Christian Anti-Semitism: Past History, Present Challenges: Reflections in Light of Mel Gibson\u27s The Passion of the Christ

A contemporary film on anti-Semitism describes this centuries-long social disease as a shadow over the cross. Recent Catholic documents have spoken in even stronger language. In 1989 the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace insisted that Harboring racist thoughts and entertaining racist attitudes is a sin. And it clearly included anti-Semitism in its list of continuing manifestations of racist ideologies that are to be regarded as sinful. In point of fact, it terms anti-Semitism the most tragic form that racist ideology has assumed in our century. My assignment here today is to present an overview of post biblical anti-Semitism, following up on Professor Hamm\u27s analysis of forms of anti-Semitism in the New Testament