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That's about all I have to say about Eric Alterman. |
Posted on 01/12/2006 5:21:45 PM PST by infoguy
According to Eric Alterman, conservative Christians don’t really like the Jews. The left-wing writer suggested this in the Thursday edition of his MSNBC blog, despite admitting that he knows "darn few" right-wing Christians. (Alterman is known for writing books such as "What Liberal Media?" and others.) He came to this conclusion while expounding on the perceived anti-Semitism of some Europeans:
"I wouldn’t argue that the French are not anti-Semitic and that American right-wing Christians are not philo-Semitic, but it’s not that simple. France had Jewish prime ministers in both the thirties and fifties and might get another one soon. No way that could happen in the United States even today. So what does that say? Here’s what I think, though it’s not provable. In France, they don’t like "the Jews" but they have no problem with Jews. I lived in Paris for a bit and it was never an issue and I’ve never heard of it being an issue for any of my friends. Among Christian right-wingers, however—of whom I know darn few, I’ll admit—I get the feeling they love "the Jews" but don’t have much use for Jews, as individuals. It’s just a thought."(Emphasis added by writer and here also)
What does that even mean?
So, he admits that he doesn't know more than a token sum, but he decides to make a sweeping generalization based on the one or two he "knows."
Reminds me of the people who couldn't believe that President Reagan beat Mondole... "I can't believe Reagan won! Nobody I know voted for Reagan."
They simply can't believe that there are any people who think differently from them. And when they realize it, they believe that those people must be either a) incredibly stupid, or b) just plain evil.
Mark
I just came on, saw this article, read it, and wondered if I should post what I'm going to post.
Hate to tell you folks, but you are falling into his trap. You probably didn't read carefully what he wrote.
In fact he could use this thread, up to now, to prove he was right.
With a few exceptions all the posts mention love of the Jews, the Jewish people.
That's exactly what he said.
His argument is that Christians don't like individual Jews a people, not as a People.
Now I didn't expect a cliche that "some of my best friend are" but the responses do not, repeat, do not, prove him wrong.
/In a Devil's Advocate mode.
Just say you all like me, and we'll be done.
Just a thought, but does Alterman think that all blacks look/think alike?
I would be willing to bet that I know far more conservative Christians (and not just here on FreeRepublic) that Alterman does. "Some of my best friends are conservative Christians!" lol Anyway, in my sweeping generalization, which is probably far more accurate than his, and besides, I "think" mine is better, though it's not provable, I think that conservative Christians are far better friends to Jews, both as a group AND individuals, than leftist or liberal Jews!
After all, many of the Kapos in the concentration camps were Jews too.
And I didn't lose the argument, because I didn't actually use the "N" word first!
Mark
Mark
Leftists believe it, and they pray for it, since that's what gives them their political power.
Mark
I'm gonna see if I can find his email address and let him know that I as a Christian care about Jews and everyone else.
The guy is an idiot.
There is no group of Americans (other than the Jews) who are better versed in Torah, Tenach, and Jewish customs than the Evangelicals.
"Conservative Christians are the best friends that the Jews have on this earth. That is a fact. Period. End of discussion."
I totally agree.
Israel knows who loves her.
Well, how many conservative Christians do you know personally? If by conservative Christian, one means someone who is serious religious right Christian, I must admit I don't know any personally. There was no reason for the topic to come up. And the claim was about right wing Christians, not "religious" right Christians, although that what be what Alterman meant, and was just sloppy. Michael Medved has said he had neighbors in college in the apartment above him who were evangelical Christian Baptists, and led prayer meetings, and he found them to be among the most decent and considerate and kind folks he has ever met.
Actually, come to think of it, I know Jwalsh07 very well I think by now both via posts and freepmail and email, and I think he has about the same attitude I have about individual Jews (you can decide for yourself what that might be), but then he is Catholic, and that might not count anymore for this matrix box. However back when, I was taught that to be Catholic was prima facie evidence of anti-Semitism in my little secular WASP household. How times have changed. :)
Can you imagine the outrage if a Christian writer had said this about Jews.
Nice try, Counselor. But the question doesn't refer to me, or to you for that matter.
You and I may not move in circles where Evangelicals are prominent.
Also there is no question that many Christians literally love Jews considering the amount of intermarriage.
I guess you would have to ask Evangelical Christians living where Evangelical Christianity is a way of life. There must be some Jews in their lives, even if only a local merchant or professional.
Do they view that Jew, as a neighbor and good guy, friend, or only as one of "the Chosen". Can they view that Jew seperate from the Jews.
Some obviously can and do. But is that an exception to the rule?
You have to admit that the posts here did, if anything, buttress the author's argument. Jews as a People was immediately read into the meaning, even though the author was quite clear he was referring to Jews as individuals in his argument. In fact that was his argument, that only the "People" are the object of affection.
Your argument reminds me a bit about those evanescent, and often ephemeral, fine lines SCOTUS has drawn regarding the establishment clause. :)
What a pant load.
It infuriates me that the left is the part of the political spectrum that is most anti-semetic and racist, but they somehow keep getting to paint the right that way and get away with it.
Go figure.
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