Zulk-Dharma
Member
I asked some of my German friends and they kept using the term "Jude" for nationalism.
Is it antisemitic or fine?
Is it antisemitic or fine?
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Is it antisemitic to use the term "Jew" as a synonym for "Nationalist" or is it fine?
- Thread starter Zulk-Dharma
- Start date
IMO Nationalism is inherently misguided, so I call it antisemitic.
Zulk-Dharma
Member
No, they weren't Jewish. I think I'm friends with anti-Jews who think Jew or Jude are greedy, patriotic and therefore uses that term for regular mentions of Nationalist.I can't see how Jew or Jude means Nationalist
It's like creating new definitions all around.
I'm betting they weren't German Jewish friends?
Sees
Dragonslayer
Has that feel to it...like many other slurs and insults.
Zulk-Dharma
Member
This was one of the reasons that inspired me writing a poem called "The Jew."
Sees
Dragonslayer
If it has to do with their interpretation - please don't share lol
Zulk-Dharma
Member
Alright, don't click here.
When you say Nationalist are you specifically referring to Israel as a 'Jewish' nation in terms of it's ethnicity?
Generally I wouldn't because it ties such a close link between ethnicity as a basis for nationhood and as such has racist connotations regardless as to whether it is used favorably or unfavorably. I would use the term 'Israel' to describe the territory of a nation state, and 'Jewish' to refer to the religion. I would ignore the ethnicity entirely, in much the same way British or French means 'living in Britain or France' rather than of 'British Decent' or 'French Decent'. it's not something that's come up before.
Generally I wouldn't because it ties such a close link between ethnicity as a basis for nationhood and as such has racist connotations regardless as to whether it is used favorably or unfavorably. I would use the term 'Israel' to describe the territory of a nation state, and 'Jewish' to refer to the religion. I would ignore the ethnicity entirely, in much the same way British or French means 'living in Britain or France' rather than of 'British Decent' or 'French Decent'. it's not something that's come up before.
Zulk-Dharma
Member
Yes and I agree. No one says that I am a "German of African decent," since we all evolved from there - it's in itself nationalism to say you're Jewish just because of your ancestry, but otherwise have no connection to Judaism or Israel.
Exactly. The concept can be so stretched that it becomes meaningless. most "Americans" were from Europe or Africa or Asia only two to three hundred years ago. Then the "Native Americans" are supposed to have migrated from Asia thousands of years ago.
(Edit: Equating "Jewish" with "Israeli" appears to be a peculiar case because of the way it's national identity is derived from the experience of the holocaust).
Zulk-Dharma
Member
What?
roger1440
I do stuff
My guess would be it would depend on the intent. Words alone are harmless. It's how they are used that gives them power.
Are they speaking English?
What did you ask them?
Why are they your friends if they are unapologetic bigots, which is what it sounds like. Of course, I don't have much information to go on. Maybe I am misunderstanding some linguistic thing.
Tom
Flankerl
Well-Known Member
Yeah that was pretty much my reaction to this thread.
Care to be a bit less cryptic?
Zulk-Dharma
Member
Why are Jews always this cryptic? I don't understand a word out of them.
Servant_of_the_One1
Well-Known Member
No its not antisemitism.
Flankerl
Well-Known Member
Great answer.