Keith Hudson, Father of Katy Perry, Apologizes For Anti-Semitic Remarks



By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem --- January 10, 2012 .... In a letter addressed to the ADL, Simon Wiesenthal Center and myself, representing the Israel News Agency, Keith Hudson, father of singer Katy Perry, apologized for recently making anti-Semitic remarks.

Yesterday, I wrote the following letter to Mr. Hudson: Dear Preacher Hudson, As a man who believes in Jesus Christ - why do you make racist statements about Jews and money?

You stated: “You know how to make the Jew jealous? Have some money, honey.” "You go to LA and they own all the Rolex and diamond places. Walk down a part of LA where we live and it is so rich it smells. You ever smell rich? They are all Jews, hallelujah. Amen."

Jesus Christ was a poor Jew.

Must the world remind you of this as you pass the plate for profits that go to your bank account?

Would you like to comment on your remarks above for the Israel News Agency and Google News?

The following is Mr. Hudson's apology: "I deeply regret the hurtful and ugly language I used in my message in Ohio. I have had a few days to think about what I said, and to listen to my words as they were understood by others.

I am not going to offer any excuse, or tell you not to think what I did wasn't so terrible. I do insist, and G-d is my witness - that I am not an anti-Semite. If anything, my faith as a Christian reminds me, and always has reminded me, of my special closeness to the Jewish people.

But that is the point. We can do lots of harm even to those we love simply by using words irresponsibly.
I used images about Jews rooted in the worst anti-Semitism in the past, images that at times led to the persecution and murder of Jews. I can't tell you where I picked up phrases and descriptions that became part of my vocabulary. I used them without ever considering what they meant. I probably would have used them for the rest of my life, had people not pointed out to me their origin and evil purpose.

My joy in life is preaching - using words to call people to G-d. I understand the power of words, and the need for all of us to think twice before using words that can hurt or harm others. I apologize for the hurt that I caused my Jewish friends. With the help of G-d, it will not happen again. Sincerely, Keith Hudson."

The remarks were "unabashedly anti-Semitic," said Abe Foxman, national director of the ADL and author of "Jews & Money: The Story of a Stereotype".

"Church-based anti-Semitism historically has been one of the most virulent forms of this disease. We have made much progress in this country in terms of religiously based anti-Semitism. That's why this manifestation is so disturbing. It is always much worse when it comes out on a religious platform, when an individual who is looked up to as a religious leader gives the old anti-Semitic stereotypes a patina of renewed credibility."

Upon hearing of Hudson's apology, Foxman added: "We welcome Keith Hudson's apology and believe he now better understands why his words were so anti-Semitic and hurtful. Religious leaders bear a responsibility to speak out against anti-Semitism and it seems Mr. Hudson now realizes the power of his words."

Simon Wiesenthal Center founder Rabbi Marvin Hier said the comments were reminiscent of the Nazi era, Hitler and something that his propaganda chief, Joseph Goebbles would have said.

But perhaps worse than what Hudson said and then apologized for was Paul Endrei, the senior pastor at the Church on the Rise in Westlake, Ohio, where the comments were made. Endrei appeared to whitewash the incident saying: "The statement he was trying to make was positive, but it was taken out of context." How can: "You ever smell rich? They are all Jews" be taken out of context?
And this is in light of Hudson's apology clearly and openly admitting that he had done wrong!

Mr. Hudson, I accept your apology on one condition. That you discuss the dangers of anti-Semitism for the next three months in the sermons that you provide as a preacher for the Keith and Mary Hudson Ministries. Anti-Semitism and all forms of racial hatred and bigotry have no place on this earth.

 



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