Joseph Campbell on Jews and Judaism

Abstract

Joseph Campbell's private expressions of antisemitism have been documented by his acquaintances, his students, and even his friends. But Campbell's own writings attest to his prejudice. Nearly all of his references to Jews and Judaism are disdainful and hostile. Campbell's dislike of Judaism does stem in part from his dislike of Western religions generally and to that extent cannot be said to reflect antisemitism. But his dislike of Judaism is especially uncompromising and, more, appeals to common antisemitic stereotypes. At the same time Campbell applauds the mythology of Judaism, as he does every other mythology, and really seeks to substitute the mythology for the religion.