Book Of Mormon - An Anti-Semitic Book?

[blooit]

I remember being in a college class and the professor giving a lecture on "the racist origins of the Book of Mormon." Being one of only maybe one or two Mormons in the class, I decided to speak up. He felt that the BOM discriminated against Native Americans. I explained that it was the exact opposite; it taught that they were a chosen people. It nearly cost me my degree, but thank goodness he was sent on sabbatical.

Recently I was informed that saying that "Jews crucified Christ" was anti semitic. I thought this was interesting considering 2 Nephi 10:

3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.

5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

Politically, this could be very strongly misconstrued as anti-semitism (coming from an israelite no less). My point is that as God does not differentiate between races, or genders, or status, he also shows no preference, and seems to have no problem criticizing cultures and traditions and behaviors. Do so is not racism, but is often interpreted to be so.

So, is perceived racism in the scriptures, the result of actual racism (as in imperfect prophets of the past coming through) or our current culture being overly sensitive?

Edited January 28, 2012 by blooit

[Nevo]

I do think this passage is problematic and have said so in the past on this board. However, it needs to be read alongside other passages such as 2 Nephi 29:4-5:

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

See also D&C 133:35: "And they also of the tribe of Judah, after their pain, shall be sanctified in holiness before the Lord, to dwell in his presence day and night, forever and ever." It may be best to view passages such as 2 Nephi 10:3 as intra muros criticism in the tradition of the Israelite prophets and Stephen in Acts 7 (esp. 51–52).

You may find this interesting reading: Keith E. Norman, "The Use and Abuse of Anti-Semitism in the Scriptures," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 32, no. 4 (1999): 167–179.

Edited January 28, 2012 by Nevo

[The Nehor]

Don't even get me started on the Book of Mormon's anti-Babylonianism. Stupid racists.

You can't talk about history without talking about the bad parts of a culture. God condems cultures. Reading the Old Testament you could claim that many Jewish prophets were anti-Semitic (looking at you Isaiah) as long as you set as your milestone suggesting that some people are doing something wrong.

The Book of Mormon presents a conflicted image of the Lamanites. Some of it reads like the anti-Indian literature of the 1800s while other bits make it clear that they are the chosen people and the Gentiles (probably most of the posters on this board) are either going to repent and assist them in fulfilling their God-given role or be swept aside. So you could argue the Book of Mormon marginilizes causasians. Or you can read it as it is meant to be read and repent and accept your role whether major or minor.

[Storm Rider]

I remember being in a college class and the professor giving a lecture on "the racist origins of the Book of Mormon." Being one of only maybe one or two Mormons in the class, I decided to speak up. He felt that the BOM discriminated against Native Americans. I explained that it was the exact opposite; it taught that they were a chosen people. It nearly cost me my degree, but thank goodness he was sent on sabbatical.

Recently I was informed that saying that "Jews crucified Christ" was anti semitic. I thought this was interesting considering 2 Nephi 10:

3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.

5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

Politically, this could be very strongly misconstrued as anti-semitism (coming from an israelite no less). My point is that as God does not differentiate between races, or genders, or status, he also shows no preference, and seems to have no problem criticizing cultures and traditions and behaviors. Do so is not racism, but is often interpreted to be so.

So, is perceived racism in the scriptures, the result of actual racism (as in imperfect prophets of the past coming through) or our current culture being overly sensitive?

No. What is stated is simply a fact for the day; nothing more and nothing less.

[frankenstein]

I was told that because the term synagogue is used in way the person deemed a negative context, that such use of the term synagogue is proof positive of the BOM anti-semitism.

It was easy to see the complex coming out with this fellow and him looking for any excuse to turn us away.

[thesometimesaint]

"A man sees what he wants to see, and disregards the rest".

From Paul Simons' "The Boxer".

Edited January 28, 2012 by thesometimesaint