Is this worth confronting?

[Marnie]

I'm not sure what "jew people down" means.

But it doesn't sound good, whatever it is.

It just means to "haggle" over a price of something. It's an old expression and I never even thought of Jews when I heard the expression....

But again, once I realized that Jews were ascribed as being rather frugal and clever in bargaining over trade, it didn't seem particularly offensive to me....I wouldn't mind being thought of as frugal myself.

Well, I am Jew and that expression offends me a little. Mostly it shows the person's ignorance. When you are speaking in front of a group, it's a good idea to avoid any kind of racial stereotypes. Maybe one-on-one it's a little different. My pastor, who is no prude, once raked a board member over the coals for saying the phrase "screwed up" over the pulpit. I mean, what's the big deal, yet it could offend someone in the congregation.

[IslandRose]

I would quietly go to him and gently tell him that his choice of words was not good, and why. Point out how using offensive racial slurs isnt appropriate or reflective of the Lord. After that, I think I would let it go. If you make too much of it beyond a private word, then your scene becomes offensive and doesnt reflect the Lord. Just my view.

I agree.

[RGR]

I always heard it called "chew them down" as a kid; maybe that was sort of like substituting "gosh" for "God" type of thing or something-I don't know, lol! I was shocked last year when I heard my Dad use the "jew them down" phrase! I was raised around a man who was Jewish; a very good friend of the family. His name was Harold Cooperman and he owned a furniture store here in Steele. Mom and Dad bought a lot of furniture from him, linoleum, and lots of other stuff. He was one great man-I hope he came to know the Lord. I have so many fond memories of Mom and Dad going up to his store and staying up there talking to him sometimes until 11:00 or 12:00 at night, lol! His dad was always up there sitting in a recliner and I would always get the recliner next to him and keep him company! Oh well, sorry for getting off topic, I just had to reminensce!

[larryt]

This is a real life thing I am facing right now.

Hi Joel,

Seeing it is a Ass. Pastor if you decide to approach him I wouldn't take it past that. If he said this in a sermon he probably isn't going to listen. Is this a young guy fresh out of college? If it is, it sounds like the novice being lifted up in pride.(1Tim 3:6)

Do you think he was intentionally ragging on the Jews or as Cats' says just using the colloquialism?

LT

[thunderbyrd]

Even tho the poll seems to favor confrontation, i strongly advise you to not do it. Myself and a brother and sister confronted a man a few years ago - over something a little worse than a questionable word - and that man has never forgiven us, i don't think. I basically left my church over it, tho the Lord has put me into another.

What i suggest is to find an anymous way to tell him, like a suggestion box or anymous letter. It's very likely that the man doesn't even know he has used a racist word.

[apothanein kerdos]

This is a real life thing I am facing right now.

Hi Joel,

Seeing it is a Ass. Pastor if you decide to approach him I wouldn't take it past that. If he said this in a sermon he probably isn't going to listen. Is this a young guy fresh out of college? If it is, it sounds like the novice being lifted up in pride.(1Tim 3:6)

Do you think he was intentionally ragging on the Jews or as Cats' says just using the colloquialism?

LT

He's in his 60's or 70's and has been the assistant pastor for a long time at this church. Likewise, he used to be a business man and he always talks about how he could never get money out of "those Jews."

[nebula]

That doesn't sound good.

Does he know that you are Jewish?

Because I don't think your concern is just him making a racial slur - but that his grind against Jews is hurting you.

Am I correct?

If so, that's all the more reason to speak to him and try to work a reconciliation out between you two.

[Work in Progress]

He's in his 60's or 70's and has been the assistant pastor for a long time at this church. Likewise, he used to be a business man and he always talks about how he could never get money out of "those Jews."

Well, there you have it. He obviously doesn't care that it's a racial slur and has no problem with such. My question now is - having outspoken bigoted views, how has he been the assistant pastor for so long?

[thunderbyrd]

Well, this is a different perspective, it seems that there is active racism going on. it is very likely that this man doesn't understand fully how unacceptable this has become today. Yes, this somewhat more serious than what you had described before - but i still council extreme caution in confronting an older brother. Try to deal with it anymously 1st. Write him a letter. 1st assuring him that you love him in the Lord, that you beleive/fear that he has racist veiws, explain how you think it's wrong and also how unacceptable racism has become in society as a whole. And tell him that you are concerned that his attitude might contaminate children in the congregation. then quote to him what Jesus said about "woe" to the person who offends a child.

once again: confronting an older brother is not to be taken lightly, i recomend trying to avoid it altogether.

[Kabowd]

I'm shocked that some have said it's better to avoid it. Confronting someone over an issue like this is an act of love. The hopes are 1) That the person can be restored to God and 2) That the person can be restored to the body. Because he stated this publicly, it's likely you are not the only one who was offended. He most definitely needed confronted and ideally, he should apologize from the pulpit (where he stated it). Whether he's old and doesn't know any better really isn't the issue. Ignorance is not an excuse. If he's ignorant of it, that's all the more reason he needs educated on it then. Confronting him on it now could prevent future offenses. It's best to nip it in the bud. Considering his age however, and your age (and the fact that he is obviously prideful or he wouldn't have made such statements), it's not likely to be received very well. If he rejects it, then yes, biblically you should proceed to including other brothers in Christ to go to him with you.