Jewish people: how do you view Christianity?

[Anonymous]

Truly interested. I know very little about Judaism and would love to hear your thoughts. Honestly it’s a little disingenuous; my daughter is a Christian and dating a Jewish man. They are both in the medical profession. I honestly didn’t think Jewish men who were observant dated Christian women. Excuse me if any of that sounds ignorant or disrespectful, it’s not meant to be.

[Anonymous]

There are many kinds of observant Jewish people. Reform, conservative, orthodox and ultra orthodox. In order or f ascending restriction and adherence to Jewish law.
How observant is is? Goes to temple every Friday night and Saturday? Keeping kosher? Or just goes for the main holidays and maybe doesn't eat pork?
In my experience (as a Jewish woman who does not go to synagogue because I haven't found one I like) many men who identify as Jewish based on their family heritage and what they grew up with will date all kinds of women. The big change comes when they decide to marry and have children. Many will then choose to look for a Jewish woman (even a not an observant one) so that their family life resembles what they grew up. Of course this doesn't go for all men or women for that matter. I dated a Methodist man in college who did go to church on a regular basis and we broke up for other reasons but I was naive and should have realized it would have never worked. He has married someone of the same religion and same commitment to their church.
I ended up marrying a Jewish man with the same general mostly secular upbringing as me but we participate in the local Jewish life as we can and tell our children who they are.

[Anonymous]

Less than 1/2 of Jews marry Jews so clearly lots of Jews date non-Jews. I just think of Christianity as another religion. It has many similar pillars and some wonderful traditions. There are many Jews who have very different beliefs than I do so Christians are in the same category.

-Jew married to non-Jew with quite similar religious views.

[Anonymous]

There are different levels of being "observant." He's probably not orthodox and definitely isn't Hasidim if he's dating your daughter.

I view Christians as ... nothing, really. I personally think it's nuts to pray to a dead, Jewish guy. I personally believe Mary was raped by someone who refused to admit to being Jesus' father. But none of that matters.

I've worked with and been friends with Christian people active in their church, and they've been a pleasure to be around. I've also worked with Christian people active in their church who have surprised me with how petty, passive-aggressive and all around awful they are.

I take everyone individually. Not all jews are cheap, you know?

[Anonymous]

I think the foundations of Christianity are fantastic. Lots of the things Jesus (is purported to have) preached are wonderful. The things people have done in the name of Christianity are...not always as fantastic or wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for chiming in. He keeps kosher and attends temple every week, not sure if once or twice. I know at Christmas he bought her a Mensch on a Bench. They are both in their late 20s and live in another state, so I don’t get to peer into their relationship. I know they work a lot, hike, and generally enjoy each other’s company. I am happy to know that it’s not weird for them to date.

[Anonymous]

It’s possibly your DD has expressed a willingness to explore conversion. Over 1/2 of the Jewish moms I know were raised another religion but converted before marriage or before the birth of a first child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s possibly your DD has expressed a willingness to explore conversion. Over 1/2 of the Jewish moms I know were raised another religion but converted before marriage or before the birth of a first child.

Yes, she has asked how I would feel about that and worried we would be unhappy. Not at all. I wonder if his parents would be unhappy if he did marry a convert? We are just glad he’s intelligent and successful and is caring to DD. We are going to to meet him next week. Excited. Any advice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s possibly your DD has expressed a willingness to explore conversion. Over 1/2 of the Jewish moms I know were raised another religion but converted before marriage or before the birth of a first child.

Yes, she has asked how I would feel about that and worried we would be unhappy. Not at all. I wonder if his parents would be unhappy if he did marry a convert? We are just glad he’s intelligent and successful and is caring to DD. We are going to to meet him next week. Excited. Any advice?

Be chill. Not too nervous. Not too over the top supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are different levels of being "observant." He's probably not orthodox and definitely isn't Hasidim if he's dating your daughter.

I view Christians as ... nothing, really. I personally think it's nuts to pray to a dead, Jewish guy. I personally believe Mary was raped by someone who refused to admit to being Jesus' father. But none of that matters.

I've worked with and been friends with Christian people active in their church, and they've been a pleasure to be around. I've also worked with Christian people active in their church who have surprised me with how petty, passive-aggressive and all around awful they are.

I take everyone individually. Not all jews are cheap, you know?

Thank goodness all Jews aren’t as obnoxious, cynical, and as disrespectful as you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s possibly your DD has expressed a willingness to explore conversion. Over 1/2 of the Jewish moms I know were raised another religion but converted before marriage or before the birth of a first child.

Yes, she has asked how I would feel about that and worried we would be unhappy. Not at all. I wonder if his parents would be unhappy if he did marry a convert? We are just glad he’s intelligent and successful and is caring to DD. We are going to to meet him next week. Excited. Any advice?

I'm Jewish, and my brother married a girl who converted to our religion. My advice is don't mention religion. My brother and I are SO MUCH MORE than our religion.

[Anonymous]

I’m a Hindu married to a Jew. The way it worked is neither of us is religious. We observe some holidays and traditions we grew up with, and teach our kids about their heritage, but we also teach them discrimination based on religion is wrong, including in marriage. Love is love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s possibly your DD has expressed a willingness to explore conversion. Over 1/2 of the Jewish moms I know were raised another religion but converted before marriage or before the birth of a first child.

Yes, she has asked how I would feel about that and worried we would be unhappy. Not at all. I wonder if his parents would be unhappy if he did marry a convert? We are just glad he’s intelligent and successful and is caring to DD. We are going to to meet him next week. Excited. Any advice?

Be chill. Not too nervous. Not too over the top supportive.

Going to have dinner with them at the end of a brief visit with her, at the tail end of a business trip. Definitely will be chill. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are different levels of being "observant." He's probably not orthodox and definitely isn't Hasidim if he's dating your daughter.

I view Christians as ... nothing, really. I personally think it's nuts to pray to a dead, Jewish guy. I personally believe Mary was raped by someone who refused to admit to being Jesus' father. But none of that matters.

I've worked with and been friends with Christian people active in their church, and they've been a pleasure to be around. I've also worked with Christian people active in their church who have surprised me with how petty, passive-aggressive and all around awful they are.

I take everyone individually. Not all jews are cheap, you know?

Thank goodness all Jews aren’t as obnoxious, cynical, and as disrespectful as you are.

I'm Christian/Catholic and I didn't think the response was obnoxious or disrespectful. OP asked for her opinion and she answered. Stop being so sensitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s possibly your DD has expressed a willingness to explore conversion. Over 1/2 of the Jewish moms I know were raised another religion but converted before marriage or before the birth of a first child.

Yes, she has asked how I would feel about that and worried we would be unhappy. Not at all. I wonder if his parents would be unhappy if he did marry a convert? We are just glad he’s intelligent and successful and is caring to DD. We are going to to meet him next week. Excited. Any advice?

I'm Jewish, and my brother married a girl who converted to our religion. My advice is don't mention religion. My brother and I are SO MUCH MORE than our religion.

Ok, I wasn’t planning on it and now will definitely say nothing about it. I am curious about going to a kosher restaurant and have been looking at the menu so I can figure out what to order in advance. Thank you.