“ But Maher, 67, who is Jewish but identifies as an atheist…”
That is impossible. One cannot be identified as a religion, and then be called an atheist.
Jew is not a race.
“Jew is not a race.”
There is such a thing as ethnic Jews - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_ethnic_divisions And many Jews share common DNA markers which only Jews have.
“One cannot be identified as a religion, and then be called an atheist.”
So you’re saying Buddhists do not exist? Buddhism is a religion and classical Buddhism is atheistic.
Also, Maher’s father was Irish Catholic. His mother was of Jewish background. I always knew he was Jewish by how he looked. I was baffled by his last name (clearly Irish) until he once explained it on air.