The popular misconceptions about Jews and Judaism described in this chapter are of three kinds. Some reflect traditional understandings that have been changed through scholarly research, such as the belief that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. Most misconceptions are of the xenophobic variety, generated by people who distrust, fear, and even despise people outside their group. The ancient Israelites wanted their own land where they could worship their god. Christian fundamentalists who deny evolution admit they can't prove the story of creation in Genesis, but, they point out, those who believe in evolution can't prove their theory either. Few Jewish beliefs have been subject to as much misunderstanding as the “Chosen People” doctrine. The Jews killed Jesus. This claim is deeply rooted in the history of Christian theology, and has been used since the second century as a rationale for anti-Semitism.