Judism is a belief system, not a race. There are divisions in that general religion, but “Secular Jew” is a phrase that makes no sense at all.
Judaism is a belief system which transcends race, however, Definition of Jew by Merriam-Webster is - a person belonging to a continuation through descent or conversion of the ancient Jewish people.
Hitler certainly did not care whether they were religious or not.
Just like Islam.
Wrong. It can't be plainer than knowing that one is a Jew when born of a Jewish mother who is a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whether he/she practices the religion of the culture or not.
A proselyte to the religion of Jews can be reckoned as a descendant of Jacob by first (for a male) suffering circumcision, or (for a female) ritual cleansing in the mikvah; followed by suffering ritual cleansing (a second time for the female) to shed allegiance to heathenish ways and commit oneslef to the Jesish culture. However, one's children born before conversion are not reckoned as descendants of Jacob.
The above is my understanding of what comprises the Jewish race. You can look this up in the Jewish Encyclopdeia.
“Judism is a belief system, not a race. There are divisions in that general religion, but “Secular Jew” is a phrase that makes no sense at all.”
The word “Jew” was first used for the descendants of Judah. That title wasn’t a term meant to describe the religious practices of the individual. Many “Jews” were and still are secular and or non-practicing of the religion of Judaism. The title “Jew” stuck with the descendants of Israel and has been used every since.
Thank you!