How to confront Catholic antisemitism?

[Annie]

While I generally agree with your statement, I would note that Jewish people who have parents and grands who lived through WWII were taught to watch very carefully for signs of anti-Semitism.

I did not in any way mean to reduce the impact of anti-Semitic actions or speech, and I think that showing that one deplores such things, as you and your community did by attending the vigil, was a very good response.

I just thought that gracepoole had not started the conversation she wanted to begin in the most effective way.

 

[gracepoole]

I actually said…

We’re clearly dealing with a global upsurge in antisemitic speech and activity, and recently I’ve become aware of how prevalent antisemitism is among some Catholics on platforms like Twitter. To be frank, it’s horrifying.

Unless someone can read through and disprove the FBI reports, for example, my statement about a general upsurge are most definitely accurate. Some Jews are leaving European countries because they see and experience antisemitism. As I mentioned, we’re experiencing it right in my own community.

I then said I’d noticed antisemitism among “some Catholics.” Again, accurate, and I provided examples. And yes, ALL antisemitism is horrifying.

I’m honestly not sure why it’s so difficult for people to see what those trained to look for have seen. You mentioned the Holocaust. That event didn’t happen overnight. It was the culmination of both centuries of “the longest hatred” and years of violent actions against Jews and their property and houses of worship.

If nothing else, I think this thread demonstrates the lack of education some people have about history — the long whole of history, not simply culminating events. There’s been a focus here on why I would offer such bold claims — and I’ve explained why. I think what’s more important is why some struggle to read warning signs when highlighted by those who have been tasked with identifying them.

 

[goout]

Please just be clear, specific, and concise when you are bringing forth any topic that casts a group of people in a difficult light.

 

[gracepoole]

Please just be clear, specific, and concise when you are bringing forth any topic that casts a group of people in a difficult light.

I have been. Some continue to read what they want to into my comments and there isn’t much I can do about that.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I think what’s more important is why some struggle to read warning signs when highlighted by those who have been tasked with identifying them.

My response here is only about USA. I’m not in a position to address what happens in Europe and it’s highly country-specific.

Regarding USA, I think a lot of people here have a significant distrust in the government, media, and “watchdog” organizations to give us a clear picture of what’s going on. Many people don’t trust this administration and/or don’t trust the FBI, which has suffered reputational damage ever since the last election. I myself am not so concerned with the politics, but I have a jaundiced view of the FBI for reasons going back to my youth and I take whatever they’re on about with a grain of salt. The Anti-Defamation League ruined their rep with me when they made a fuss about Pepe the frog, and we all know the Southern Poverty Law Center has lost most of its credibility. I currently have a Jewish friend who is well-connected to what’s actually going on and I count on her to connect me and all our other friends to reliable sources.

I also think there are so many groups nowadays claiming oppression, and so many political groups trying to capitalize on that, that it’s become like the proverbial boy who cried wolf. A whole lot of people have been bombarded with too much noise and have just turned their hearing aids off as a result.

 

[Annie]

accurate, and I provided examples.

If you wanted to discuss anti-Semitism among Catholics, all the other statistics were not relevant.

Additionally, you wrote as if there was an enormous anti-Semitic sentiment among a very large percentage of Catholics when you asked about various solutions.

The fact that there are some few self-proclaimed Catholics saying anti-Semitic things online is not evidence of a large movement in Catholicism.

The problem is that if you present an overblown case and ask people for suggestions on how to deal with it, you will get pushback simply because you have presented an overblown case.

I’m not trying to argue with you about the evil of anti-Semitism, just saying that you didn’t get the conversation you wanted because of how you presented your topic.

 

[Zach]

There will always be push back by at least some within any defined group when there are negative things being said about them. Go on a Islamic forum and bring up anti-Semitism of Muslims or a Jewish forum and bring up anti-christianity of Jews and if the forum would even allow it there will be push back. You can’t really expect going on any forum and point out the faults of people the forum caters to and not get push back. There will always be people who interpret it as virtue signalling, holier than thou, trolling, or guilt tripping. I’m not saying this is the case with the OP just that some will interpret it that way.

 

[Annie]

You can’t really expect going on any forum and point out the faults of people the forum caters to and not get push back. There will always be people who interpret it as virtue signalling, holier than thou, trolling, or guilt tripping. I’m not saying this is the case with the OP just that some will interpret it that way.

Well, that’s odd. I certainly did not even think about virtue signaling when I read the OP and her subsequent posts, and I do not think that every introduction of that type of topic will lead to defensiveness.

