Jews Only Please?

Question

Do you think of Judaism as a people or as a religion? This was one of the questions in the bet dein and my answer was "a people." I'm curious about others' thoughts.

Yes Brianna. Jews are a race just as Americans are a race.

Answer 1

There is a nice article put out a couple years ago that addresses this issue. I have no clue what paper it was; my apologies. It speculates how a religion does not have state laws like Judaism does (e.g. King, Israeli boundaries, etc.) nor does a nation have religious requirements, that would be a religion, perhaps one bound the country, but a religion in and of itself. Then there is the fact that you are a Jew by birth, regardless of belief.

My answer is that it is clearly a religion. Anyone could join. There was a people who desired to follow in the path of God and God desired them.

Religion is God's will. We keep God's will and he desired to have national laws, with a country, and genetic truth that you are a Jew. It is not just what you believe. It is what is wanted.

We are often regarded as a people by having such close bonds for each other. I address this in other places on Yahoo answers.

In short, people like those whom you have things, especially important things in common with others. Judaism is the most important thing to Jews so that is the most important connection to any one else, creating an international people, beyond time and space.

Answer 2

its complicated but I will give you what I think

Judaism is a religion no question about that

as for the people... if a person calls himself Jewish then he should be a practitioner of Judaism. Unfortunately this is not the case. You have many people that are now Christians or atheists and are from Jewish ancestry in my opinion they are as Jewish as the Pope.

the same thing goes for the term of Jew. It should only be for those who practice Judaism.

Have you ever heard of a Christian atheist or a Hindu Muslim?


that is not to say that a person cannot be from Jewish ancestry due to the fact Jews are looked at as a distinct race.

thats why I think a separate term should be used as Hebrew, Judaite, or Israelite should be used to make the distinction

Answer 3

I'm NOT Jewish, but I think i understand your question, and once had it explained to me.


A NATION is defined by a group of people holding a common:

1) Language (Hebrew)
2) Religion (Judaism)

And by this definition Jews are a NATION.

I could be wrong, but I thought about it, and it kind of makes sense to me.

Answer 4

I know im not jewish but heres how i feel about the whole Jews or Hindus as a race. if Judaism is a race then so is Buddhism.

Answer 5

the thing that makes me think that it is not only a religion is that there are some common physical characteristics among most jews, ie nose shape, darker, curly hair etc. i am jewish and have been confused for a while about this because i have dark curly hair and very tan skin, i do not look white but many people find it odd if i say that i am jewish not white.

Answer 6

It's a people. Some follow the religion, but just because they don't doesn't mean they're not Jewish. My grandmother was the only one in the family, that I know, who followed the religion.

Answer 7

Hi, well I consider Judiasm to be a religon. Since, thats what the word is refering to. However, Jews are considered to be a people- Bnei Yisroel. Its just the word you use shows what its refering to.

Answer 8

Both. Depends on the context.

Unfortunately nobody understands the context of 'the Jewish people,' and think Hitler made this up.

Answer 9

You anti-Gentite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


You should know that perception by both the in and out groups are important!


For shame on your exclusionary tactics!







A nation is a political identity
a people group is a social and cultural one
so the answer is both!!


Take that anti-gentite!