I really wish people would do some research about the true meaning of the words they use. If you are posting to a site, aren't you a click away from a reputable dictionary?

The word "race" for instance. Race originally just means a large ethnic group, a group of inter-related people claiming a common ancestry. Race, people (as in "the Jewish people"), nation, ethnicity, tribe, family... all related words differing only in their scope.

So some 19th century European anthropologists decided that there are 3 or 4 "great" races: Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, and Australoid. Three of these describe places, one describes a skin color, though later it became Africoid. Ironically, this theory has as much basis in the story of the 3 sons of Noah and the "Table of Nations" in the book of Genesis as it has in any actual science.

As TMS said, Mongoloid later became a term for a person with Down's Syndrome, so it's now considered offensive by many. Sure you have the right to use the word, but like any word, maybe look it up before you defend your definition to the teeth.

There has been some much interesting research since then with DNA about mankind's East African origins, and the inter-relatedness of us all. Where does one family stop and another begin? There aren't hard lines. Same thing with these grand concepts of race. Ultimately we are all one race, and that's not being a Pollyanna... it's scientific & semantic fact. It's the 21st century and we are still stuck in pseudo-science from 200 years ago.

Is Judaism a religion? Yes, it is a collection of religious traditions (Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Mizrahi, Ethiopian, etc.) descended from the Ancient Hebrews.

Is there a Jewish race? Yes, insomuch there is a worldwide group of people that claim heritage from the tribe of Judah and from ancient Israelites.

People the world over are infatuated with the culture of the ancient Hebrews, and rightfully so. Raised as a Christian it's a part of my heritage as well in the stories, ethics, and even my name. I'm always amazed at Christians who hate Jews: you worship the Jewish God and a 1st century rabbi as his only begotten son, what's up with all the hate?

So whatever the story is with Amar'e, I hope he enjoys his trip to Israel, stays safe, and comes back to kick ass as a New York Knick. L'chaim!

playa2 wrote:

scoshin wrote:The only reason people perceive Jews as a race (and similarly, Muslims) is solely because both religions don't evangelize as Christians do. Thus, those who believe in Judaism or Islam tend to be of a certain ethnicity that people can readily box as a group. So when someone hears of a black Jew or Asian Jew (is there one?), it shocks the conscience. Christianity is really the only religion that's devoted to missionary work (less so Catholicism), and for that reason, tends to be more firmly perceived as a religion and not a race. If someone asks you to picture a Jew or a Muslim in your head, I'm sure a certain ethnicity immediately comes to mind, but if you were asked to picture a Christian, it could range from African-American to Korean to Indian to European.

Is it because you can be Jewish and still believe God has given you favor in the world without you doing anything for God. So the race of Jewish people was more important than religion

Finally your true racist ass has been exposed and its ignorant to boot.

"Choosen" as in "choosen to suffer" you moron.

Your transparency does not really bring much to the table anymore.

Thamk you for defending the democracy and our freedom of speech. That is why there are so much writen on the internet. Conspiracy theorists and hate mongers are all free to share there thoughts. In an antisemtic site such a comment might be the norm, but this is a forum of basketball and "Other" which I doubt anyones intent is to offend. You would not walk into a mixed room of people and make a comment like that. It would considered inappropriate. And if you did it frequently you would not be welcome in that group of people. I kind of feel that if your asked to refrain and don't then its apparent you desire not to be part of this group. Thats your doing.

I have enjoyed most of the discussions with you. Its ok to not always agree but there is a line.

Nalod wrote:

playa2 wrote:

scoshin wrote:The only reason people perceive Jews as a race (and similarly, Muslims) is solely because both religions don't evangelize as Christians do. Thus, those who believe in Judaism or Islam tend to be of a certain ethnicity that people can readily box as a group. So when someone hears of a black Jew or Asian Jew (is there one?), it shocks the conscience. Christianity is really the only religion that's devoted to missionary work (less so Catholicism), and for that reason, tends to be more firmly perceived as a religion and not a race. If someone asks you to picture a Jew or a Muslim in your head, I'm sure a certain ethnicity immediately comes to mind, but if you were asked to picture a Christian, it could range from African-American to Korean to Indian to European.

Is it because you can be Jewish and still believe God has given you favor in the world without you doing anything for God. So the race of Jewish people was more important than religion

Finally your true racist ass has been exposed and its ignorant to boot.

"Choosen" as in "choosen to suffer" you moron.

Your transparency does not really bring much to the table anymore.

Thamk you for defending the democracy and our freedom of speech. That is why there are so much writen on the internet. Conspiracy theorists and hate mongers are all free to share there thoughts. In an antisemtic site such a comment might be the norm, but this is a forum of basketball and "Other" which I doubt anyones intent is to offend. You would not walk into a mixed room of people and make a comment like that. It would considered inappropriate. And if you did it frequently you would not be welcome in that group of people. I kind of feel that if your asked to refrain and don't then its apparent you desire not to be part of this group. Thats your doing.

I have enjoyed most of the discussions with you. Its ok to not always agree but there is a line.

Neither of you guys are Talmudic scholars or Bible historians I take it. Neither am I, but golly.

Playa2, I have no idea what your motives are with that statement, so maybe you are just getting the Ron Artest treatment from the refs here because of some past behavior. Maybe you need to write a bit more clearly. The story of the Jews in the Bible to me is the story of a multi-ethnic people that become united around the worship of the God of Abraham & Moses. I agree with you that Jews are an ethnic group & a religious group. I'm not willing to say one trumps another though, it's not my place.

Nalod, I hear what you are saying about "chosen to suffer" but some translate the term "chosen" closer to meaning "treasured". I'm not a Bible translator or anything.

Race & religion can't be discussed in the same tenor as basketball, this thread is proof positive.

Most Jewish texts do not state that "God chose the Jews" by itself. Rather, this is usually linked with a mission or purpose, such as proclaiming God's message among all the nations, even though Jews cannot become "unchosen" if they shirk their mission. This implies a special duty, which evolves from the belief that Jews have been pledged by the covenant which God concluded with the biblical patriarch Abraham, their ancestor, and again with the entire Jewish nation at Mount Sinai. In this view, Jews are charged with living a holy life as God's priest-people.

I should have said "chosen to suffer as well as treasured". By that Jews have been enslaved and subject to genecide in additon to treasured.

Of course history has chosen to torture and enslave others as well.