Jewish people: how do you view Christianity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, you got to hand it to him for being clear upfront.

But what he's saying is "My way or the highway." Which is not really very nice.

Well, he's laying down a pretty big dealbreaker, that's for sure. My big concern would be that she would be expected to be secondary in ways other than religion - that his family's tradition, histories, and lore would always be more important than hers, aside from religion. I would want to make clear, if I were her, that the kids were still going to celebrate Christmas with their other grandparents. I would not allow myself to be completely subsumed. Although she can convert and agree to raise the children Jewish, she cannot erase her whole family and history.

But that's exactly what's going on.

The whole thing makes no sense. If religion X is soooooo terribly important to him, why date people outside religion X?

Is it some ego trip? Or some hidden way to proselitize?

I'll go with ego trip -- bending someone completely to your will. Informing them that they must leave anything behind that conflicts in any way with the demands of their spouse's religion. I wouldn't expect religious conversion to be the end of the demands, if the Jewish spouse does not even allow his children to celebrate a secular Christmas with their Christian grandparents.

Ego trip... by the MIL.

She gets to cut her DIL from her religion, traditions, and family, all in one masteful stroke.

And to completely dominate her through guilt and doubt.

[Anonymous]

Jesus was a nice Jewish boy who went into family business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jewish person here, answering the OP's original question.

My view on Christianity, by sect, in no particular order ...

Ethiopian Christianity: No opinion.
Coptic Christianity: Cred for being the oldest surviving form of Christianity. Other than that, I guess it's sorta like Ethiopian Christianity?
Eastern Orthodox: Gonna go out on a limb and lump Greek, Russian, Ukranian, Armenian, and other Balkan state flavors into this group. I like the antiquity of these guys, plus avoiding the whole Mary thing streamlines the religious doctrine. I'm a fan of long services in foreign languages so bonus points there. Excellent uniforms for clergy and there's the incense, which is nice.
Catholicism: I'll be adding Episcopals into this category because setting aside the Pope thing, I can't tell the difference between them. I LOVE Catholicism. You got the antiquity (although a lot younger than the Coptics), you got incense and chanting in foreign tongues, and the uniforms. Solid hierarchy keeps things good and structured for both the religious services and doctrine. The Mary thing throws me for a loop. Why can't you just stay focused on Jesus, people?! I do like the Papacy since it serves as a nice homage to our long-defunct Head Priest of the Temple. Demerits for the Holy Trinity though. You're either a monotheistic religion or polytheistic. Pick a side!
Non-Evangelical Protestantism: Inoffensive.
Evangelical Protestantism: Magic words, wishful thinking, the "Gospel of Prosperity", and snake-handling. Blech. Embarrassing. A blight on Christianity as a whole.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: You might think that based on from my views of Evangelical Christianity I would HATE Mormonism. In fact, I do not. Yeah, it is lacking in the antiquity department and holds Rochester New York in high esteem, but there's something very PROFESSIONAL about LDS. When a Mormon shows up at my door it is readily apparent that this is a Christian sect that cares about the nuts and bolts of converting souls. No skimping on training. And the post-mortem conversion of souls is pure GENIUS. All other religions are mad that Mormons do this because it's a fabulous idea that they didn't come up with. Oh, one last thing ... it pisses me off that I have to keep non-caffeinated beverages around in case Mormons drop by. That is sub-optimal.
Messianic Judaism: The worst.

You didn't answer OP's question, but you are totally entertaining. As an Episcopalian, I'd say you are right about the service and hierarchy being similar, but suggest you give us our own category. The Mary thing just doesn't apply at all to Episcopalians - and certainly not the Pope. Bishop of Canterbury, my friend! LOL

To OP, I think it is very individual. I've known families where one converted to Judaism and they are very happy; and known happy families where they celebrate both major holidays, but those parents aren't usually devout/practicing. Regardless, even when you share the same religion, raising kids is where the rubber meets the road in marriage. You can both be from the same faith and community and still not see eye to eye on how to discipline. I am saying this assuming you worry that your daughter isn't 1) wasting her time; or 2) going to end up unhappy or divorced. Comes down to the two of them.

As an aside, I once dated a Greek-American who ultimately told me he had to marry a Greek girl (it was expected of him). So even within the realm of Christianity, it can get tricky.

[Anonymous]

Jewish people are super smart. I recall in the Bible Jesus’s Dad once said to Jesus stop wearing scandals in the Carpentry shop you may get a nail in your foot.

He did not listen. Jewish men are very wise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jewish person here, answering the OP's original question.

My view on Christianity, by sect, in no particular order ...

