2007-04-25 01:57:38 · 17 answers · asked by dana z 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is NOT a race. Jews come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Asian Jews look like Asians, African Jews look like Africans, European Jews look like Europeans.
Forgoing the conversion process for those born to a Jewish mother does NOT constitute race. Any child born to a Jewish convert (mother) is a Jew.
Judaism is a religion, but there are many secular Jews who continue to practice the traditions of Judaism because it is a culture and a way of life. The traditions of the religion teach us ethics and morals of living together as one loving community.
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2007-04-25 02:16:55 · answer #1 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It can be both. The Jews are decendants of Abraham. However, the Jews have their religion which is called Judiasm(or the Jewish religion). So anyone who practices the Jewish religion (Judiasm) can also be called a Jew.
You can also check out this definitions from the American Heritage Dictionary.
"Jew (j›) n. 1. An adherent of Judaism as a religion or culture. 2. A member of the widely dispersed people originally descended from the ancient Hebrews and sharing an ethnic heritage based on Judaism. 3. A native or inhabitant of the ancient kingdom of Judah. [Middle English Jeu, from Old French giu, from Latin I¿daeus, from Greek Ioudaios, from Aramaic yµhûd³y, from Hebrew yµhûdî, after yµhûdâ, Judah, son of Jacob and Leah.]"
2007-04-25 09:09:04 · answer #2 · answered by Davidkay! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is both.
A person can be born of Jewish decent and yet not practice the religion of Judaism.
A person can be born of another nationality and yet convert to being a believer in Judaism.
A person can be BOTH a Jew by birth (nationality/race) AND a practicer of the religion (Judaism).
2007-04-25 09:06:57 · answer #3 · answered by eliz_esc 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jewish is a religion
2007-04-25 09:03:32 · answer #4 · answered by onoscity 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am not Jewish, but I think it's more of a cultural than anything else.
2007-04-25 11:41:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion. You cannot convert to a race.
2007-04-25 09:02:29 · answer #6 · answered by millajovovichsboyfriend 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is a race based on a religion. their religion touches every part of their lives, especially the stricter ones.
2007-04-25 09:02:11 · answer #7 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only race is the Human one.
2007-04-25 10:41:04 · answer #8 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
ITS a religion waiting for the MESSIA TO COME WHERE CHRISTIANS SAID HE CAME & NO MORE WHILE MOSLEMS SAYS NO, OURS IS THEW LAST ONE
ITS A RELIGION BUT U C.. ITS LIKE LIFE JUST A POINT OF VEIW
MAY GOD BLESS U
2007-04-25 09:07:34 · answer #9 · answered by Dr. Wassef 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can convert to Judaism, so it's not a race. You can be born a Jew, so it's not a religion. It's neither; it's both.
2007-04-25 09:01:30 · answer #10 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