Under the heading “The Bible’ s violent world” (Perspective, Nov. 17), Emily L. Hauser appropriately calls attention to violent texts in the scriptures of all faiths.
Her challenge to cope with violence in one’s religion is commendable.
She correctly cites a passage from John where Jesus says to “the Jews”: “You belong to your father, the devil.”
But neither Hauser nor her readers should assume that Jesus here attacks the Jewish people or the Jewish faith.
The people named “the Jews” are not the Jewish people as such.
They are, rather, particular partners in a specific discussion.
They are actually identified as believers in Jesus who enigmatically wish to kill him.
Jesus identifies their desire to kill as if it derives from a demonic parent, just as he identifies living according to truth as if it derives from God as a divine parent.
Unfortunately, many who claim to be Christian have interpreted John the same way as Hauser, and have even used the text unconscionably to support anti-Semitism.
