Before I get a moderator attacking me, I am not trying to be offensive or anything. I am completely serious and have always wondered why many people call each other “jews.” or simply use it in such a negative tone.
Short answer: they have negative things associated with them stereotypically, such as been greedy, tight-fisted, pushy, obnoxious and generally unsavory individuals. These stereotypes come from centuries of living on the outskirts of mainstream (Christian) society and being excluded from most ways of earning a living, and so having to form their own tightly knit clans on the margins of society. Anyone in this position is going to be the object of suspicion and mistrust, and over the years, the beliefs about Jews become more and more sinister and paranoid. The fact that the Jews rejected and (arguably) killed Christ is probably the primary root of the Jews being excluded.
As for Jews being mocked in this day and age - the slurs the OP is referring to - it’s a remnant of this history of anti-Semitism, which is, thankfully, largely gone from Western society, though it obviously is still holding on among Nazi admirers, certain Muslim groups, and various anti-Jewish conspiracy theorists.
Because the Jewish religion was ostracized in Europe for most of it’s history due to the antipathy the Catholic Church (and other Christian denominations) had against them. That and the fact that in most cases the Jewish community was a separate community, never fully integrating and keeping itself apart (which made them an easy target and marked them as outsiders even in countries they were born in…though, in many cases this simply stemmed from the fact that they were ostracized and kept apart) pretty much gave rise to many of the stereotypes and the negative connotations. It’s hard to launch pogroms against people who you don’t first demonize, especially when you are planning to kill them, their children and families, or at least take their possessions. It’s MUCH easier to do those things when you paint them as sub-human first.
Also, in Europe there were some church prohibitions against certain jobs, such as banking, which was one of the niches that Jews could fill (there were also prohibitions against Jews getting weapons or being able to do many other trades in some parts of Europe IIRC). That meant that Jews became bankers and lenders, which lead to some of the stereotypes about skinflint Jews scalping the Christians (also, many Christians would default on their loans, especially the nobles, and get out of them by leading pogroms, which meant the Jews had to drive a hard bargain just to stay in business in many cases).
-XT
When I read a book on yiddish I was struck by an interpretation of their being Gods’ chosen people.
They are Holy, we (us non-Jews) are profane. They really laid it out that every non-Jew is, basically, a bag of shit.
I could see that rubbing someone the wrong way.
Kind of like the attitude Christians have towards unbelievers? Or Muslims do? Or…
…atheists. 
But yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking.
-XT
That’s not what the Chosen People thing means. I find the idea grating, but Jewish dopers have explained this in the past. Here’s an example
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12756611&highlight=chosen+jews#post12756611
Yeah, no. That is NOT the view of almost all Jews, extreme or otherwise. I probably shouldn’t even bother to argue with you… If someone who is here for reasons other than flaming is interested, I’ll share my views.
Or Republicans, or vegans, or people with children, or people without children, or sports fans, or…
Humans are a tad tribalistic sometimes.
Exactly. With the exception of agnatheist’s, of course…
-XT
Please do not argue with me about what I read in a book. I am just relating what someone else wrote. I thought it offensive and posted it as a reason a bigoted person could use to dislike Jews.
The concept of the Jews being “God’s Chosen People” is grossly misunderstood, especially by anti-Semites. The idea of being a “chosen people” means that the Jews have MORE responsibilities than everyone else. They have to follow 613 commandments, while the Gentiles only have to follow seven (what are known as the Noachide Laws, if I remember correctly.) The Jews aren’t “chosen” in the sense that they’re supposed to dominate and subjugate and oppress the whole rest of the world and that all Gentiles are scum. It’s the exact opposite - the Jews are supposed to be the example for the rest of the world to follow voluntarily (the term used is “light onto the nations.”) Judaism is a religion where you DO NOT HAVE TO BE JEWISH to go to heaven. Nowhere in Judaism (unlike many other religions) does it say that people who don’t believe in Judaism will suffer in any way after death.
This whole idea of “they think they’re God’s chosen people and they have the right to shit on everyone else” is utter bullshit, a fabrication invented by anti-Semites to justify their barbaric anti-Jewish acts. That ideology is not a part of Jewish beliefs whatsoever.
Until the Messiah comes, that is.
Methinks the tolerance of the moderators with idiot newbies is a tad too high.
It was a fundamental aspect of Roman society that wealth and social status was gained from involvement in foreign wars. Therefore, there was a need to find enemies and keep in a constant state of war.
Many Romans gained their social position through their “conquests” in the eastern Mediterranean. However, the opposition was very weak. Therefore it was politically advantageous to make it seem as if they were far more formidable than they really were.
Therefore, it became a political tactic and a means for social advancement to demonize the Jews. This is documented in the book by Josephus (Flavius???) entitiled “The Jewish Wars”.
On the other question: antisemitism is alive and well in our modern world; particularly in Europe.
In my recent travels, particularly in France, I have observed that in the “upper” levels of society, it is considered to be fashionable to be antisemitic.
Clearly, the lessons of WWII are being ignored amongst those who should know better.
Blood libel - Wikipedia Because they eat babies?
Are babies kosher?
You’ve been on the Dope for ten years. You should be well aware that this isn’t even close to being an offensive question around these parts. How is this even pinging your radar as something mods should take action against?
It’s not the question, its the OP. This thread, combined with the ever intelligent raping a prostitute is shopliftinig thread, made it perfectly clear to me the OP has no real interest in the issue.
For example?