JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 11:08 am
For example, it’s illegal to try to evangelise a Jewish person in Israel.
I don't think that's true. The internet tells me that it is not illegal though there was a bill before the Knesset that tried to make it so back in 2023. The bill ultimately failed. While restrictive, the restrictions (and punishments) are quite liberal compared to Muslim countries.
Assuming that website is correct, this is even more galling:
In accordance with the Law of Return, any Jewish person (or descendant of a Jewish person up until the third generation) in entitled to obtain the status of an ‘ole‘ (new immigrant) in Israel, as long as they did not convert to another religion. In general, the State of Israel considers Messianic Jews to be Christians, and any Jew that joined the Messianic stream of Judaism as a convert to Christianity. Thus, aliyah to Israel for a Jew that converted to Christianity is very difficult.
In other words, what defines one as a "Jew" is "not being a Christian".
You're welcome to check Google to verify. I just picked a site that seemed balanced.
I think it's generally accepted and understood that Jews are not Christians and that Christians are not Jews.
HondurasKeiser wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 3:13 pm
I think it's generally accepted and understood that Jews are not Christians and that Christians are not Jews.
HondurasKeiser wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 3:13 pm
I think it's generally accepted and understood that Jews are not Christians and that Christians are not Jews.
Then what does Israel being a “Jewish state” mean? A state composed of people who are explicitly not Christians?
HondurasKeiser wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 3:13 pm
I think it's generally accepted and understood that Jews are not Christians and that Christians are not Jews.
Then what does Israel being a “Jewish state” mean? A state composed of people who are explicitly not Christians?
It’s a state composed of and for people that are explicitly Jewish. I think that’s not terribly different from Japan being a state composed of and for people that are explicitly Japanese. Not that there can’t be or isnt diversity within that composition, but the state exists as such to preserve the Jewish people. I don’t see that as terribly controversial because, with few modern exceptions, the U.S. being the most notable one, most states around the world exist for that same idea of «preserving the nation ».
HondurasKeiser wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 3:13 pm
I think it's generally accepted and understood that Jews are not Christians and that Christians are not Jews.
HondurasKeiser wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 3:13 pm
I think it's generally accepted and understood that Jews are not Christians and that Christians are not Jews.
The Jewish Christians all disappeared?
What time period are you referring to?
The early Church was almost exclusively Jewish. That's all. Doesn't necessarily mean anything about what the modern usage is.
ken_sylvania wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 3:56 pm
The Jewish Christians all disappeared?
What time period are you referring to?
The early Church was almost exclusively Jewish. That's all. Doesn't necessarily mean anything about what the modern usage is.
Yes, that’s indisputable. Very quickly though the separation between Christians and Jews grew to such an extent that it made little sense to speak of Jewish Christians. Pauline Christianity did a pretty good job at rooting the Jewishness out of the new sect.
HondurasKeiser wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 3:13 pm
I think it's generally accepted and understood that Jews are not Christians and that Christians are not Jews.
Then what does Israel being a “Jewish state” mean? A state composed of people who are explicitly not Christians?
It’s a state composed of and for people that are explicitly Jewish. I think that’s not terribly different from Japan being a state composed of and for people that are explicitly Japanese. Not that there can’t be or isnt diversity within that composition, but the state exists as such to preserve the Jewish people. I don’t see that as terribly controversial because, with few modern exceptions, the U.S. being the most notable one, most states around the world exist for that same idea of «preserving the nation ».
A rather key difference is that a Japanese person can also be a Christian.
Then what does Israel being a “Jewish state” mean? A state composed of people who are explicitly not Christians?
It’s a state composed of and for people that are explicitly Jewish. I think that’s not terribly different from Japan being a state composed of and for people that are explicitly Japanese. Not that there can’t be or isnt diversity within that composition, but the state exists as such to preserve the Jewish people. I don’t see that as terribly controversial because, with few modern exceptions, the U.S. being the most notable one, most states around the world exist for that same idea of «preserving the nation ».
A rather key difference is that a Japanese person can also be a Christian.
Well yes, that is an interesting nuance but then again so what. If Israel wants to fence its society in the religious aspect, so be it. Plenty of other countries do as well. I don’t have to like it but I think it makes sense if you see it from the perspective of the Jews.
HondurasKeiser wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 9:28 pm
Well yes, that is an interesting nuance but then again so what. If Israel wants to fence its society in the religious aspect, so be it. Plenty of other countries do as well. I don’t have to like it but I think it makes sense if you see it from the perspective of the Jews.
I have difficulty seeing any value in a point of view that explicitly rejects Christ and his message.
It is the point of view of those utterly deluded by the Deceiver.
