Coulter: Jews Need to "Perfect" Themselves and Become Christians
Not like we ever expected much from this woman, but come on. This is really off the hook, even for her.
Editor and Publisher reports,
Appearing on Donny Deutsch’s CNBC show, “The Big Idea,” on Monday night, columnist/author Ann Coulter suggested that the U.S. would be a better place if there weren’t any Jewish people and that they needed to “perfect” themselves into — Christians.
It led Deutsch to suggest that surely she couldn’t mean that, and when she insisted she did, he said this sounded “anti-Semitic.”
Asked by Deutsch whether she wanted to be like “the head of Iran” and “wipe Israel off the Earth,” Coulter stated: “No, we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say. … That’s what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament.”
Excerpts from the transcript of the show under the cut.
DEUTSCH: That isn’t what I said, but you said I should not — we should just throw Judaism away and we should all be Christians, then, or —
COULTER: Yeah.
DEUTSCH: Really?
COULTER: Well, it’s a lot easier. It’s kind of a fast track.
DEUTSCH: Really?
COULTER: Yeah. You have to obey.
DEUTSCH: You can’t possibly believe that.
COULTER: Yes.
DEUTSCH: You can’t possibly — you’re too educated, you can’t — you’re like my friend in —
COULTER: Do you know what Christianity is? We believe your religion, but you have to obey.
DEUTSCH: No, no, no, but I mean —
COULTER: We have the fast-track program.
…
COULTER: No, we think — we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say.
DEUTSCH: Wow, you didn’t really say that, did you?
COULTER: Yes. That is what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament, but ours is more like Federal Express. You have to obey laws. We know we’re all sinners —
DEUTSCH: In my old days, I would have argued — when you say something absurd like that, there’s no —
COULTER: What’s absurd?
DEUTSCH: Jews are going to be perfected. I’m going to go off and try to perfect myself —
COULTER: Well, that’s what the New Testament says.
…
DEUTSCH: Welcome back to The Big Idea. During the break, Ann said she wanted to explain her last comment. So I’m going to give her a chance. So you don’t think that was offensive?
COULTER: No. I’m sorry. It is not intended to be. I don’t think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to, you know, live up to all the laws. What Christians believe — this is just a statement of what the New Testament is — is that that’s why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don’t believe our testament.
Full story.
Why should this be shocking news to anyone? Many xtians hold this belief. A lot of these very “pro-Israel” people think we’ll convert.
I mean, this is just the natural tension that arises between a non-prosletyzing religion (like ours) and a prosletyzing religion (like xtianity or islam).
I mean, not all xtians feel this way, that would be an overgeneralization, but this type of belief isn’t new or uncommon.
This teaching thats shes espousing though, has antinomian implications, which sharply contradict Coulter’s attitude about well, everything. You can’t say “you dont need the Law”, and then point to Leviticus for your justification on why you think same-sex marriage is wrong. To be fair though, Paul of Tarsus did make up his own (arbitrary) rules after declaring the mitzvot obselete. Hence, the inherent problem of antinomianism: It turns into “everybody can do what they want…except the stuff that i dont like”. Which is bad for what I think are obvious reasons.
I would have told Coulter to worry about her own adherence to the Seven Noachide Laws and to leave us alone.
Yeah, but it’s ANN COULTER. I don’t know why we’re giving her publicity by listening to any of the nonsense the fool spouts. I mean can that person put two sentences together without saying something either bigoted or stupid, or at least plain factually in error?
“I would have told Coulter to worry about her own adherence to the Seven Noachide Laws and to leave us alone.”
That’s a very good point. Is it just me, or does anyone think that Ann Coulter seems like just the kind of person who’d eat flesh from a live animal?
On a purely theological level, Ann Coulter is voicing was has been the standard Christian view of Judaism for most of the history of Jewish Christian relations. This viewpoint has ranged from the Augustinian position of “don’t harm the Jews because God entrusted the Old Testament to them and they are to bear witness to our ultimate triumph” to the position taken by such theologians as Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther which is “Anyone who reads the Old Testament should accept Christ, so the Jews must be evil.”
Thankfully, in our era, a lot of Christians view this sort of triumphalist theology as sinful and have been seeking out a theology that embraces a healthier relationship with Judaism, but what Coulter preached is the underlying theology that has justified the kidnappings, forced conversions, libels,Talmud burning, ghettos and violence that so characterized Christian treatment of Jews prior to the development of modern Antisemitism which declared Jews to be a “race.”
I do not know what church she was raised in, but a lot of Catholic and Protestant clergy still taught this theological view of Judaism in the era in which she was growing up.
The other issue is that Ann Coulter has in her statements demonstrated herself to be a religious bigot before– I have heard an interview in which she defended the proposition that the US military should just kill all Muslim leaders and forcibly convert the Muslims to Christianity.
We should neither be shocked by Colter’s theological beliefs nor by her bigotry.
No,
But we should be shocked that she is given a platform with which to broadcast those views, and that those views have made her a celebrity rather than a pariah.
“That’s a very good point. Is it just me, or does anyone think that Ann Coulter seems like just the kind of person who’d eat flesh from a live animal?”
