For this reason, Murray argued, anyone who was Jewish and stupid 2,000 years ago found "it was a lot easier to be a Christian."

Being stupid = becoming Christian.

Thanks for clearing that up. Too bad you're not "intelligent" enough to see how grossly offensive that statement is. Imagine if someone said it of, I don't know, Jewish people. The phrase "antisemitism" comes to mind.

Tolerance and respect are a two way street.

It is? I haven't seen it. It's more like a one-way back alley to Dershowitz's office for the whiners to escape when the criticism come their way.

calm the hell down. saying that 2000 years ago it was likely that an unintelligent jew would be urged to find mates and social acceptance elsewhere (and one of the major alternatives would have been christianity) is not an insult to christianity. if anything, you should be delighted your religion was the one that was so open to new people.

I find it to be an interesting comment. I know a lot of stupid Christians; I know some Jews, and none of them are stupid.

Anse:

I find it to be an interesting comment. I know a lot of stupid Christians; I know some Jews, and none of them are stupid.

1. I'm guessing that you don't know too many Christians, then.
2. Since we're dealing with broad generalizations, is it now OK for me to posit that Jews are ugly, conniving, money-grubbing, and duplicitous?

kenrockthefirst:

Anse:

I find it to be an interesting comment. I know a lot of stupid Christians; I know some Jews, and none of them are stupid.

1. I'm guessing that you don't know too many Christians, then.
2. Since we're dealing with broad generalizations, is it now OK for me to posit that Jews are ugly, conniving, money-grubbing, and duplicitous?

1. I know lots of Christians. Hell, I live in Texas, man. You can't spit without hitting a Bible-thumper. The number of stupid ones is about equal to the number of smart ones.

2. You can say whatever you want about Jews. It's a free country.

You know... judging from your hostility, I'd say there's a good chance you might be an idiot.

As for tolerance and respect, your religious affiliation runs the country. Getting mad at a Jew for calling you stupid is about as defensible as getting mad if a black guy calls you a cracker. Christianity is among the most oppressive religions that has ever existed and has claimed an incredible number of lives through its practice.

When was the last time the Jews started an Inquisition? Exactly, never. That's why you don't get to complain.

So it's morally acceptable to be a bigot if the target of your bigotry is a group with power?

You know, a lot of people would say that makes anti-Semitism OK. You lose all your moral legitimacy if you try to justify any bigotry against anyone.

And you should beware the backlash and spiritual bankruptcy that will naturally accompany your belief that the only racists are whites.

Yes, it's crude - and offensive. Substitute "white" for "Jew" in the article and you would have a white supremacist propaganda piece.

hyperionred-

to a certain extent it is acceptable to have prejudice against those in power when one is disenfranchised. in fact, after consistently getting the shaft at the hand (or by the omission of the efforts of) those in power who abuse (or fail to recognize) their position of power, it would be kind of stupid not to be upset and focus one's frustrations on the powerful.

there is a huge difference between bigotry and self defense. white christian people aren't quite in the position where they can argue self defense, even if something does hurt their feelings.

BUT all of this is irrelevant because the statement made in the article was not really saying the thing that the oversensitive first poster interpretted anyway.

gee, all the jews i know are stupid, if not, why are they jews?

snowfox:

You know... judging from your hostility, I'd say there's a good chance you might be an idiot.

As for tolerance and respect, your religious affiliation runs the country. Getting mad at a Jew for calling you stupid is about as defensible as getting mad if a black guy calls you a cracker. Christianity is among the most oppressive religions that has ever existed and has claimed an incredible number of lives through its practice.

When was the last time the Jews started an Inquisition? Exactly, never. That's why you don't get to complain.

I'm an idiot because I take umbrage and having my religion equated with being stupid? My point, which you clearly weren't "intelligent" enough to understand, is that what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

BTW, speaking of oppressive religions, how do you think the Samaritans viewed (and, indeed, view) the Jews? How do you think Palestinian Christians and Muslims view Israeli Jews?

Get a clue.

What is the author saying about tolerance and inclusivity?

timaree:

BUT all of this is irrelevant because the statement made in the article was not really saying the thing that the oversensitive first poster interpretted anyway.

Gosh, I'm "oversensitive?" I guess only Jews get to call out people for making broad generalizations.

BTW, you misspelled "interpreted." I will now make the generalization that taking a view different from mine = being poor speller.

I'm already smarter than you, or at the very least a bit better grounded in reality. You have an imaginary friend who you think grants you wishes and gives you eternal existence.

I saw and dismissed your point because, as a Christian, you really can't claim that any other group is a threat to you. It wouldn't matter if a study proved a lower IQ in Christians -- they'd still run the country (and continue to do a poor job of it). You just have no room to complain.