melanie@cornell.UUCP (01/15/85)
From: melanie (Melanie Nesheim)
--
Please know that my earlier posting was not intended to have
anything to do with the group known as Jews for Jesus that has
come up in this newsgroup. I don't know anything about them
other than what's been said in this newsgroup, and if that's true
I don't agree with their practices.
Basically I was just interested in why some others thought that a
Jew who believes that Jesus is the promised messiah, is no longer
a Jew. There've been some good responses; thanks!
(By the way, in asking that question and leaving Jews
for Jesus out of it I'm assuming that there do exist Jews who believe
Jesus to be the messiah who are *not* involved with Jews for Jesus. I
have heard this is true, but don't know for sure from my own experience,
not having met any Jews who are (have become) Christians.)
Another question for those (or anyone else who wants to
respond) who feel that Jews who become Christians are no longer Jews:
Strictly in terms of today's beliefs of Judiasm, which says that Jesus
is not the messiah, it makes sense to say they are no longer Jews.
Are they still Jews if you look at heritage and race as well?
That's why I have trouble with the black/white approach of saying
they are not Jews but are Christians, period. By virtue of accepting
Jesus as the messiah, these Jews haven't changed race or necessarily
done away with their heritage, which is why I had always thought
a term like "Christian Jew" would apply. Or maybe some feel that they have
done away with their heritage? Or that without the belief's of current
Judiasm, the race and culture lose meaning? I am interested in other's
ideas on this.
--Melanie Nesheim