[KellyAdmirer]

It is true that Jewish population losses have been also due to assimilation, but this assimilation was itself overwhelmingly a result of persecution -- forced conversions, desire to lead a far safer life as part of the majority culture, etc.

There is some shaky logic in this article, and this is among the shakiest.

[goldstategop]

Assimilation generally works except if you have a racist antisemite like Hitler come along who wants to murder every Jew regardless of whether they still are part of the Jewish people or not. The relentless persecution of Jews explains why some Jews leave the Jewish people - who wants to be part of a depised, hated and persecuted minority? What's remarkable is that most Jews have clung to their faith despite all the odds against them... that in itself is a testament to Jewish conviction their sufferings and hardships are part of God's plan to bring about a better world.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[gleeaikin]

Some Jews assimilated to avoid persecution.

I am not as knowledgeable about other parts of the world, but in Spain when Ferdinand and Isabela (around 1492) finally drove the Moors out of Spain, they insisted the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or also be expelled from the country. Both Moors and Jews left in large quantities which seriously hampered Spains intellectual development. Jews who stayed were labeled Conversos and not trusted. This was the time of the Spanish Inquisition, when large numbers of "heretics" were tried and burned at the stake.

[papertyger]

There is some shaky logic in this article, and this is among the shakiest.

Please elaborate.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

There is some shaky logic in this article, and this is among the shakiest.

What exactly do you find shakey? Assimilation as a result of persecution or their desire to lead a safe life?