Quite right, quite right. I woudn’t be surprised.
But anyway, Danya, you didn’t quote other parts of the interview I thought were relevant: where Ann Coulter says offensive things about Muslims, Buddhists, etc. Also, the part where she decides she knows how observant a Jew Deutsch is.
I’ve looked at the clip. I’m a little frustrated with Deutsch. Can’t he come up with anything better that “I’m offended” and “You CAN’T believe that.” Like, say, “we don’t believe that repentance can be outsourced,” and “we rejected human sacrifice in Abraham’s day,” and “you are not on the ‘fast track,’ you just have a theology that forces a first century Jew to be accountable for your sins.” And last but certainly not least “Thank you, Ann, for cluing us into what REALLY goes on in those megachurches when we’re not there for one of their dog-and-pony shows.”
I found Ann enlightening for once – she gave voice to the secret all over the block, said the very thing we all know the Xtian Fundies are thinking but unwilling to admit out loud.
You’re a left-wing wacko and will grasp at any straws you can in order to make Coulter look bad. Shame on you for putting words in her mouth and quoting only excerpts of the interview to skew the context.
My own personal hope is that this clip will be played to every single person who thinks the wacko righties are on Israel’s side. This shit should spliced into every single phonebank, every targetted ad, every mailing. A copy of this tape should be delivered to the “ambassador” as well.
For all the folks that think Bush is good for Jews, this is what it’s really about.
You know, I really have to say that for once, the lady kinda has a point this time, no?
By the way, the banner ad at the bottom of this page is for Ann Coulter.
Yes, Ann Coulter is advertising on Jewschool.
I didn’t find her vision as intimidating or dangerous as I should, as many of the yidlach do. I find something too Sacha Baron Cohen about her routine. I almost feel that when people get exasperated about her, that’s kind of the punch line. Sorry, this woman strikes me as a political satirist as much as a columnist. Even if she means half of it, or even more than that while in character. No, she’s not making fun of racism, sexism, a desire to convert the Jews, etc…but there is something intentionally satiric here.
Its only satiric if its funny, or at least trying to be funny. Out of her mouth it is just bigoted antisemetic crap.
Normally I’d get into the discussion at this point by calling Anne a lout but contrasting her attitude (which is probably held by a majority of the xtains who support Israel) with those of the Muslims who think we are wrong and therefor want to subjegate or kill us. But since I’m in Barbados at the moment I just can’t get interested enough to do it.
> I’ve looked at the clip. I’m a little frustrated with Deutsch.
> Can’t he come up with anything better that “I’m offendedâ€
> and “You CAN’T believe that.â€
Rich,
Consider to the extent that Jews, especially high-profile Jews, are encouraged to be inoffensive to Christians– even to the extent of being reluctant to confront blatant antisemitism. This is just the modern version of the basic behavior Raul Hilberg observed as being typical of diaspora/ghetto Judaism in his Destruction of the European Jews which is to partially cooperate with the oppressor in order to preserve the larger community– a good survival technique in the medieval era, but completely dysfunctional in the 20th century. Those of us living in Western-style democracies have freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press, and so long as we use it responsibly (and not use the label “anti-Semitic” lightly) we need to be more vocal.
The other issue is that we’ve become so focussed on Islamic anti-Semites in recent years that we’ve forgotten that there are Christian anti-Semites.
“You’re a left-wing wacko and will grasp at any straws you can in order to make Coulter look bad. Shame on you for putting words in her mouth and quoting only excerpts of the interview to skew the context.”
–haha, dude nobody has to go out of their way very far to make her look bad, she does that all by herself just fine! The thing with Coulter is, she provides way too many straws for her critics to choose from.
I think it’s important to put these quotes back in context.
Jewlicious posted the whole segment yesterday:
http://www.jewlicious.com/?p=3844
First, the whole segment was about how “being extreme makes millions.” Mr. Deutsch began it trying to pin her down on what her view of an ideal America would look like (presumably hoping to get her to say something “extreme”). She kept saying stupid things about how it would be just like one huge happy Republican convention.
Then he got her to say that it would be a Christian nation. Hardly a surprising comment for a conservative of her type, but he decided to focus on that:
DEUTSCH: So we should be Christian? It would be better if we were all Christian?
COULTER: Yes! (big smile)
DEUTSCH: So we should all be Christian?
COULTER: Yes, would you like to come to church with me, Donny?
DEUTSCH: So I should not be Jewish…
COULTER: Well, you could be a practicing Jew, but you’re not! (snicker)
In a way, this is actually more offensive, since she’s not just explaining her theology, but personally attacking Deutsch’s religious observance.
But I think the throwaway comment about “practicing Jews” is far more interesting than the bit about Christianity being a “fast-track” to redemption. Because from a Christian perspective, the fast-track bit makes sense. Why bother observing kashrut and Shabbat and all those other laws when you can just believe in Jesus and barbeque all the pork ribs you want on Saturdays?
I’d be very curious to know what her definition of a “practicing Jew” is, though. Does it mean “not a liberal?”
Where’s a pie when you need one?
“The other issue is that we’ve become so focussed on Islamic anti-Semites in recent years that we’ve forgotten that there are Christian anti-Semites.”