For example: I have noticed an upswing in anti-Semitism in the world and in the US, but what really bothers me is that I see people who describe themselves as Catholics saying anti-Semitic things, for example, [these tweets], and even some Catholic bloggers such as X, Y, and Z (possibly including brief quotes).

What would you all suggest as solutions for dealing with this ugly strain among some Catholics? Prayer, always, but should I get into discussion with these people? Try to contact the bishops of the bloggers? Or anything else?

I teach the history of the Holocaust so this is something close to my heart.

Assuming that your readers are decent people is always a good place to start

 

[EndTimes]

Go on a Islamic forum and bring up anti-Semitism of Muslims or a Jewish forum and bring up anti-christianity of Jews and if the forum would even allow it there will be push back.

And the thing is… mere say-so even with say-so agreements from a Few - doesn’t make it so.

Without clear and specific evidences - it’s insulting .

 

[Autumn-Smoke]

I found this online from a Jewish point of view, and I’d be interested to know if there are other books/publications, especially from a Catholic point of view, that can refute basic antisemitic beliefs, using historical facts and the scripture, plus actual church teaching on these topics.

https://www.thejc.com/news/news-fea...antisemitism-the-truth-and-the-myths-1.450112

 

[gracepoole]

gracepoole:

accurate, and I provided examples.

Additionally, you wrote as if there was an enormous anti-Semitic sentiment among a very large percentage of Catholics when you asked about various solutions.

Except I didn’t. Again, you’re reading into my comments what you like. I’ve clarified this multiple times throughout the thread. I did not claim there’s some enormous cabal of antisemitic Catholics.

 

[gracepoole]

Zach:

Go on a Islamic forum and bring up anti-Semitism of Muslims or a Jewish forum and bring up anti-christianity of Jews and if the forum would even allow it there will be push back.

And the thing is… mere say-so even with say-so agreements from a Few - doesn’t make it so.

Without clear and specific evidences - it’s insulting .

You’re insulted by the mere idea that some Catholics may be prejudiced? Do you really think your fellow Catholics are perfect?

Your resistance to this is baffling.

 

[gracepoole]

There will always be push back by at least some within any defined group when there are negative things being said about them. Go on a Islamic forum and bring up anti-Semitism of Muslims or a Jewish forum and bring up anti-christianity of Jews and if the forum would even allow it there will be push back. You can’t really expect going on any forum and point out the faults of people the forum caters to and not get push back. There will always be people who interpret it as virtue signalling, holier than thou, trolling, or guilt tripping. I’m not saying this is the case with the OP just that some will interpret it that way.

You may be right. How unbelievably sad — how are we to deal with internal problems in our own faith with this kind or attitude?

 

[littlebird]

Do Catholics have to confront or respond to everything ?

Anyone can say anything in these times.

You dont even know if people on Twitter that say they are Catholic are actually Catholic.

 

[gracepoole]

Do Catholics have to confront or respond to everything ?

Anyone can say anything in these times.

You dont even know if people on Twitter that say they are Catholic are actually Catholic.

Not responding is definitely one approach to my original question.

As for whether these people are “really” Catholics, I assure you they are. You don’t have to believe that but you can look into their accounts for yourself if you like.

 

[littlebird]

Is “the approach” of not responding possible ?

 

[gracepoole]

Is “the approach” of not responding possible ?

I’m not sure I understand you. I asked how we should respond when we see antisemitism among Catholics. Certainly not responding at all is one option.

 

[littlebird]

Yeah, I was simply suggesting that we do not have to respond.

 

[Annie]

Except I didn’t. Again, you’re reading into my comments what you like. I’ve clarified this multiple times throughout the thread. I did not claim there’s some enormous cabal of antisemitic Catholics.

Why would you suggest a solution on the diocesan level if this weren’t a really large problem?

Why associate Catholic anti-Semitism with articles which imply a very large problem of anti-Semitism?

Why describe the problem as you did: horrifying, something that ALL Catholics should be talking about/

These are the things you did which I think caused people to react in a way other than the way you were hoping for.

 

[Annie]

Go on a Islamic forum and bring up anti-Semitism of Muslims or a Jewish forum and bring up anti-christianity of Jews and if the forum would even allow it there will be push back.

You may be right. How unbelievably sad — how are we to deal with internal problems in our own faith with this kind or attitude?

Yes, if you imply that all the people on the forum have a fault which they do not all have, then, yeah, you will get pushback.

If you imply that a fault runs a lot more broadly in a group than it actually does, then you will get pushback.