How does one convert to Judaism?

[Buck Birdseed]

Originally posted by St Leo
I am pretty sure mainstream Hinduism doesn't actively seek converts either.

What, you've never been accosted by a Hare Krishna?

Actually, it's a very active expansionistic religion. However, unlike monotheistic religions, it assimilates rahter than converts. The vast majority of Hindu gods are local deities of one form or another that have been given a place in the Hindu hierarchy, with the god's followers usually, er, following. You'll find both Jesus and Mary are part of the Hindu pantheon these days...

[chequita guevara]

Okay, what if your mother was Jewish but she converted before you were born, are you Jewish or not?

[gunkulator]

The one rabbi I have talked to mentioned the ritual turning away 3 times but also added that a rabbi is supposed to logically argue against your conversion.

The argument goes something like this: Jews don't believe you need to be Jewish to gain the favor of God. You need not even necessarily believe in God to be righteous and good in his eyes. However, Jewish people are expected to follow all the 600+ laws laid out in the Bible. To fail in this is to lose favor in His eyes. Why would you wish to take on such a burden when it is wholly unnecessary for you to do so?

[Az]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Okay, what if your mother was Jewish but she converted before you were born, are you Jewish or not?

no.

[chequita guevara]

Oh well, guess I'm out, thought it wasn't my mother that converted but one of our ancestors hundreds of years ago. Something about an appointment with Torquemada.

[Az]

That's ok, they didn't really mean it.

[St Leo]

Originally posted by Buck Birdseed


What, you've never been accosted by a Hare Krishna?

Hare Krishnas aren't "mainstream Hinduism".

[cinch]

Originally posted by Ecthelion
has noone else seen that movie?

Sure, lots of people have, myself included.

And I can safely say that I find it HI-larious!

Plus, it has Peter Stormare!

"We are nihilists! We believe in NOTHING!"

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by Azazel


Does that mean that we're about to be flooded with rednecks?

j/k

Yep, but just think about what it will mean for the Israeli Defense Force. Rednecks are some of the best canon fodder in the world. Heck, you might even wind up with your own suicide bomber group. Wouldn't that put a crick in Hammas' neck? Imagine what will happen to their Intifada when the down home folks come down there and start blowing up in Palestinian market places.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Okay, what if your mother was Jewish but she converted before you were born, are you Jewish or not?

Im not sure, I think you probably are. As a general rule under jewish law a conversion to another religion makes you a sinning Jew, it does NOT make you a gentile. I did once ask how many generations this would still apply to ( like what if your great great great grandmother in the maternal line was Jewish, but all subsequent marriages were with Gentiles) and never got a straight answer - of course it was a purely academic question from me and im sure i never asked a great scholar. If it really mattered it would worth pursuing with a rabbi.

Sociologically, most not very religious jews would consider such a person not jewish. Folk jewish culture recognizes atheist jews, but has difficulty with a Christian or muslim Jew - probably because historically a convert out was leaving the community and joining another one, while an atheist was staying in the community and just being contrary. That might also explain why everyone accepts the idea of socialist jewish atheists, but prefers to consider Trotsky and other Bolsheviks of "jewish birth" - Bolshevism involving a more complete rejection of jewish community than say socialism.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by gunkulator
The one rabbi I have talked to mentioned the ritual turning away 3 times but also added that a rabbi is supposed to logically argue against your conversion.

The argument goes something like this: Jews don't believe you need to be Jewish to gain the favor of God. You need not even necessarily believe in God to be righteous and good in his eyes. However, Jewish people are expected to follow all the 600+ laws laid out in the Bible. To fail in this is to lose favor in His eyes. Why would you wish to take on such a burden when it is wholly unnecessary for you to do so?

thats basically it, of course if the rabbi is reform and doesnt consider any non-universal laws as "binding" the situation is different.

[Az]

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove


Yep, but just think about what it will mean for the Israeli Defense Force. Rednecks are some of the best canon fodder in the world. Heck, you might even wind up with your own suicide bomber group. Wouldn't that put a crick in Hammas' neck? Imagine what will happen to their Intifada when the down home folks come down there and start blowing up in Palestinian market places.

I think we just crossed the line form badtasteland into thisissick territories.

[Panag]

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove


Yep, but just think about what it will mean for the Israeli Defense Force. Rednecks are some of the best canon fodder in the world. Heck, you might even wind up with your own suicide bomber group. Wouldn't that put a crick in Hammas' neck? Imagine what will happen to their Intifada when the down home folks come down there and start blowing up in Palestinian market places.

are we supposed to laugh with that now , .....

[Az]

chill, panag.

[Ecthy]

he's old and adult and all, isn't he?

(rumor has it they can't chill )