patrick.net

After thinking about it, I've concluded that Judaism requires some amount of antisemitism in order to continue existing as a minority religion.

If there's too much, that's obviously bad, because genocide.

But on the other hand, if there is too little antisemitism, Jews rapidly assimilate into the mainstream and a distinct Jewish community no longer exists. This has even been openly stated by some groups - that America is "Killing the Jews with kindness." By which they don't mean literal killing, only a removal of all barriers to assimilation.

I think white South Africans are also at enormous risk of genocide by the black majority because they maintain a distance and distinct identity.

The same thing plays out with almost every minority group that is determined not to assimilate. The Armenians were careful to maintain distinctions between themselves and the Turks. Heck, the Amish don't really want to talk to you either, because outside influences are a threat to their identity. But no one hates the Amish because they are so darn peaceful.

Another counterexample would be the Parsis of India. They don't intermarry with non-Parsis and are quite distinct and very rich. Non-Parsis may not even set foot in Parsi fire temples. But they make a point of benevolent public works and are highly regarded in India. So maybe a strategy of maintaining some hostility and tension is not absolutely necessary to maintain an ethnic minority in the long term, and other strategies could work as well.