Why is it accepted a Jew can become atheist but cannot become Christian?

Question

I meant why are they not considered Jewish anymore by Judaism?

Answer 1

Because an atheist is not embracing another religion; a Jew who who becomes a Christian is then a Christian.

It is impossible to be both Jewish and Christian, or Jewish and Hindu, etc.

Only Jewish religious law gets to define who is Jewish, and it states clearly that if a Jew embraces ANY other religion, they give up membership in the Jewish community.

Could a person be both Muslim AND Catholic?
No

Hindu AND Protestant?
No.

Why should it be any different with Judaism and Christianity?

Christianity contradicts almost all that Judaism stands for.

For more details, http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/

EDIT

- the above answerers, though many are well meaning, are wrong. Let me clarify

Suppose you follow a political party, let's say - if in the UK - Labour. Let's also say that the Tories believe the exact opposite, which of course in theory they do! One party is left, one is right. Their policies DIRECTLY contradict one another.

Could you support both at the same time? Of course not! Because they directly CONTRADICT each other!

It's the same with Judaism and, in this instance, Christianity. Christian beliefs DIRECTLY OPPOSE those of Judaism.

We have nothing but respect for Christians, and we support your right to follow your chosen religion. All we ask is the same respect back. So for instance, please don't state that Christianity is 'completed Judaism' - it is not.

So called 'jews for jesus' and other 'messianic jewish' groups ARE CHRISTIAN. They were originally set up by Christian groups for the sole purpose of attracting 'real' Jews to Christianity. These people should be proud of their Christian faith, and should be open about it. But instead, they distort what Judaism is actually standing for, and that is wrong and very disrespectful to we Jews.

If you want more information with regard to why it is that a person cannot be both Jewish and Christian, then check out this excellent site which explains it all:

http://www.jewsforjudaism.org

JUST TO CLARIFY - a 'messianic synagogue' IS A CHURCH!

A synagogue is a synagogue.

The fact that these groups even call themselves 'messianic jews' betrays such a massive ignorance about Judaism. Judaism is inherently messianic; the Tanakh gives detailed descriptions of how to recognise the real messiah. We don't reject the idea of a messiah. We just don't believe it was Jesus, and the Torah explains why.

EDIT TO OLDSCHOOL

- your answer is great, just one thing I have to comment on :)
Jews are not a 'race'. If we were nobody could convert to Judaism and as you will know, I'm sure, people do. Also, there are Jews all over the world and from all ethnic groups, again proving we are not a 'race'. But I know what you mean; we are clearly not just a religion; we are a nation, a people, a family. Shalom :)

Answer 2

Paperback, as usual, has the complete and REAL answer to this. It has nothing to do with the relationship with the Jews and Christians. It's not unique to Christianity- you can't take another faith about Judaism and remain Jewish. Taking no faith at all is different matter all together, because there's always the blood line aspect of Judaism that makes it a race as much as a religion.

Answer 3

Jews weren't massacred routinely by atheists for 2,000 years.

Understandably, the continued existence of Judaism is of prime importance to Jews, and a Jew can become an atheist and maintain their Jewish identity. They may not believe in God, but the god they don't believe in is still HaShem. If a Jew becomes a Christian, they're following a completely different tradition. Even if they follow a Messianic synagogue, they've still ceased to be Jewish.

Answer 4

What do you mean "cannot become a Christian"? All the earliest Christians, including the apostles, were all Jewish. In fact the issue at the time was not whether Jews can become Christians but rather whether Gentiles can become Christians.

Answer 5

When you become a Christian, then you cannot be a Jew, to be a Jew is a religion,

the Jews do not believe in Jesus as the atheist's do not :)

If a Jew knew about Jesus he would call himself a Hebrew, and a Christian instead of a Jew, the lineage is from the Hebrews not the Jews, the Jews aren't even talked about until Ezra :)

Answer 6

The Jews have rejected God from being king over them, long ago.
(Look it up in 1 Samuel)
Therefore, it is not surprising that they are still looking for a human meshiach.
Of course, they can't accept that a Jew can become a Christian. A person who is a Christian is not a Jew...and a person who is a Jew is not a Christian.
It really is that simple.

Answer 7

That's just not true. There is nothing preventing any Jew from becoming a Christian; there are multiple organizations for Jews-to-Christians converts as well as faiths such as Messianic Judaism that believe in a syncretic mix of orthodox Judaic and Christian teachings.

Answer 8

So, did you learn Pascal wager? You anticipate there's a god and the god is your god. besides, using your analogy. A and B are walking in the direction of a door. the two A & B are do not comprehend if the door is open or closed, yet B thinks that it extremely is opened because of the fact somebody else thinks so and tell him so and B reported he do not comprehend, hence he assumed it extremely is closed. yet A insisted that it extremely is open because of the fact somebody else thinks so. whilst they bypass good in front, it extremely is a basically a wall paper that looks like a door. So hence, A is going for the Holy textual content fabric, B is going for human beings and the Door is God. A - Holy textual content fabric, a e book the place somebody thinks so. B - Human, the place he makes use of his awareness to project a concept. C - God, it would not exist.

Answer 9

I think that we as Christians are to blame. History has had some ugly things that Christians have done to Jews. I think there is many reasons for the rejection of everything Christian.

Answer 10

Not accepted by whom? Christians are certainly accepting of Jews becoming Christians.