If a jew is a devout Catholic should he/she still be called a jew?

Question

If a jew doesn't practice judaism,what do you call him or her?

Answer 1

if a Jew converts to another religion he is no longer considered Jewish by the Jewish people, but if he wishes to to return he dose not need to go though a conversion process.

-Rabbi A. Kaplen

Answer 2

A Jew can never be a Catholic. Jew is the name given to people who follow Judaism. However a native of Israel, an Israeli, can definitely be a Catholic. Unfortunately the word Jew and Israeli are often used synonymously. But in truth they are completely different.
Practising ones faith doesn't have any bearing as to whether you still associate your self as being of that faith. So a non-practising Jew can still be a Jew.

Answer 3

This is one of those interesting cases of self-identity vs group-defined identity. Extreme example: I think that I'm the messiah. Does that make me the messiah? Others will call me crazy, insane, drug-induced, etc, but I call myself the messiah? So what am I?

One of my mentors talks about being a "cognitive minority of one." For one's self-imposed identity to take root in a community, s/he can NOT be a cognitive minority of one. I am Jewish not solely because I think that I'm Jewish but also because others think that I'm Jewish.

With regard to the specific question at hand, I'll take the easy way out first and not answer the "should", but "would"; WOULD s/he be called a Jew?

The answer is yes, although most Jews would probably consider him/her an "apikoros" (difficult to define, but basically a Jew that's lost his/her way). This person would always be welcome back within the Jewish community. Halachically ("According to Jewish law") this person would still be a Jew.

The question of should is a different question. It depends first on how one defines "Jew." If the definition requires some sort of Jewish religious belief and observance, then no. If it is defined as one born to a Jewish mother, then yes. Very tricky (and interesting) question!!

Answer 4

If a Jew converts to another faith, he or she is no longer a Jew. However, if a Jew has not converted to another faith, but is only not practicing Judaism, he or she is still a Jew, just not a practicing Jew.

This is very comparable to being a U.S. citizen. If a U.S. citizen becomes a citizen of another country like communist China, he or she is no longer a U.S. citizen. However, if he or she simply does not vote in any election, does not pursue the values of America or of democracy, etc., then they are still U.S. citizens, just not very good citizens.

see::::
http://WhatJewsBelieve.org

Answer 5

A Jew is someone who either is from the tribe of Judah, or a person who lives in the area called Judah. Its that simple.Your first question is answered best by saying yes. The second however is is best answered by saying, Jew.

Answer 6

still Jewish - if your mother was Jewish, you are Jewish, by blood. If they don't practice it, they are still a non-practicing Jew the way i heard it. Be proud of your heritage and you can still be a devout Catholic the way i see it. There are a lot of people for whom this is the case. embrace both!

Answer 7

They are still a Jew by heritage so a Jew.

Answer 8

You should call them a Jew only when in reference to their nationality/race. When speaking about their religion, you'd call them Catholic (or whatever religion they are following.

Answer 9

Then he isn't a Jew, he is a Catholic

Answer 10

No, he/she, to be devout, had to be baptised and thereby becoming a Catholic and thereby denouncing the fact that they should have crucified Jesus.