[rex3]

Do you think Judaism is a religoun or race?

choose:

- Yes for Religoun

- No for Race

Arabs are also semetic, its on wikipedia here

[cepb]

Judaism is a religion: Anyone of any race can be a Jew. The word race means people of a similar genetic background. Although modern reserach has shown that most Jews in the world today do derive from a similar genetic background. Here's the reason for this:

Jews believe that they are the "Chosen People". They believe that they are the people (originally the ancient Hebrews) who have been chosen by God to serve him and to "make him happy". This means that they have to follow the 613 rules (mitzvot) and that they have the responsability of serving God, and more responsability than most people. As a result of this they do not encourage people to become a Jew because only "the Jews" need to serve God and have that responsability in order to be holy in God's eyes. Non-jews do not have this extra responsability of the 613 mitzvohs in order to be holy: they only have to follow the first 7 commandments.

The process of becoming a Jew is also long:

1) years of study
2) representation in Beth Din (rabbinical court)
3) circumsission (male)

Therefore, most Jews do derive from the same genetic background because they are mainly born into the religion and this means that they are born with extra responsabilities that normal people. Therefore non-jews are discouraged from becoming a Jew.

However a non-Jew may become a Jew in order to marry a Jewish person. Once all the above steps are fulfilled, the converted person would be as Jewish as the next Jew.

Judaism is more of a race than other religions but not in the genetic sense of the word. E.g, I couldn't become a black person no matter how much I wanted to, but I could become a Jew.

So Judaism is NOT a race.

[easypeasy]

not true to be a jew youve got to be born a jew..........

[Sunny_01]

I imagine this thread was created in response to me locking a thread saying I felt it was racially motivated!. Rex whether it be religous or race, it was over the top so it stays locked!

[Lauren]

Originally posted by easypeasy
not true to be a jew youve got to be born a jew..........

Which are also traits of a religion.

I'm sticking with religion.

[spacebandit]

Originally posted by easypeasy
not true to be a jew youve got to be born a jew..........

Not true, converts to Judaism are regarded as non-exclusive and are regarded as "Jewish" exactly the same as those born to the faith.

Once you meet the halachic requirements of conversion and have been certified by a beth din - you are a jew...full stop

[cepb]

Originally posted by easypeasy
not true to be a jew youve got to be born a jew..........

It is possible to convert to Judaism although this is discouraged. The main reasons for conversion would be to marry a Jewish person. A Jewish convert would be just as Jewish as the the next Jew.

[rex3]

My knowledge, of the old Jewish beliefs is that your not allowed to convert becuase the Jewish Spirit runs through the Blood Line or something like that.

[cepb]

Originally posted by rex3
My knowledge, of the old Jewish beliefs is that your not allowed to convert becuase the Jewish Spirit runs through the Blood Line or something like that.

You may be right and possibly in some of the extreme orthodox sects of the religion today, conversion is not possible. However I do know that all Jewish faiths discourage conversion because of responsability that Jews have, and if someone decides to convert and can't keep all 613 mitzvohs Rabbis would rather an aspiring Jew didn't convert at all. But conversion is possible although it's a long process of study and circumsission. Many Rabbis turn away a person wanting to convert three times before accepting, this is to make sure that they really do want to convert.

[spacebandit]

Originally posted by rex3
My knowledge, of the old Jewish beliefs is that your not allowed to convert becuase the Jewish Spirit runs through the Blood Line or something like that.

That is Hasidism - even then you can "convert" to Orthodoxy, though the fundamentals are different than what they are with non Jews. Though once you leave you cannot return.

[nodisharmony]

If you are a Jew, then you might have to follow religious rules in life, whether you like it or not.

Luckily, I don't have to worry about fuc*ing stupid things like that.

Freedom and enjoyment is better than sitting down praying by force from peer-pressure.







nodisharmony