where his parents had lived before they were deported to a concentration camp and death. German young people who lived in the house came out to witness the laying of this Stolpersteine. They seemed genuinely moved by the event. This Stolpersteine now serves as the family’s memorial for their lost parents and grandparents.
Rumblings of anti-Semitisms
Yet, the Jewish community can hear rumblings of a resurgence of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic remarks are often not recognized by the non-Jewish society, as I learned the hard way when I was boy. I clearly recall being scolded by my mother after saying that the candy storeowner “Jewed” me. And this was the 1960’s Canada. As time passes, the Holocaust is slowly becoming only an historical event, and something that is taught only in schools. The Jews are no longer “a homeless people” but have a state to call their own — Israel. It is still taboo in Germany to criticize a Jew, but it is becoming increasingly seen as acceptable to criticize Israel. Hence, anti-Semitism has been made socially acceptable by applying anti-Semitic language to a state rather than to an individual. “We are criticizing Israel not Jews”, but the underlying circumlocution can hide anti-Semitism. Significantly, part of the definition of anti-Semitism used by the European Union includes “such manifestations [of anti-Semitism] could also target the state of Israel, [which is] conceived as a Jewish collectivity.”5
Threats from Radical Islam and Neo-Nazis
Not much needs to be said about the rise of radical Islam and its associated anti-Semitism in Europe. This threat is well known. Recent terrorist events in France show how it has caused real worry for the Jewish community and, of course, the security agencies. Recently, the Central Jewish Committee advised Jews to not wear outwardly Jewish symbols in Muslim areas of German cities to avoid provocation, something that was unthinkable even five years ago.6 It has caused a revival in an interest in Aliyah, a “return to Israel”, for many European Jews, although not significantly from Germany’s Jews 7
As for the Neo-Nazis, these groups are a continual threat to the German state and for German Jews. In fact, according to a government report, attacks against Jewish targets in Germany by Neo-Nazis exceeded those by extremist Muslims during the reported year (2013). A more disturbing aspect of the report was the lack of intervention by the public to come to the aid of the victims of the attacks. Nevertheless, this amounts to approximately 2,500 anti-Semitic attacks against persons and property in 2013, despite the best efforts of the authorities to prevent it. 8
Secondary anti-Semitism
Another problem in recent years is quite surprising. It is called “secondary anti-Semitism” and comes from segments of academia and the professional classes. These are the opinion makers or “intellergencia” of Germany who are often left leaning or Liberal. Recently, the Times of Israel reported that the German press used “perceived anti-Semitic stereotypes” about the new Jewish conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Kirill Petrenko.9Aside from the fact that is caused the conductor to stop taking interviews from the German press, it showed an ignorance of anti-Semitic language from those who should know better — the well-educated elites of the German press. There is no point repeating the offending phrases here.
This form of anti-Semitism is not specifically targeted against the Jews of Germany but against the State of Israel, which is seen as a “Jewish collectivity.” During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the Left and Liberals saw the Jew romantically as “Nathan the Wise”.10In this romanticized view, the Jew was transformed by the concentration camp experience into the wise and tolerant character of Lessing’s novel of the same name. Now the Left has adopted the Palestinian cause and in turn sees the Jew, in the form of the Jewish state, as “The Oppressor”. This idealized love of “Nathan the Wise” has so quickly turned into an irrational hate. Hence, this new anti-Semitism, a “secondary anti-Semitism” has emerged out of a segment of German society that was once Israel’s strongest supporters. Surprisingly, the average German understands the taboo of anti-Semitism, while the Conservative German leadership is now one of the strongest supporters of Israel.
As my Jewish friends have told me, it is not that the Jewish community is closed to entertaining criticism of Israel when it is factual and fair. However, this new anti-Semitism is seen as a knee-jerk support of the Palestinians and a view of Israel that echoes the Left’s former criticism of the National Socialists. Further, it is that a general belief amongst the German Jewish community that Germany lost its moral right to criticize Israel due to its responsibility for the Holocaust. Most Germans had accepted this belief for many years, but with the passing of time, the intellergencia are feeling free to openly criticize Israel and unfortunately are wandering into dangerous anti-Semitic territory.
- The Christadelphian, 1925 p. 451.
- http://www.jewishjournal.com/travel/article/rebirth_of_jewish_life_in_berlin_20120605.
- http://www.ushmm.org/. United States Holocaust Memorial Website.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolperstein. Translated Stumbling Block, these brass plaques are placed only at the approval of the family of the deceased Jew and the owner of the house or building where the deceased Jew lived. Currently, there are over 20,000 Stolperstein in place across Europe.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism.
- http://www.n-tv.de/ticker/Zentralrat-der-Juden-warnt-vor-Tragen-der-Kippa-in-Problemvierteln-article14597936.html.
- http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/feb/05/is-there-really-a-jewish-exodusfrom-western-europe.
- http://www. i24news.tv /en /news/ international /europe /64386-150315- neo -nazi-attackson-german -jews-far-outnumber-those-by-islamists.
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/berlins-new-jewish-conductor-faces-anti-semitic-germanpress/.
- Based on a play by the German playwrights Lessing, whose character Nathan the Wise demonstrated “friendship, tolerance, relativism of God, a rejection of miracles and a need for communication.” This phrase still appears in the German press.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One