Theory of Fundamentalist Antisemitism
The Theory of Fundamentalist anti-Semitism matured in the 1970's. The theory is a total fabrication designed and/or used to slander Christian Fundamentalist evangelicals by various liberal thinkers and organizations.
| “ | "Fundamentalist anti-Semitism"...has been passed down from mentor to student throughout the twentieth century. It has been repeated by historians and theologians alike. It is a straw man in the profession of history that must be destroyed if accuracy and honesty are to be pursued. Because it has become such a vital part in historical narrative, its demise will certainly be painful. ...if it is allowed to continue, the distortion of factual material will infect a new generation of scholars with an old generation's handicap.[1] | ” |
The theory
It was shockingly expressed by Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, President of the American Union of Hebrew Congregations, in a letter to other reform Jewish leaders quoted in a June 1976 issue of Time magazine: "historically, anti-Semitism had its roots in fundamentalist religion."[2] This theory received further support from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (then named National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC)). In their "Joint Program Plan 1975-1976" it is implied that a literal interpretation of the Bible engenders "negative images of Jews and Judaism"[1]. According to the Church studies and Judaic scholar David A. Rausch, Liberal Protestant clergy associations have encouraged this view.[1] Such liberal Christian organizations "issue declarations against Evangelicals as if Judaism's existence depended on silencing all evangelism."[1] David A. Rausch points out that even University of Chicago theologian Martin E. Marty has promoted this view: "[Evangelicals domestically] have often tended toward anti-Semitism, while mainline and liberal Protestans [are] not known for anti-Semitism 'next door.'" Professor Marty goes on to dogmatically claim that peer-reviewed studies show that the more fundamentalist views a Christian holds, the more anti-Semitic he or she becomes.[3] In his book American Protestantism and a Jewish State (1973) Hertzel Fishman provides a historical analysis of Christian Century sharply contradicting Martin E. Marty's "peer-reviewed studies." Fishman found that "Liberal Protestanism consistently and historically opposed a Jewish State in Palestine, obstructed immigration of Jewish refugees, minimized the Holocaust, tried to reduce Israel's boundaries and supported Arab 'rights'."[1]
The reality
Fundamentalism is closedly tied to millennialism theology, which has been Zionistic all along: before and after the creation of modern Israel. The reality is that Liberal Protestanism has long been anti-semitic since its foundations in 19th century German theology. It remains so today, opposing Israel and promoting Arab rights. Former president Jimmy Carter is simply an American figurehead for this long standing Protestant sin.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Zionism Within Early American Fundamentalism 1878-1918: A Convergence of Two Traditions, David A. Rausch, Edwin Mellen Press, 1979, ISBN 9-88946-875-3, ISBN 0-88946-976-8, page 1,2, 27
- ↑ "CARTER AND THE JEWS" Time magazine Monday, Jun. 21, 1976
- ↑ "Jimmy Carter is an Evangelical!", Martin E. Marty, Moment, September 1976, pp. 9-12; 60
