Jews For Jesus

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In today's world there is racism, discrimination, and hatred towards ethnic groups, religions, and cultures. A very well known organization is Jews for Jesus. They are simply spreading their thoughts about their own beliefs. However, while doing this, they are slapping the Jews in the face after turning their backs on their brethren. If they are really Jewish, then why do they believe that Jesus was the messiah? This essay will show what Jews for Jesus believes in, how Jews for Judaism contradicts their opinion, and both organizations' methods of gaining members and spreading their principles.

Jews for Jesus is a Christian evangelical organization based in San Francisco, California. This means that they are an organization which travels and spreads beliefs. Jews for Jesus is spreading the belief that Jesus is the Messiah and God. Whilst doing this, they also promote awareness of Jewish and Christian heritage. The ironic thing is, that Jews for Jesus claims that their followers are "living out their Jewishness" and self-identifies as Jewish. However, a vast number of Jewish people, groups, organizations, and many others reject this, and regard the group as Christian.

At "www.forjewsforjesus.com" – a Jews for Jesus website – the question is asked, "Can you explain how one can be a Jew and a Christian at the same time? That seems like a contradiction in terms." The site responds by saying:

"The definition of who is a Jew is much debated within the Jewish community. Some want to define "Jewish" as cultural, others as religious and still others as a matter of parentage."

The site adds that they believe Jewishness is a birthright and inherited from the parents. The people at the organization are not of one culture; they have diverse cultural expressions such as Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Russian, Ethiopian, etc. The missionaries consider themselves to have more than one religion. While Judaism might be the traditional religion for many Jewish people, Jews are still considered Jewish even though they might be atheists or even if they have other beliefs, such as Christianity. They claim that people "are not entitled to negate their Jewishness. We are Jews by birth and that cannot change."

According to Jews for Jesus, you can be Jewish and Christian at the same time. "Jewish" refers to who they are. "Christian" is a designation for whom they follow.

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