325AD: "The Council of Nicaea decided to separate the celebration of Easter from the Jewish Passover. They stated: "For it is unbecoming beyond measure that on this holiest of festivals we should follow the customs of the Jews. Henceforth let us have nothing in common with this odious people...We ought not, therefore, to have anything in common with the Jews...our worship follows a...more convenient course...we desire dearest brethren, to separate ourselves from the detestable company of the Jews...How, then, could we follow these Jews, who are almost certainly blinded.""

"415AD: St. Augustine wrote "The true image of the Hebrew is Judas Iscariot, who sells the Lord for silver. The Jew can never understand the Scriptures and forever will bear the guilt for the death of Jesus"

I am interested in tracing the roots of antisemitism. It is such an irony; Christ was a Jew, he brought a message steeped in Jewish beliefs and theology and most of the early Christians were Jewish and in some instances worshiped in the synagogue. How to we get from what the Gospels have to say to full blown hatred for Jews which lasts even to this day. It is interesting to note that the Koran canonizes this hatred and is supported in this by other important Muslim source called the hadiths.

Alf: Interesting post and interesting timing, as I am in the middle of reading the book 'god is not Great' by Christopher Hitchens, in which he makes some of the same points.

To what you already mentioned, as Christians we also worship the same God as the Jews (and the Muslims), we have adopted the Jewish scriptures as the 'Old Testament' in the Christian scriptures, and, in those churches which follow a liturgical tradition, the first half of the church's eucharistic liturgy is based on/derived from the liturgies of the synagogues around the time of Christ. It is indeed a shame that anti-semitism infiltrated Christianity and in some instances is still there.

Steve, better do some more research on Muslems. calledoutPTL

Steve: Does antisemitism exist despite the Gospels or as a result of them. Read the Gospel of John in particular? John 8:44 "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

The Jews were a huge pain in the but for the Romans.For a good number of decades they were in some form of revolt against their Roman masters. Did this dislike for the Jews carry over when the Roman Empire became officially "Christian"?

As for Christopher; he should probably do a study of the evolutionary significance of ideologies. In other words how are ideologies "survival strategies". Unfortunately he has not filtered out the Judeo-Christian influence on his rather western perspective on morality. Probably Martin Heidegger would have been a good read for him before he attempted to write his book.

As for Muslims believing in the same God; As children of Abraham they have certainly developed a different tradition from their Hebrew brothers. The Jews as i see it developed a tradition which allowed for the evolution of the concept of God. This tradition seems to have carried over to Christianity and therefore has made both Judaism and Christianity somewhat adaptable to the modern world. Islamic "theology" seems to be stuck in 6th century AD. The problem is that Mohammad is seen as the perfect character. Unfortunately from our western perspective on morality he would seem to have a rather unsavory personality; though i must remind myself that in the arbitrary [evolutionary] world of ethics any survival strategy is as good as another as long as the strategy works. Otherwise, of course, it would simply disappear in the competition between vying strategies.

JOhn 8:44 refers to Satan whom these particular people were following bu their actions and not to the Jewish religion. calldodutPTL

I believe they bring it upon themselves. Their arrogant attitudes and dealings with humanity is condescending to say the least.

I will also add that is in large part why the "christian faith" is so marginalized. True humility is a virtue that is for the most part non existent in churches.

I believe they bring it upon themselves. Their arrogant attitudes and dealings with humanity is condescending to say the least.--- So a person deserves what they get? What about you and me? We have different opinions and each of us thinks we are correct, do we have arrogant attitudes? Furthermore, the Jews go back farther in the word then Christians do. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His word still stands. Your generalizing the whole Jewish faith when it is an individual thing.

I will also add that is in large part why the "christian faith" is so marginalized. True humility is a virtue that is for the most part non existent in churches. - This statement is has truth to it. Many church who feels they are the OTVC have this attitude. calledoutPTL