Why Christian Seders are antisemitic (don't fucking do them), and what you CAN do.
Alright, not to ruin everyone's fun but it's Spring, which means Pesach (or Passover) is coming up and that means a whole host of things are also going on that I want to talk about.
Why are Christian Seders bad?
Christian Seders are bad for a whole slew of reasons, but I'm going to focus on a couple.
Some Christians feel that because Christianity originally grew out of Judaism, they are entitled to Jewish rituals and practices. This is false and feeds into supersessionism, or replacement theology, and is antisemitic. Replacement theology asserts that Christianity is the logical completion of Judaism, and that it is inherently superior. It has been the driving force behind countless conversion attempts (which are also antisemitic) and is harmful to Jews.
Taking Pesach and making it a Christian ritual is also appropriative for other reasons. Taking Jewish traditions and warping them to be Christian is the definition of appropriative (Using Matzoh as a representation of "the body of Christ", as one easy example). The whole thing comes across as a gross mockery of important Jewish rituals.
The long and short of it is that Christians are not entitled to Judaism in any degree, and to take on Pesach as a Christian ritual is highly inappropriate and offensive.
The history of antisemitism, specifically from Christians, around Pesach is vast. I'm focusing on a few aspects but rest assured there are more.
Easter and Pesach are very close together. While many people react with incredulity at this fact, references to Jews as "Christ killers" are not uncommon, and in my (and others') experience these tend to escalate in the time surrounding easter.
Blood libel is the old, but still prevalent in modern forms, concept that Jews would abduct Christian children, especially to use their blood and even more specifically to make matzoh.
So I hope it is clear that the idea that it is appropriate for Christians to claim Pesach as their holiday, while having such a history of persecuting Jews for celebrating Pesach is absolute bullshit.
So what can you do if you're a Christian and want to celebrate Pesach?
Good news! If you're a Christian and want to celebrate Pesach, there are options! Here's some tips!
Many Jews are willing to open their homes to people of other faiths (or lack of faiths!) to celebrate! Don't just ask any random Jew though, allow them to invite you or mention your interest it to a friend. Some organizations will also put on a Seder for interfaith communities, so check for news from local Jewish organizations!
Leave your preconceptions at the door
It is important that, as a non-Jew, you engage with Judaism not from a perspective of Christianity or "strengthening your faith", as that again links back to the concepts of supersessionism, as discussed previously. Instead, engage with an open mind and with a learning mindset. Engage with Judaism on its own terms, and you will have a much more authentic experience.
Remember! Judaism is diverse!
Different Jewish traditions practice Pesach differently! Engage with the personal traditions of your host, and enjoy the beautiful cultural diversity that contributes to Judaism!