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I'm speaking as an Agnostic Jew here, and speaking only for myself, although I've got a cousin who's a messianic Jew.

I believe that if you've accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you ARE a Christian. It seems that is the #1 requirement for being a Christian. You might be a Christian with a Jewish Heritage, but let's call a spade a spade.

Since one of the main tenants of the Jewish religion is believing that the Messiah hasn't arrived yet, I don't really see how these diverging requirements can co-exist.

On the other hand, if someone wants to paint themselves blue and call themselves a blueberry, who am I to tell them what they can and can't do?

Next, the question, what's wrong with "Jews for Jesus." Well, if you believe in "truth in advertising," see my first paragraph. Historically, as bad as every calamity that befell Jews were, the greatest danger to the continuation of the Jewish faith is intermarriage and integration into "secular society" (there's a word for it, but I just can't come up with it right now). This is a major point that is mentioned in the Bible (which the white supremecists use for decrying interracial marriage).

The fact is, that in deeply religious Jewish communities, you'll find that there's no problem with it. It's in communities where there is far less belief in their religion, and when people attemtp to get others to convert, it's taken as a direct assault on their religion.

Mark

Since one of the main tenants of the Jewish religion is believing that the Messiah hasn't arrived yet, I don't really see how these diverging requirements can co-exist.

I'm no expert on what the main tenets of Judaism are, so I will accept your claim that this is one of the main tenets of Judaism.

But jstone78 made the point -- which I believe is correct -- that a "Jew" can be an atheist, and nevertheless be accepted as a Jew, whereas a "Jew" who accepts Christianity is not accepted as a Jew. Is it really true that belief in God is not a main tenet of Judaism in the same way that belief that the Messiah has not yet come is? If true, it does seem mighty peculiar.

{"....The fact is, that in deeply religious Jewish communities, you'll find that there's no problem with it. It's in communities where there is far less belief in their religion, and when people attemtp to get others to convert, it's taken as a direct assault on their religion...."}

You make an interesting point. A missionary does not stand much of a chance of seeking converts, in deeply religious communities - Jewish, Muslim, or otherwise.

It has often been noted that those Jews who join the messianic groups, are almost never observant Jews, and are not part of any Synagogue.

Therefore, messianic activity should be seen as beneficial, because unattached Jews who don't observe the Torah, anyway, get to be part of a religious congregation of people who are ethnically Jewish.

That means that a member of a messianic congregation, has a better chance of marrying someone who is ethnically Jewish, than an agnostic Jew who is not involved in Jewish community life in any way.

Rather than driving Jews to extinction through assimilation, messianic congregations help to retain intact Jewish communities.

Jesus and all of the early Believers were Jewish and were labled "Christians" (Christ-like) by the Romans. Jesus spoke in the Synagogues as did Peter, Paul, James and the other apostles. The first Believers frequently met in homes, much later they established churches, or places of worship. Jews for Jesus is an accurate name.

I've always found it odd that "christianity" is considered a western religion. Christianity was born in Bethlehem and preached in Europe and parts of Asia long before moving west.

Next, the question, what's wrong with "Jews for Jesus." Well, if you believe in "truth in advertising," see my first paragraph. Historically, as bad as every calamity that befell Jews were, the greatest danger to the continuation of the Jewish faith is intermarriage and integration into "secular society" (there's a word for it, but I just can't come up with it right now). This is a major point that is mentioned in the Bible (which the white supremecists use for decrying interracial marriage).

I believe you mean the phrase "unequally yoked" which is mentioned in II Corinthians chapter 6 and refers to a matter of faith and not a matter of race.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? - verse 14 (NIV)