American Jews wrestle with whether to suggest non-Jewish spouses convert

Boston Herald ^ | 09/21/2006 | Associated Press

[hlmencken3]

Non-Jews become Jews essentially the same way the first Jews became Jews.

Aside from exclusive allegiance to the Jewish people, EXODUS records that they were circumcised, offered sacrifices, and immersed in a mikveh ('sanctified').

Even though converts can not now offer sacrifices, they are obliged to do so once the Temple is rebuilt.

[Melas]

Jews don't believe that non-Jews go to hell.

[Nachum]

This guy dumped his Jewish wife (and 4 kids) for a hot shiksa, whom he converted, of course.

kosher pork?

[familyop]

"Non-Jews become Jews essentially the same way the first Jews became Jews.

Aside from exclusive allegiance to the Jewish people, EXODUS records that they were circumcised, offered sacrifices, and immersed in a mikveh ('sanctified').

Even though converts can not now offer sacrifices, they are obliged to do so once the Temple is rebuilt."

As far as I know, those words are the greatest charity that I've received during this special time. Thank you. Have a beautiful early morning and a peaceful, joyful tomorrow evening.

[onedoug]

Deuteronomy 4:19 & Malachi 1:11.

"If I knew God I'd be Him."

[jmc813]

That's the problem with major religions. They each preach that all the others will go to hell. It's not a big leap to the position that you might as well kill those unbelievers right now. It even happens within the major religions. Shi'ite vs Sunni, Catholic vs Protestant.

Your last example is absolutely wrong. Protestants don't think Catholics will go to hell and vice versa.

[Señor Zorro]

Not quite! While the Catholic church says that IF YOU BELIEVE IT TO BE THE TRUE church, but do not embrace it, you will be lost, it also says that you must follow your conscience. We all start from different points and have different influences in our lives.

Which is heresy: "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (emphasis mine)

[Señor Zorro]

That's the problem with major religions. They each preach that all the others will go to hell.

Is it a problem if it is accurate? The way you talk, it sounds like religions are just commodities to be picked off a shelf for their pure aesthetic value.

[Dog Gone]

Yes, it's a problem, because they can't all be correct or accurate. And when you have large groups of people who think their way is the only way it tends to lead to conflict with opposing groups who also feel religious superiority.

It's started a lot of wars in the history of the world beginning from biblical times to the present day.

[Dog Gone]

Sorry, but some do. I provided examples on the thread.

[Jaysin]

Yes we do.

my Rabbi has 5 children and over 54 grandchildren (with room for a few more to come)

my wife comes from a fairly modern orthodox family (her mother has 4 siblings and her father 2--my wife has over 30 first cousins and 1 more is on the way)

[Dodgers fan]

My ex is Catholic; our son is raised Jewish - but he knows a lot about Catholicism - he prefers Judaism. I know Christians who converted to Judaism when they married Jews - but they claim that eventually they would have converted; the marriage gave them the push to do it. If it is not sincere, you should not do it.

[Dodgers fan]

I hear similar stories - people who converted to Judaism because of marriage but apparently were interested in the religion before they married. I also hear of Jews who convert out and then return later on.

[ruthles]

This is obvious to a Christian. But I've heard that Mormons are not frowned upon for marrying outside their faith. It's seen as an outreach. Most Jews see "Jewishness" as their nationality. They think such a saying as "Jews for Jesus" is impossible and ridiculous.

[Dodgers fan]

My understanding is that there is an afterlife and that the mystics believe in a hell and even a purgatory but that you are not supposed to do good deeds "to get into heaven". You are not supposed to bargain with G-d to have a great after life. What is your knowledge of this? I was told that the idea that we do not believe in an afterlife is false; that we do; but that we do not emphasize it.

[thomaswest]

Belief in psychics, magnetic bracelets, unicorns or an afterlife do not mean that these actually exist or have unnatural powers.

It is quite possible that doing "good deeds" here in the only life we are sure of is its own reward.