An economist and philosopher, Karl Eugen Dühring was a proponent of modern racial antisemitism. The attitudes he expressed were widespread in early 20th century Europe.
A Jewish question would still exist, even if every Jew were to turn his back on his religion and join one of our major churches. Yes, I maintain that in that case, the struggle between us and the Jews would make itself felt as ever more urgent - although the struggle certainly is felt now even when the Jews have yet to convert (in large numbers). It is precisely the baptized Jews who infiltrate furthest, unhindered in all sectors of society and political life. It is as though they have provided themselves with an unrestricted passport advancing their stock to those places where members of the Jewish religion are unable to follow. Furthermore, several doors are closed to members of the Jewish religion by our legislation, and more particularly, by the principles of our administration. Through these portals the racial Jew, who has forsaken his religion, can enter unhindered . . . I return therefore to the hypothesis that the Jews are to be defined solely on the basis of race, and not on the basis of religion.
