Special Correspondent | DNA Live24 Mumbai: Two of the world’s most influential religions, Judaism and Christianity, preach pea...
Special Correspondent | DNA Live24
Mumbai: Two of the world’s most influential religions, Judaism and Christianity, preach peace and love. They share the same roots, the same Old Testament, and the same Holy Land of Jerusalem. Yet, history shows us a timeline filled with bloodshed and hostility between them. What exactly caused this 2,000-year-old conflict? Let’s uncover the history.
Two Branches of the Same Tree
The conflict began in the 1st Century when the Jewish people were under the rule of the Roman Empire. They were waiting for a 'Messiah' (Savior) who would liberate them from oppression. When Jesus Christ began his ministry, a group of Jews believed him to be the Messiah and eventually became Christians.
However, the traditional Jewish leadership rejected this. For them, the Messiah was prophesied to be a warrior-king who would restore Israel’s political kingdom, not a spiritual teacher like Jesus. This theological difference created the first major split.
The "God Killers" Accusation
The hostility turned into hatred after the Crucifixion of Jesus. For centuries, the Church in Europe propagated the belief that the Jewish people were collectively responsible for the death of Jesus. They were branded as 'Christ-Killers' (Deicide).
This religious anti-semitism led to severe persecution in the Middle Ages:
- Jews were banned from living in main cities.
- They were forced to live in walled, segregated areas known as Ghettos.
- During the Crusades, armies marching to the Holy Land massacred thousands of Jews across Europe.
The Darkest Hour: The Holocaust
In the 20th century, this ancient hatred was weaponized by Adolf Hitler. During World War II, the Nazi regime systematically murdered 6 million Jews in gas chambers. This genocide, known as the Holocaust, remains a dark stain on humanity.
A New Era of Reconciliation
The horror of the Holocaust forced the Christian world to reflect. In 1965, the Vatican issued a historic declaration (Nostra Aetate), officially stating that the Jewish people cannot be blamed for the death of Jesus.
Today, the relationship has transformed. Pope John Paul II famously called Jews "our elder brothers." Currently, many Christian nations, especially in the West, are the strongest allies of Israel.
Conclusion
History teaches us that hatred in the name of religion only leads to destruction. Today, Jews and Christians have moved past the dark chapters of history and are walking the path of Interfaith Dialogue and cooperation, which is essential for global peace.
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