Are you kidding? The loudest Jewish voices in the media attempt to downplay Muslim anti-Semitism and constantly try to convince American Jews that “the Christians are coming!!!” a la 1939.
I think what bothers me most about Coulter is that no one on the Right tries to censor her. She’s obviously got a borderline personality, if she isn’t clinically psychotic – yet no one in her camp seems to care. As long as she validates their belief system, and can draw an audience and rally people to their side, that’s all they care about. I used to wonder why conservative leaders allowed Phyllis Schlafly, who is a complete moron, to speak in public. Coulter almost makes her look like a day at the beach. She’s a palpable example of how out of the control the Right has gotten.
Any yes – she is voicing the conservative Christian party line. No one should be surprised about this. The only unusual thing going on here is that there is obviously something wrong with that part of her brain responsible for self-editing – but, when you bring in the ratings, no one cares.
COULTER: No. In fact, there was an entire Seinfeld episode about Elaine and her boyfriend dating because they wanted to be a mixed-race couple, so you’re lying.
DEUTSCH: Oh, because of some Seinfeld episode? OK.
The fact that thousands, if not millions of people can listen to this woman on a regular basis and not think that she needs to be on Thorazine may be one of the most flagrant indictments of our society in years. She may be the best argument we’ve ever had for lobotomy.
I think what bothers me most about Coulter is that no one on the Right tries to censor her. She’s obviously got a borderline personality, if she isn’t clinically psychotic – yet no one in her camp seems to care. As long as she validates their belief system, and can draw an audience and rally people to their side, that’s all they care about.
I don’t know how true that is. She has her fans, but I think people like her not because they think she’s smart or right all the time (although I’m sure some people do think those things), but because they find her amusing and provocative. The title of the Donny Deutsch segment was “being extreme makes millions,” not “being intellectually honest makes millions.”
Meanwhile, there are plenty of conservatives out there who think Ann Coulter is an embarrassment. Unfortunately, however, as long as she’s good for ratings, she’ll keep getting air time.
Fuck that bitch
Meanwhile, there are plenty of conservatives out there who think Ann Coulter is an embarrassment.
I’d like to believe that. Go to Amazon and take a look at “reviews” posted by right-wingers – they laud her for “telling it like it is”.
Unfortunately, however, as long as she’s good for ratings, she’ll keep getting air time.
My point exactly. She gets ratings, which translates into money, I’m sure they aren’t all that embarrassed.
I’ve always seen Coulter as an unfunny Lisa Lampanelli. She sees the opportunity to be insulting and tries to be as insulting as possible in order to get more national attention for her next book. I think she saw an opening and just took it. I might like her more if she told more dick jokes.
That being said, I live in the south and I really believe most Christians here believe this. You should see the responses I get on the local news blog if I try to explain the Jewish perspective on certain things. I think that they believe we shouldn’t have the right to be Jews. Of course, they would never say it to our faces, they’ll just go on and on about how much they support Israel but under the anonymity of blogs, their true feelings come out.
Johnny-
That was pretty much my experience of observant Protestants growing up in Washington, D.C. as a lot of the white families had roots in the Confederacy.
However, I did recently come upon an online discussion on a forum that wasn’t supposed to be religious entitled “Is the Old Testament Valid?” and I had to point out that they were a bunch of Christians debating over the validity of Judaism. The guy who started the thread was actually apologetic and explained that he didn’t know that Jews read the Bible, and had never meant to offend against someone else’s beliefs. However another participant went on the attack and basically insisted that the discussion was only for those who accepted the Christianity in the first place.
First off, a disclaimer stating that I detest Coulter’s politics, and second, many here have made the point that she was just expressing basic Christian doctrine with echoes of replacement theology that still inheres in most interpretations of Christianity … but at the same time, I was also struck that what she said was not necessarily dismissing Judaism, at least as many devout Orthodox people understand it. She repeated several times “you have to obey” … to me that meant, she was saying that Jews must observe the commandments. I think most Orthodox rabbis insist that Jews should accept “ol malkhut shamayim”. When a prospective convert comes to an Orthodx rabbi and asks to be converted, that is the standard answer most Orthodox rabbis give to discourage (and possibly) test such a person …”hey, you’re fine with the 7 Noahide Laws”..but once you become a Jew “you have to OBEY –so why do it? It’s much harder.” Seems like Anna’leh was saying much the same thing–although in her religious worldview, there are no 7 Noahide Laws, one must merely accept Jesus as one’s savior. But I didn’t hear her explicitly say that a Jew who doesn’t accept Jesus as savior is damned… (and to be honest I wouldn’t be outraged if she did say that)just that person doesn’t have the “fast track” that she believes she has as a believer in Jesus. In AC’s opinion then, what recourse is left for such a Jew, who won’t accept the savior if such a Jew desires “salvation”? Well, I heard AC say that he “MUST OBEY”–i.e., such a non-Jesus believing Jewish person should observe the mitzvot. That’s what I heard her say. Leaving my defense of AC aside in this instance, I still think she’s a publicity hungry, ignorant blonde doofus with ridiculous politics.