I'm thinking of converting from Catholic to Jewish. I'm serious. don't laugh!!!!?

Question

What are the pros and cons of converting to this religion. MY mom and dad says taht as longs as I have a religion it's ok, as I'm an adult and old enough to do what I want. So explain to me what are the pros and cons of juedaism.

i might or might not.

"don't do it. we don't want you."

why not?

"you ask why -- because judaism doesn't want anyone who is "thinking" of conversion. a real convert has no question -- he tackles the unbelievably long and difficult task because he is driven to do it. You have questions and that's nice. But Judaism doesn't require that you convert in order to reach heaven. So don't do it."

then I will do what it takes because i'm tired of the Catholic religion.

and the only reason i'm asking is because i don't want to make a mistake, but it looks like asking this in itself is a BIG mistake!

by the way i'm a girl if you cared to read my bio so I cannot be circumsized so yeah me?!!

plus Ross from Friends is jewish and so is Omri Katz, my Celeb crush and I grew up with friends who were JEwish and attended their batmitzvahs and barmizvahs!!

and most of the jews I've met were nice to me! They are not racist bastards!! Except maybe you rosends!!! Think before you speak!!

plus i like the 8 gifts a day for X-mas instead of one!

"don't do it. we don't want you."

Not to sound weird but who are you to judge anyway? that I should or should not do it? even if you say that Jews discourage conversion. Anyway don't bother responding, it's useless.

"think before [you] speak"??
I'm speaking from the informed religious jewish perspective. we don't encourage conversion, we discourage it. You have a lot to learn...

I can't believe you are going as far as picking a fight with someone on the internet you disagree with. Why instead of saying "don't do it we doin't want you", why couldn't you just have been nice about it instead of being an asshole and say: "I wouldn't reccomend it as being a Jew myself, we discourage conversion" instead of what you said.

Anyway I feel fine with being Jewish if I did convert!

Answer 1

I am Catholic so I will provide you the con of the action.

You have been baptised into the community of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. You have received Christ's Body and Blood at Mass.

Judaism is a fine religion and I respect those who are Jewish. However, they were born and raised Jewish. You, on the other hand, at one point believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and received His flesh into your body.

A religion is not a hobby. It is not a club to belong to. You cannot choose what you think you like the best. Judaism does not agree with this any more than Christianity does.

You act like you are buying a car and looking for the biggest bang for you buck and don't want to buy a lemon. This is not how God works whether you are Jewish or Christian. If I were you I would rethink just what each religion says their religion is. Because both do not say it is something you can just whimsically choose based upon a list of positives and negatives.

I have the feeling that you don't go to Mass very often. If that is the case then it is obvious why you are leaving the Church. Would I also be correct in saying that you have not read an encyclical or even the writings of any of the Doctors of the Church? What about just reading a modern day apologist like Scott Hahn? Have you really thought this through and truly think you understand Catholicism and find it unappealing? I believe you may be Catholic, but have a misperception of your faith. Your parents have not taught you what Catholicism believes because Catholicism does not believe that as long as you have religion it is ok. It flies in the face of what Christ and the Catholic Church say about religion.

I would strongly suggest that before you leave a faith that you have accepted (remember from Baptism the Holy Spirit is in you) you should come to understand just what you are leaving. Because it is no little thing to convert from the Catholic Church. If you had once believed in Christ then you are sinning by leaving your faith in Him.

Answer 2

The experience that you would have converting from Catholicism to Judaism largely depends on what sect you are thinking about joining.

All across the board, Judaism is a religion that does not proselytize. In fact, rabbis (Jewish equivalent of a priest, I suppose) are required to attempt to discourage those seeking to convert several times, to make sure that it's what they really want to do. However, Orthodox Jews are much stricter in terms of the process of conversion, while Conservative and Reform Jews tend to be more tolerant of it.

Conversion is, ultimately, a very personal decision that can't really be measured in pros and cons. Sure, you could go through a checklist - Catholics can eat ham, Jews can't; Catholics have to confess once a week, Jews only once a year - but ultimately, that's meaningless. What matters is which religion you truly believe in, and which one provides you with answers, solace, and a community that you're happy with. And that's up to you. If you want guidance, however, I would suggest speaking both to the priest at your church and also to the rabbis of various synagogues in your area to get a better feel for both religions.

