Why should a Jew REFUSE to become a Xtian?

Question

Only serious answers.

Answer 1

Because there is absolutely nothing positive that Xianity has to offer me that I as a Jew do not already posess without it. Absolutely nothing. So there is no reason for me to abandon my satisfying faith and walk with God in Tikkun Olam for what they offer.

In addition, if I were to reject Judaism and abandon it for Xianity, I would be embracing a belief that makes a human a deity..something I cannot do.

Judaism does not claim that only Jews have exclusive right or knowledge of God or that only Jews merit blessing and atonement. That is something said ABOUT Judaism ( and mostly by Christians) In fact, throughout the Tanakh righteous gentiles are mentioned who were blessed..

Now..as to the people who have a problem with saying Xianity or Xian ( I see the t as rednundant)
It was CHRISTIANS who began using the X as a shorthand for the word CHRIST. It wasn't NON Christians that imposed this onto you.

It wasn't non-Christians who put all those Do not open until X-mas ( meaning CHRISTMAS) stickers on packages.

Lastly, the "Jews for Jesus" organization is comprised of more than 80 percent membership that never even had a Jewish Bubbe( grandmother)..and it is not a Jewish organization but a Christian evangelic organization fully funded and supported and run by Christians. Their statement of beliefs are identical to the Southern Baptist, their founding organization. The "messianic" movement is not a Jewish schism..but an assault on Judaism by some Protestant Christian organizations who appeal to the secular and disenfranchised of Jewish heritage for conversion. They're not successful with Jews who know Judaism. Because there are so few real Jews in it..any Jew who converts will quickly rise to the level of "teacher" for lecturing as a few of them have done here in my part of the country..a Jew who self-admittedly knew nothing about Judaism before he began studying with the "messianics", now lectures about Jewish belief to CHURCHES..with the beliefs he teaches of course..being Christian dogma cloaked in Jewish terminology..but because he has a Jewish sounding name and said he was a Jew...they consider him an AUTHORITY ON JUDAISM!
If you want to learn what any faith group believes..as adherents of that religion.
I don't go to Catholics to learn about Islam and I suggest you don't go to Christians to learn about what Jews believe..speaking of that..the site below is a great place to start

http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org < a good place to explore the differences in the religions

Answer 2

First of all, what is your question? Are you asking as a Jew who is being pushed by missionaries or a non-Jewish girlfriend to convert, G-d forbid? Or are you asking as a X-tian who can't understand why we would rather die than join you? Snarky and Mama_pajamas gave very good answers. Unfortunately I can't vote yet! But you really need to clarify exactly what you're asking.

Jews have 3 commandments for which we must die rather than do -- idolatry, adultery, and murder. X-tianity, according to the Torah, falls into the first category. We do not deify people. Throughout our history, in Spain in the time of the Inquisition, in Europe, and particularly during the Holocaust, and other such situations, our forefathers and -mothers gave up their lives rather than convert. We have something beautiful and holy, and choose to LIVE our lives according to our precious Torah law. If you are a Jew who is being coerced to convert, go to www.askmoses.com or www.chabad.org, and get reinforcement in knowing your own beliefs. (The latter site will guide you to a local orthodox rabbi, who can help you. See "Centers.")

Answer 3

Because the belief that God would become human is the ultimate heresy! Islam is closer to Judaism than Christianity. They don't worship a man-made god, and they don't believe in human sacrifice.

In addition, why would I believe in a god that condemns "non-believers" to eternal torment, regardless of how they've led their life here on earth?

Study the history of both Judaism and Christianity and decide for yourself whether you would prefer the pacifism of Judaism or the militarism of Christianity.

From "Judaism for Everyone" by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach:
…Jews felt that, in Christianity, their core teachings had been perverted and abused. They read some of the New Testament’s insidious attacks against them and wondered how a book claiming divine authorship can be so blatantly anti-Semitic. Although Christianity stemmed from Jewish origin, it took the concept of the Jewish God and associated it with a man; took the concept of sacrifice and associated it with a human sacrifice. Christianity took their cherished Torah and said that it had been superseded by a new testament. And finally, it took the concept of the chosen nation itself, claimed that the Jews had been abandoned by God, and called themselves the new Israel. Jews reacted with outrage. The Jews withdrew from mainstream Christian society. Christians’ burning Jews at the stake as heretics would do little to make them draw closer.
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Answer 4

I should think it a bit of an insult really as Christianity broke out of Judaism as a sect in the first place. Jewish life has remained much the same, it is Christianity that has split, sundered and broken into thousands of variants over the last two thousand years. Judaism is the more mature and the founder of monotheism. Jewish thought and philosophy, learing and culture has much to teach us whilst Christianity would do well to get its act together and start singing from the same hymn sheet..

Answer 5

Because they're Jewish? Perhaps they truly believe Jesus was not the messiah - there's enoug evidence against it. Perhaps they believe the Jewish belief of "once a jew, always a Jew".

Perhaps they prefer to pray to God directly rather then through an intermediary.

Why a Jew though, why not a Muslim or a hindu or a buddhist?

Answer 6

Perhaps it has something to do with being part of a culture that traces its roots back about 4000 years. Perhaps because Christians have persecuted, tortured, and killed their ancestors for about 1500 of those years (most recently by Nazis in the period of 1938-1945). Perhaps because Christianity is silly: why would a GOD care if a human believed in him/her and punish unbelivers with torment. What sort of behavior is that for a GOD? I certainly would never worship such a evil creature. I honestly cannot understand why anyone would become a christian.

Answer 7

For the same reason that a Xtian will refuse to become a Muslim or Atheist.
They are trained to think that theirs is the only way.
Just like the Born Again Christians.

Answer 8

Why should an Xtian refuse to become an athiest?

Answer 9

Possibly for the same reason a Christian might refuse to convert to Judaism; each has his/her own belief system.

A friend's son once sorted all this out when he was about 8 or 9 years old. He said Jesus was the son of God and Jesus was Jewish, therefore God must be Jewish too (since Jesus was His son). Out of the mouths of babes....

Answer 10

There is no reason for a Jew to become a Christian unless he or she wants to. The Jewish religion is ancient (predates Christianity and is some of the foundation of Christianity) and a beautiful religion.