[lews]

What is it that defines wether one is Jewish? Is it a religion or a nationality?

Is it possible to not believe in the Jewish religion and still be a Jew?

I've heard many Jewish folk refer to themselves as non-practicing Jews. According to the logic of those in this article that is not a valid position.

[MarkL]

I've heard many Jewish folk refer to themselves as non-practicing Jews. According to the logic of those in this article that is not a valid position.

It's not any different than being a "lapsed Catholic," or any sort of Christian who doesn't go to church, even on Easter or Christmas. It simply means that one has chosen not to participate in a religion, but you still relate to that religion, at least periferally. It's not, however the same as atheism.

In many cases, it's simply a lack of interest or laziness.

Mark

[Gil4]

The Jewish heritage is both national and religious, so there are (many) people who are Jews in nationality only. Jews for Jesus makes perfect sense because one does not cease to be a Jew (in the national sense) upon becoming a Christian any more than one ceases to b an American upon becoming one.

I believe the term Jew derives from Judah, one of the 12 tribes. After the reign of Solomon the nation was split into the northern kingdon (which retained the name Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Judah was the tribe with the biggest chunk of land.

[Binghamton_native]

The people that get so upset about Jews for Jesus claim that anyone recognizing Jesus Christ as the Messiah is no longer Jewish. Funny, I've never heard them say that an atheistic Jew (no God) is no longer Jewish.