What are the historical roots of anti-Semitism? Where did it stem from? Define the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism.

It began with hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group. The definition of anti-Semitism has been the focus of innumerable discussions and studies. While there is no universally accepted definition, there is a generally clear understanding of what the term encompasses. Anti-Semitism is the hatred of the Jewish people. It has existed to some extent wherever Jews have settled outside of Palestine. Religious differences were the primary basis for anti-Semitism.

Wilhelm Marr founded the "League of Anti-Semitism", the first German organization committed specifically to combating the alleged threat to Germany posed by the Jews and advocating their forced removal from the country. He began the idea that Germans and Jews were locked in an ancient conflict, the beginning of which he recognized to race. Jews were considered outsiders. They were also portrayed to thinking they were superior to others whom were not Jewish. Jews whom did not convert over had been blamed for Germany's decline and its misfortunes (Kishlansky, Geary, & O'Brien, Addison Wesley Longman, 2001).

English: Photo of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

anti-semitism

Progressive Jewish Thought and the New Anti-Semiti...

The Jewish people had some disagreements with anti-Semitism beliefs, because there religion forbids for them to bow down to anyone or another god other than the Creator itself.

Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century that anti-Semitism first became a serious threat to Jewish existence (http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/history/world/wh0031.html).

Anti-Semitism stemmed from Jews whom been portrayed as killers of the son of God. As long as they had Jews who did not follow the religious beliefs of anti-Semitism the growth of it became bigger and bigger. Jews searched desperately for a way to maintain their religious identity. Most of the Jewish people refused to convert the religion of their hosts and instead maintained their own religion, rituals, and customs, and for that more and more...