Language:
German
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Archiv für Reformationsgeschichte
Angaben zur Quelle:
91 (2000) 191-237
Keywords:
Margaritha, Anton,
;
Christianity and antisemitism History 1500-1800
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism 1500-1800
;
History
Abstract:
Early Protestant openness to Judaism gave way around 1530 to suspicion and enmity. It became clear to them that the Jews remained stubborn in their rejection of Christ. Converts, notably Antonius Margaritha ("Der gantz Jüdisch glaub", 1530), warned that Jews in all their actions - moneylending, medical practice, and above all in their prayers and rituals - aimed to harm Christians and destroy Christianity. The blood libel, refuted by the converts (though still half-believed by many Christians), was replaced by fear of Jewish word magic. Even converted Jews were suspect; the sincerity of their conversion was questioned, and they remained Jews, with all the "inbred Jewish depravity". As Protestantism became institutionalized in towns and provinces, rulers were forced to develop practical policies in regard to the Jews. Theologians exhorted them to keep the Jews subjugated, both to protect the Christian population and as living proof of their rejection and the truth of Christianity. The Wandering Jew, the personification of Jewish damnation and misery, was a popular figure in folk literature.
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