As a Jew, I can't tell you that my religion is "right" or any better than Catholicism, but I can tell you that that it has done well by me (I was born Jewish, however). Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

Answer 3

Leaving Catholicism for anything is at worst a lateral move-it can not get worse, except to Islam. To Judaism is not the best move, although you may learn a little about God and the Old Testament. The best move you could make would be into Christianity. I know some think that Catholicism is Christian, but it is pseudo-Christianity, and there is a big difference. Most Christian Apologist place Catholicism in the cults. I would try Baptist, Independent Christian, or even some more conservative Pentecostal. Look on line at the Apologetics Index. They have most cults listed. You don't want to move from one cult to another one. That would be wasted energy with no gain.

Answer 4

don't do it. we don't want you.

you ask why -- because judaism doesn't want anyone who is "thinking" of conversion. a real convert has no question -- he tackles the unbelievably long and difficult task because he is driven to do it. You have questions and that's nice. But Judaism doesn't require that you convert in order to reach heaven. So don't do it.

"think before [you] speak"??
I'm speaking from the informed religious jewish perspective. we don't encourage conversion, we discourage it. You have a lot to learn...

Answer 5

Don't convert to judaism convert to atheism. Think about it where is the proof of god? Ignore your mum and dad if your an adult and as you say old enough to do what you want think. Think about what evidence there is of god and you will find that there isn't any so why believe in god. And the beauty of atheism is that you can change your mind if you find you are wrong and you can believe what ever the evidence leads you to. I'm an atheist and it's better than any religion.

Answer 6

Your parents are giving you bad advice. Christ didn't establish His Church on earth, just so we could do as we please.
He said, "No one comes to the Father, but through Me." The Church (Catholic) is His Church and we are all called to be members of His body... Remember the parable about the king and the feast, wherein he invited so and so and him and they all made excuses why they couldn't show up? It was the Jews, who had the true religion, who were invited. Well, God said, then, since they don't want to partake of what I have to offer, I'll invite everyone else. So He invited the Gentiles (non-Jews) to the feast. Those who choose not to participate (and abide by His commandments, of course) are gonna be left outside. Outside the kingdom of heaven, that is.
Judaism is a defunt religion. Christianity replaced it, 2000 years ago. It is worse than useless to join a defunct (now false) religion.

Answer 7

Judaism is an old, tradition filled religion. It fascinates alot of people. Go and speak to a Rabbi, read the Old Testament. You are searching and whatever helps you through life is good so long as you do no harm.

Answer 8

Before you do, please read and deeply consider this:

"14. This Sacred Council wishes to turn its attention firstly to the Catholic faithful. Basing itself upon Sacred Scripture and Tradition, it teaches that the Church, now sojourning on earth as an exile, is necessary for salvation. Christ, present to us in His Body, which is the Church, is the one Mediator and the unique way of salvation. In explicit terms He Himself affirmed the necessity of faith and baptism(124) and thereby affirmed also the necessity of the Church, for through baptism as through a door men enter the Church. Whosoever, therefore, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ, would refuse to enter or to remain in it, could not be saved." -LUMEN GENTIUM, POPE PAUL VI, NOVEMBER 21, 1964
http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V2CHURCH.HTM

The Catholic faith is very beautiful if you actively and prayerfully pursue knowledge of it and try to live it. Why do you want to leave the only Church which was founded by Jesus (God in the flesh) Himself? We are all family, and we love you. Don't leave.

Answer 9

You don't need to convert, you can live as a righteous gentile. Plus you would have to deal with anti-semitism. And then there is the little matter of circumcision.

Plus 99% of rabbis who would convert you would demand that you renounce the Messiah that you currently follow. I would think that your parents would be upset about that.

Answer 10

Go for it---its a much chiller religion and doesn't have a sh*t load of annoying rules and you'll go to hell stuff. I am not but maybe I will convert too! By the way why did you say don't laugh. If you think people would laugh that means you think there is something to be embarrassed about ---maybe you should think about it.