Has anyone converted from Judaism to Christianity?

[Anonymous]

If so, was it out of conviction or for marriage? Which denomination? Has it been difficult to be accepted by your church? Do you get over the awkwardness? Did your family of origin understand? What words of wisdom would you give someone contemplating this move?

[Anonymous]

Not from Judaism to Christianity, but I seriously considered converting from Christianity to Islam for marriage. In the end, I did not. All I can really say is think long and hard if it's being done for marriage. The best situation is if you firmly believe in a religion with all your heart. And if you do, it's much easier to deal with disapproving and/or disowning family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If so, was it out of conviction or for marriage? Which denomination? Has it been difficult to be accepted by your church? Do you get over the awkwardness? Did your family of origin understand? What words of wisdom would you give someone contemplating this move?

Would you expect your family of origin to understand?

[Anonymous]

I'm Christian, marrying an Hindu (by origin - atheist by heart) and both families are reeeeeeeeeeally upset. Nobody is converting, we both will keep our beliefs.
We don't expect them to understand and we're just thinking about ourselves right now and our life as husband and wife.
It's already complicated enough for us to deal with the differences between our cultures.
Family and religious community acceptance will be our concern MAYBE later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, was it out of conviction or for marriage? Which denomination? Has it been difficult to be accepted by your church? Do you get over the awkwardness? Did your family of origin understand? What words of wisdom would you give someone contemplating this move?

Would you expect your family of origin to understand?

What does this even mean?? It sounds like you are saying that no family of origin in such a situation would ever understand--do you seriously believe that? Not to mention, how is this snarky comment helpful to OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, was it out of conviction or for marriage? Which denomination? Has it been difficult to be accepted by your church? Do you get over the awkwardness? Did your family of origin understand? What words of wisdom would you give someone contemplating this move?

Would you expect your family of origin to understand?

What does this even mean?? It sounds like you are saying that no family of origin in such a situation would ever understand--do you seriously believe that? Not to mention, how is this snarky comment helpful to OP?

I'm not who you are quoting. It is a snarky comment. But it's generally true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, was it out of conviction or for marriage? Which denomination? Has it been difficult to be accepted by your church? Do you get over the awkwardness? Did your family of origin understand? What words of wisdom would you give someone contemplating this move?

Would you expect your family of origin to understand?

Yes.

(I am not OP)

[Anonymous]

Jewish person here. I think converting from Judaism to Christianity carries some special connotations that converting from Christianity to other religions doesn't carry. I know that others of other religions may chime in and say "Not so, it's the same for us!" but for Jews the notion of conversion to Christianity has a long history...a history of forced conversion, a history of fighting against conversion to preserve our religion...So for me hearing about a Jew converting to Christianity, even theoretically, does produce some mixed and highly negative feelings, yes. If it were my family member, I would be a bit sad. I certainly wouldn't abandon that person, or stop loving them, but I would struggle with some deep feelings of wondering took such a radical step. My thoughts might be that if they did this simply for the sake of marriage, that's perhaps a shallow reason. I'm being honest.

[Anonymous]

8:23 again. I might also fear that, if the conversion were a "real and true" one, that as a Christian you would try to proselytize and convert our family, which would be simply unacceptable. So you would have to reassure us that isn't the case. And if this isn't a real and true conversion -- then why are you doing it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8:23 again. I might also fear that, if the conversion were a "real and true" one, that as a Christian you would try to proselytize and convert our family, which would be simply unacceptable. So you would have to reassure us that isn't the case. And if this isn't a real and true conversion -- then why are you doing it?

Episcopalian here. Most practicing Christians do not proselytize -- it's neither taught at church nor expected of parishioners. Born-again fundamentalists are hardly representative of all Christians. And they do not consider other denominations within Christianity to be true Christians.

[Anonymous]

I would also add to OP's question. Although most modern-day Christians are not out there actively converting people, I will say that churches ARE very welcoming of converts. So I doubt you will face any problems with acceptance in your church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8:23 again. I might also fear that, if the conversion were a "real and true" one, that as a Christian you would try to proselytize and convert our family, which would be simply unacceptable. So you would have to reassure us that isn't the case. And if this isn't a real and true conversion -- then why are you doing it?

Episcopalian here. Most practicing Christians do not proselytize -- it's neither taught at church nor expected of parishioners. Born-again fundamentalists are hardly representative of all Christians. And they do not consider other denominations within Christianity to be true Christians.

Okay, good to know...but most Jews have had problems with proselytizers. So this is something I would want to be reassured about.

[Anonymous]

According to jewish law, if you are born jewish, despite what religion you are practicing, you will always be considered jewish. There is no real way to convert from judaism.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to true "conversion" and it was my husband and not me, but I'm happy to share our experience...

I was raised Presbyterian and my husband is Jewish. As with a lot of people, we both semi-abandoned the "religious" component of both our backgrounds in younf adulthood, but stuck to the traditions (Christmas, Passover etc.)

When we decided to get married (inter-faith service in a Unitarian chruch), we had a long talk about what role religion would play in our family. We concluded that the religion, as in belief in a God, was more resonant with me. My husband was ethnically Jewish, but did not practice in a religious sense. So we decided that I would take the lead on religion.

When my son was born, we joined a Christian church. We go as a family every week and my husband considers himself a part of the congregation. He does not participate in communion, but joins in church functions and participates in charitable work through the church. The rest of the congregation knows he is Jewish and accepts him without pressure. Nobody has ever questiond his choice not to participate in communion or pushed him on his beliefs.

We honor the Jewish heritage through Seders, Hannukah candles etc. In the end, all religion is founded in Judaism anyway.

It has worked out well for our family, but it wasn't an easy road and there were a lot of tears from both of our mothers in the beginning.

[Anonymous]

I'm Jewish and married a Christian. I didn't convert. I just can't accept Jesus (as the son of God, as my personal savior, etc. - its a big leap for most Jews to make). Unless you do, then I wouldn't convert to Christianity as its sort of the entire basis of most Christian religions. You may think that Christianity is based on the Hebrew Bible, but really, its not that similar of a religion when you get down to your standard service - its all about Jesus. As it should be if you are Christian - I'm just saying don't expect too much discussion of Moses and Abraham at services anymore.