What is an Anti-Semite? And Does Mel Gibson Fit the Profile?

There's been a lot of conversations on whether Mel Gibson is an anti-semite since his arrest for drunken driving and his subsequent tirade against Jews. Gibson has repeatedly apologized, saying that the alcohol made him say terrible things against those of the Jewish religion. I'm inclined to believe that he is not an anti-semite.

But this situation has brought up the question: what is an anti-semite?

One definition that I've seen is "an opponent of Jews." Does this interpretation mean someone who disagrees with someone (who is Jewish) about a particular issue, or someone who doesn't like the Jewish religion, or someone who harbors hatred toward the Jewish religion and it's followers? What about someone who openly disagrees with a particular part of the Jewish faith itself? This definition is way too broad.

Wikipedia's definition is "hostility toward or prejudice against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group, which can range from individual hatred to institutionalized, violent persecution." This definition is better; though the definition doesn't include feelings less than hatred.

Now, does Mel fit into either of the above descriptions? I don't think so and here's why:

Consider: Mel Gibson has an Israeli bodyguard (possibly a former Israeli Moussad agent no less, if media rumors turn out to be true) and a Jewish spokeswoman. Would Mel hire someone he hates to protect him and his family (for the last ten years!) or to speak on his behalf? That doesn't really make sense.

Consider: is Mel Gibson anti-British? He made them look REAL bad in "The Patriot" and in "Braveheart" but does that mean he hates English people? NOT.

Consider: Mel Gibson holds to pre-Vatican II Catholic beliefs and has gone so far as to build a church on his property so that he can practice his religion freely. Does this mean he hates post-Vatican II Catholics? NOT.

He's no more an anti-Semite than he is a British hater or a Catholic hater.

I think that people are reading too much into Mel's behavior. He was drunken lush when he was pulled over, and he proved it when he opened his mouth. But an anti-Semite? I think not.

Unless he says otherwise, it's unproven speculation. But he has a ton of explaining to do to save his career from the damage that is being inflicted on it by those who think he is an anti-semite, and from his own appalling behavior.

But people should have the decency to refrain from putting labels on other people when the people they are accusing are getting treatment and choose not to hold daily press conferences to satisfy the media's thirst for scandal.

The treatment Gibson is getting in the media and in Hollywood is a scandal of its own.