Ethiopian Christianity: No opinion.
Coptic Christianity: Cred for being the oldest surviving form of Christianity. Other than that, I guess it's sorta like Ethiopian Christianity?
Eastern Orthodox: Gonna go out on a limb and lump Greek, Russian, Ukranian, Armenian, and other Balkan state flavors into this group. I like the antiquity of these guys, plus avoiding the whole Mary thing streamlines the religious doctrine. I'm a fan of long services in foreign languages so bonus points there. Excellent uniforms for clergy and there's the incense, which is nice.
Catholicism: I'll be adding Episcopals into this category because setting aside the Pope thing, I can't tell the difference between them. I LOVE Catholicism. You got the antiquity (although a lot younger than the Coptics), you got incense and chanting in foreign tongues, and the uniforms. Solid hierarchy keeps things good and structured for both the religious services and doctrine. The Mary thing throws me for a loop. Why can't you just stay focused on Jesus, people?! I do like the Papacy since it serves as a nice homage to our long-defunct Head Priest of the Temple. Demerits for the Holy Trinity though. You're either a monotheistic religion or polytheistic. Pick a side!
Non-Evangelical Protestantism: Inoffensive.
Evangelical Protestantism: Magic words, wishful thinking, the "Gospel of Prosperity", and snake-handling. Blech. Embarrassing. A blight on Christianity as a whole.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: You might think that based on from my views of Evangelical Christianity I would HATE Mormonism. In fact, I do not. Yeah, it is lacking in the antiquity department and holds Rochester New York in high esteem, but there's something very PROFESSIONAL about LDS. When a Mormon shows up at my door it is readily apparent that this is a Christian sect that cares about the nuts and bolts of converting souls. No skimping on training. And the post-mortem conversion of souls is pure GENIUS. All other religions are mad that Mormons do this because it's a fabulous idea that they didn't come up with. Oh, one last thing ... it pisses me off that I have to keep non-caffeinated beverages around in case Mormons drop by. That is sub-optimal.
Messianic Judaism: The worst.

You didn't answer OP's question, but you are totally entertaining. As an Episcopalian, I'd say you are right about the service and hierarchy being similar, but suggest you give us our own category. The Mary thing just doesn't apply at all to Episcopalians - and certainly not the Pope. Bishop of Canterbury, my friend! LOL

To OP, I think it is very individual. I've known families where one converted to Judaism and they are very happy; and known happy families where they celebrate both major holidays, but those parents aren't usually devout/practicing. Regardless, even when you share the same religion, raising kids is where the rubber meets the road in marriage. You can both be from the same faith and community and still not see eye to eye on how to discipline. I am saying this assuming you worry that your daughter isn't 1) wasting her time; or 2) going to end up unhappy or divorced. Comes down to the two of them.

As an aside, I once dated a Greek-American who ultimately told me he had to marry a Greek girl (it was expected of him). So even within the realm of Christianity, it can get tricky.

Mary was born without sin. Mary directly went to Heaven. She is a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jewish person here, answering the OP's original question.

My view on Christianity, by sect, in no particular order ...

Ethiopian Christianity: No opinion.
Coptic Christianity: Cred for being the oldest surviving form of Christianity. Other than that, I guess it's sorta like Ethiopian Christianity?
Eastern Orthodox: Gonna go out on a limb and lump Greek, Russian, Ukranian, Armenian, and other Balkan state flavors into this group. I like the antiquity of these guys, plus avoiding the whole Mary thing streamlines the religious doctrine. I'm a fan of long services in foreign languages so bonus points there. Excellent uniforms for clergy and there's the incense, which is nice.
Catholicism: I'll be adding Episcopals into this category because setting aside the Pope thing, I can't tell the difference between them. I LOVE Catholicism. You got the antiquity (although a lot younger than the Coptics), you got incense and chanting in foreign tongues, and the uniforms. Solid hierarchy keeps things good and structured for both the religious services and doctrine. The Mary thing throws me for a loop. Why can't you just stay focused on Jesus, people?! I do like the Papacy since it serves as a nice homage to our long-defunct Head Priest of the Temple. Demerits for the Holy Trinity though. You're either a monotheistic religion or polytheistic. Pick a side!
Non-Evangelical Protestantism: Inoffensive.
Evangelical Protestantism: Magic words, wishful thinking, the "Gospel of Prosperity", and snake-handling. Blech. Embarrassing. A blight on Christianity as a whole.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: You might think that based on from my views of Evangelical Christianity I would HATE Mormonism. In fact, I do not. Yeah, it is lacking in the antiquity department and holds Rochester New York in high esteem, but there's something very PROFESSIONAL about LDS. When a Mormon shows up at my door it is readily apparent that this is a Christian sect that cares about the nuts and bolts of converting souls. No skimping on training. And the post-mortem conversion of souls is pure GENIUS. All other religions are mad that Mormons do this because it's a fabulous idea that they didn't come up with. Oh, one last thing ... it pisses me off that I have to keep non-caffeinated beverages around in case Mormons drop by. That is sub-optimal.
Messianic Judaism: The worst.

You didn't answer OP's question, but you are totally entertaining. As an Episcopalian, I'd say you are right about the service and hierarchy being similar, but suggest you give us our own category. The Mary thing just doesn't apply at all to Episcopalians - and certainly not the Pope. Bishop of Canterbury, my friend! LOL

To OP, I think it is very individual. I've known families where one converted to Judaism and they are very happy; and known happy families where they celebrate both major holidays, but those parents aren't usually devout/practicing. Regardless, even when you share the same religion, raising kids is where the rubber meets the road in marriage. You can both be from the same faith and community and still not see eye to eye on how to discipline. I am saying this assuming you worry that your daughter isn't 1) wasting her time; or 2) going to end up unhappy or divorced. Comes down to the two of them.

As an aside, I once dated a Greek-American who ultimately told me he had to marry a Greek girl (it was expected of him). So even within the realm of Christianity, it can get tricky.

Mary was born without sin. Mary directly went to Heaven. She is a big deal.

As per a church made edict in about 1858. Curious it took them so long to get around to deciding she had to be the immaculate conception in order to give birth to Jesus. What a tangled web we weave....