Why are so many Jews liberal?

Question

The question is entirely legitimate since Jews (outside of Israel) are indeed overwhelmingly liberal and disproportionately left of liberal as well. For example, other than blacks, no American group votes so lopsidedly for the Democratic Party. And the question is further sharpened given that traditional Jewish values are not leftist. That is why the more religiously involved the Jew, the less likely he is to be on the Left. The old saw, "There are two types of Jews — those who believe Judaism is social justice and those who know Hebrew," contains more than a kernel of truth.

Answer 1

Because they worship their political party ahead of their God. This is consistent with the Bible.

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Answer 2

To what authority are you allowed to make a statement like this? I don't feel as though you have any understanding of our Religion.

Although as a Jew I will agree with you that a majority of Jewish people I know are Democrats, it is simply because of of a Jewish value Tikun Olam (which means to repair the world) It is instilled in us from a young age in Religious School that we must do what is right to assist the downtrodden, and to support equality. That we must do what we can to fix the world and last time I checked the Republican party, does not support social safety nets, they are waging an unjust war which does not help this world, and they are apathetic to those with differences. Doesn't Sound to me like they are about making the World a better place.

Also in Judaism we are taught to question and interpret what our Religion means to us, not just to sit there and accept everything we are told.

So to sum it up we are Liberal because we have hearts and because we think.

Also one more thing don't use the term "Jew" it is derogatory use "Persons of Jewish Faith"

Answer 3

Jews saw liberal leanings as the most adept in addressing and helping in social issues and ensuring equality among people. Judaism is all about "repairing the world" and Jews saw this best expressed in liberalism.
Today's "liberalism" is marked by cowardice and placating third world dictators. It's nothing Thomas Jefferson would have called Liberalism.
There are A LOT of confused Jews out there.

Answer 4

I would say it's a protection mechanism. Say you are Jewish and you don't want everyone to think you are a hawk since this is what they're going to assume by default (see Joe Lieberman). So, what do you do? you become a liberal. You still believe in fiscal responsibilities, less taxes, smaller government the works (see Arnold) but you are suddenly very concerned with human rights, the right to choose and no guns in school. So what does this make you? a liberal? not sure about that. Liberal is a very confusing word. You see, when you tell me someone is liberal, I would think she is really open to new ideas etc. Is that what the left is?

Answer 5

I think the difficulty of understanding must come down to an understanding of what is "conservative" and what is "liberal".

The dictionary definition of liberal suggests someone who advocates individual freedom and civil liberties.
The dictionary definition of conservative is opposition to change. In the American mind, that means dedication to our constitution, which is already pretty liberal in that it supports individual freedom and civil liberties. The conflict between liberal and conservative traditionally has come in areas where extending those civil liberties is accomplished through breaking with tradition. Otherwise, the American society has traditionally been unified.

None of this has much to do with Judaism or religion at all, except for two things:

1. Freedom of Religion is a highly valued American liberal tradition, and therefore would be supported by both liberals and traditionalists.
2. Religion is based in tradition, and therefore tends to gain support from conservatives. But usually only where that tradition is the mainstream tradition of that nation. In the U.S., Judaism clearly was not the core tradition on which the nation was based, and thus, this is probably why Jews have always felt as though they shouldn't be too "conservative" in this society.

Finally, I think you are right to suggest that many Jews are not focused so much on the religion as they are on so-called "social justice" issues, and for this, they will tend to support the more "progressive" political candidates, who have been masquerading as "liberal" in this country for generations, even though such progressive ideas often dismantle the freedoms that true liberals should be expected to support.

Answer 6

Probably because on average, they tend to be better educated. And especially given their history, the intolerance of the Conservative base probably disgusts them, much the way it does the rest of the thinking people on the planet.

However there are Jewish conservatives. The Republican party is a staunch support of Israel and that helps. Of course they reason they "support" Israel is that the uber-Christian right wants the Third Temple built on the temple mount so the Muslins will go crazy and set the world on fire and Christ can return.

Answer 7

Well, 90% percent of Evangelical Christians vote disproportionately right. Also, it's possible tio be politcally liberal and morally conservative. Religion and philosphy are two different belief systems.

Religion has to do with your belief of the afterlife and of a Higher Power. Philosophy has to do with your beliefs of this life. There are many philosophical questions that are not answered by one's set of religious beliefs (school vouchers, social security, etc.).

With this said, there are many Jews who have very high moral values but refuse to vote Republican because they also believe that high morality calls for social justice. There is nothing wrong with social justice. I suggest reading "God's Politics" by Jime Wallis. He is an Evangelical Christian. His book talks about how many Evangelicals have aligned themselves too closely with the Republican party and have ignored God's call for social justice. Very good book.

Answer 8

because they have been discriminated against throughout history and are on the side of democratic values such as social equality and civil rights. they are smart enough to know that without social equality they will not succeed politically or economically in whatever society they try to assimilate in. unlike so many cultures, they have learned from history.

Answer 9

Assuming this to be true - could it be because they CAN? They can say/do anything (legal) and not go up a chimney?
Why has everybody forgotten what was done to them in World War II? Not to mention the millenia before and the years after.

Answer 10

For the same reason that most ethnic minorities are Liberal. Conservatism is idealogically intolerant and oppressive of anything outside the dominant culture.