Michael Richards: Still Not a Jew

The Jewish Journal ^ | 11/27/2006 | Staff

[ChicagoHebrew]

Amusing: Michael Richards has advertised himself as being Jewish for years, but he ain't. Not born Jewish, not raised Jewish, no conversion (not even a reform conversion), nothing.

Reminds me of the old dracula parody where Dr. Van Helsing changes his name to "Rubinstein" for professional reasons, so he can fit in better with all the other doctors.

[ChicagoHebrew]

Ping to you.

[Brad from Tennessee]

I get it. "Kramer" pretended to be Jewish in order to get ahead in a profession where Jews traditionally excel.

[ChiMark]

I guess the joke's on us. So many people I've heard just
assumed Richards eas Jewish because of Seinfeld.
Whose baiting whom?

[D-fendr]

Masonry is not a religion

Hmm.

[Bushwacker777]

So is Judaism a religion or ethnic group? If Richards believes in Judaism and lives according to the laws of Judaism then what should he call himself, a Hindu?

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Agree with the hmm, but there are cases of "Christian" masons, Hindu masons, and probably Jewish masons.

Masons seem a bit suspicious because of their secretiveness, whether or not some of the founding fathers were Masons.

[raccoonradio]

Remember when John Kerry revealed he has Jewish roots? At about the same time, he suffered from prostate cancer
and made a successful recovery. People wondered if he
would make the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast in
South Boston. He did show up, and joked, "Hey, who said
I didn't have the matzoh balls to show up here?"

http://www2.jsonline.com/election2000/ap/mar03/ap-kerry-irish031803.asp

[ChicagoHebrew]

So is Judaism a religion or ethnic group? If Richards believes in Judaism and lives according to the laws of Judaism then what should he call himself, a Hindu?

Most accurately, Judaism is a nationality -- like being American, British or French. You can "convert" to a nationality by being nationalized (i.e. going through the process of getting citizenship), but you must meet the requirements the nation imposes on you.

Richards wasn't born into Am Yisrael (the People of Israel), so he didn't have "citizenship" from birth. And Richards never converted, so he never acquired citizenship. Richards claiming to be Jewish is, roughly speaking, like sort of like a Frenchman claiming to be American despite not having American parents or ever getting American citizenship.

[Brian Allen]

Masonry is Absolutely Not a "religion."

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmgh.

[Brian Allen]

<< Agree with the hmm, but there are (millions) of Christian Masons, Hindu Masons and (hundreds of thousands) of Jewish masons.

Masons seem a bit suspicious because of their secretiveness, (despite that many) of (our nation's) Founding Fathers were Masons. >>

Masons are not "secretive" and any man who believes in One God may qualify to become one. Thus there are also many muslim Masons.

But Masons are frequently misrepresented and are consequentially much maligned and/or defamed.

Hmmmmm?

[Cagey]

When you feel like the only kid in town without a x-mas tree, heres a list of People who are jewish, just like you and me:

David lee roth lights the menorrah,
So do james caan, kirk douglas, and the late dinah shore-ah

Guess who eats together at the karnickey deli,
Bowzer from sha-na-na, and arthur fonzerrelli.

Paul newmans half jewish; goldie hawns half too,
Put them together--what a fine lookin jew!

You dont need deck the halls or jingle bell rock
Cause you can spin the dreidl with captain kirk and mr. spock--both jewish!


Put on your yalmulka, its time for hanukkah,
The owner of the seattle super sonic-ahs celebrates hanukkah.

O.j. simpson-- not a jew!
But guess who is...hall of famerrod carew--(he converted!)

We got ann landers and her sister dear abby,
Harrison fords a quarter jewish--not too shabby!

Some people think that ebeneezer scrooge is,
Well, hes not, but guess who is:all three stooges.

So many jews are in show biz--
Tom cruise isnt, but I heard his agent is.

Michael Richards has even made the claim,
but now we're wondering about his fame

Tell your friend veronica, its time you celebrate hanukkah
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely, lovely hanukkah.

[D-fendr]

I'm not one of those who malign masons.

If you define religion as who God is and what is man's relationship to God, then Masonry is a religion. Very obviously so.

With the exception, I believe, of Southern Baptist, mainstream Christian Churches see Masonry as contrary to their creed. I'm Roman Catholic and it is not condoned in our church.

I realize that for many Masons, it is a fraternal-only, social committment. But if one studies and believes its principles and theology, one is part of a religion.

thanks for your reply.

[D-fendr]

Sorry, my last post was to you also...

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Also not one to necessarily malign Masons, but would be suspicious. Though it could definitely not be the case, by being so secretive, it seems as though they have something to hide. To be honest, would be uncomfortable being solely with a group of Masons in a secluded, isolated place; sort of the same thing with Muslims. One, in ordinary society, with other people, could seem innocuous, again, as with a Muslim, but it is what goes on in private that is at issue.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

If Masons were more forthcoming about what they believe (at all levels), then there would not be as much suspicion. The fact is though, whether it is the case or not, that Masons are known for being secretive.

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemason

While Wikipedia is not the most accurate of sources (whether or not it compares with the Encyclopaedia Britannica), is does show the common perceptions, in this case, of masons.

[Brian Allen]

<< The fact is though, whether it is the case or not, that Masons are known for being secretive. >>

The fact is that FReemasons are absolutely not secretive.

The other fact is that FReemasons are often maligned by folks quite willing to lie bur unwilling to acknowledge and/or to accept their own ignorance.

[Brian Allen]

<< If you define religion as who God is and what is man's relationship to God, then Masonry is a religion. Very obviously so. >>

Rubbish. A man's relationship to his God and/or his religious beliefs are never discussed among Masons. Nor are his politics.

Masonry, whose principles and tenets (It has no "theology") were included by the Masons who drafted them in this nation's founding Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights is an anonymous fraternity.

There are Masons are of every religion on Earth and most Christian churches, including your own, are very well represented by cardinals and bishops and priests and by other members of their clergy and congregations in lodges throughout the land and throughout the world:.

[D-fendr]

I'm sorry, you're misinformed. I'll address my church and Masonry first.

Personally, when I started my conversion process, RCIA, I asked if there was anything that I should disclose that would prevent my confirmation. The only question asked in reply was "Are you a Mason?"

From an official source, here's the most recent Vatican decree on the matter:

Issued by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on November 26, 1983.

It has been asked whether there has been any change in the Church's decision in regard to Masonic associations since the new Code of Canon Law does not mention them expressly, unlike the previous Code.

This Sacred Congregation is in a position to reply that this circumstance is due to an editorial criterion which was followed also in the case of other associations likewise unmentioned inasmuch as they are contained in wider categories.

Therefore the Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.

It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the Declaration of this Sacred Congregation issued on 17 February 1981 (cf. AAS 73 [1981] pp. 240-241).

In an audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect, the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this Declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this Sacred Congregation.

Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 26 November 1983.

JOSEPH Card. RATZINGER
Prefect

+ Fr. JEROME HAMER, O.P.
Titular Archbishop of Lorium Secretary

Time permitting, I address your other point tomorrow.

thanks for your reply.