Racism (1-40)

Summary: Racism has been used in a way that does not describe the negative effects it has on ethnic groups or people. Hitler made up racist theories as an excuse for his treatment of the Jews. Same as the South did with Blacks, and the Jim Crow laws. Racism reached its highest point in the 20th century. Throughout history there has been a rise, and decline in the use of racism, however it is not yet wiped out from the world.

Now, it has been noted that religion has been one of the factors contributing to the invention of racism. The Greeks, Romans and early Christians placed people in either civilized or barbarous categories. These categories depended on the place in which an individual lived. The Romans had slaves, which represented all the colors and nationalities found on frontiers. As of their time, it is not exact as to whether what they did was a form of hatred towards dark skin color.

There was definitely prejudice among religions, for example the Jews. The Jews became unpopular with the Christians, because they had a different belief, that the New Testament overruled the old. They refused to recognize Christ, as it prevented the accomplishment of the gospel. The Christians could not judge the Jews for what they practiced, however they were criticized for not converting to Christianity as it was among them. The Jews were blamed for the worst possible human crime. Anti-Judaism became so strong a hatred, that it was rather better to eradicate the Jews than to try converting them. The Jews were thought to be evil, instead of having been thought of as having false beliefs. Attacks towards the Jews, began as early as 1096 during the First Crusade. Even though the Jews seemed to be quite useful, and harmless they were still viewed as a military and political threat. 

Quote: "His blood be upon us and our Children" (Fredrickson 18).

Reaction: As of the organization of Christianity for the Jews, they were seen as guilty people for not following that belief. In Matthew 27:25 it is mentioned that the Jews cried out for the death of god. Therefore, anything wrong that was to happen would be fault of the Jews.