# I want to be a Jew **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 8, 2002, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471 "2002-04-08T12:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Willy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sweet\_Willy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Willy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/61 "2002-04-08T14:56:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Now repeat after me: “If you don’t like the club rules, then don’t join the club.” Now repeat after me; If you don’t like the club rules, tough turkey, the club rules say you are in the club. > [@](#): > > If you are already a Jew, you can proclaim yourself an atheist, How did we get to already being a Jew? Makes sense to me to be an athiest at birth. No one has taught you to believe in jack crap. > [@](#): > > We got to Page Two only 2 hours and 26 minutes after the thread was opened. Does anyone know if that sets a record? Boy I must be really stupid and unable to contribute to discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/62 "2002-04-08T14:57:04Z")
Amazing. The same damn thing keeps popping out of **Sweet Willy** ’s keyboard, despite all the responses. If this was a Turing test, **Willy** wouldn’t pass. 'Fess up, **Willy**. You’re really an experimental first-draft of an AI program written by a student at UNC, aren’t ya? ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/63 "2002-04-08T14:57:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > \*\*How? How is my neighbor that lives in the same community, shops at the same market, drives a comparable automobile, shares my religious views, any different than me because his mom was a Jew? \*\* Please read CKDextHavn’s answer to [Can you be an atheist and still be Jewish?](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mjewish.html) and let us know what you think of it. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/64 "2002-04-08T14:58:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > \*\* > > Now repeat after me; If you don’t like the club rules, tough turkey, the club rules say you are in the club. \*\* In this case, congrats, you finally got one right. Don’t like it? Don’t join. > [@](#): > > \*\* > How did we get to already being a Jew? Makes sense to me to be an athiest at birth. No one has taught you to believe in jack crap. \*\* So be an atheist. No one is stopping you. Have a good life. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Willy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sweet\_Willy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Willy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/65 "2002-04-08T14:59:39Z")
> [@](#): > > You do know what “different” means, do you not? Let’s say your neighbors mother had been a chicken sexer. Then your neighbor would be different from you in the sense that HIS mother was a chicken sexer, while yours was not. Or perhaps his mother had blonde hair, but yours was brunette. Those are DIFFERENCES. They do not, however, make one of you better than the other. Well sure. Why not just say “his mother was Jewish”? We don’t do that. We say he is Jewish. Is the son of a chicken sexer also a chicken sexer? That doesn’t seem like a fair characterization. ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Willy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sweet\_Willy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Willy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/66 "2002-04-08T15:05:14Z")
> [@](#): > > In this case, congrats, you finally got one right. Don’t like it? Don’t join. **Zev Steinhardt,** If my mom is Jewish I don’t have the friggin choice whether I like the rules or not. That is the point. :wally > [@](#): > > 'Fess up, Willy. You’re really an experimental first-draft of an AI program written by a student at UNC, aren’t ya? Ya know, I really wanted to go to UNC but affirmative action doesn’t lend me a hand due to my ancestry. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/67 "2002-04-08T15:07:03Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by me, “Keeve”_ > **We got to Page Two only 2 hours and 26 minutes after the thread was opened. Does anyone know if that sets a record?** > [@](#): > > \*Sweet Willy’s sarcastic response was \* > \*\*Boy I must be really stupid and unable to contribute to discussion. \*\* You know, I had this feeling that Sweet Willy never read my **three** posts on page one. He has now confirmed it himself. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/68 "2002-04-08T15:08:03Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* \*\* **Zev Steinhardt,** If my mom is Jewish I don’t have the friggin choice whether I like the rules or not. That is the point. But your mom wasn’t, right? So what do you care? > [@](#): > > \*\* > > :wally \*\* I have refrained from calling you names and issuing _ad-hominem_ attacks at you. I would ask that you accord me the same courtesy. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/69 "2002-04-08T15:09:12Z")
**SexyWriter** > [@](#): > > They have functioning brain cells. [Moderator Hat ON] SexyWriter, this is not the Pit. You may not directly insult other posters while you are in this forum. [Moderator Hat OFF] ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/70 "2002-04-08T15:10:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Keeve \* > \*\* > > You know, I had this feeling that Sweet Willy never read my **three** posts on page one. He has now confirmed it himself. \*\* Don’t worry, **Keeve** , you’re not the only one. I’m still waiting for him to tell me how Jewish tradition affects gentiles… Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/71 "2002-04-08T15:11:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > \*\* If you are racist just say it. I can accept that. \*\* I am racist. I, speaking on behalf of the entire Jewish population from here to Jupitor, proclaim that we are all racist. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. Since you clearly won’t accept the other side of the argument, maybe this will make you happy and send you back to your normal, offline, conspriacy loving life. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/72 "2002-04-08T15:13:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > **If my mom is Jewish I don’t have the friggin choice whether I like the rules or not. That is the point.** Oh, so you **do** understand! Did you also have a question? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/73 "2002-04-08T15:16:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > \*\* > > **Zev Steinhardt,** If my mom is Jewish I don’t have the friggin choice whether I like the rules or not. That is the point. \*\* That’s funny. I thought this thread was about your wanting to be a Jew. If you want to start a thread for all those poor people who are forced by those horrible Jews to forever remain Jewish, then do so, but don’t change the focus of your argument. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Willy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sweet\_Willy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Willy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/74 "2002-04-08T15:16:26Z")
> [@](#): > > I have refrained from calling you names and issuing ad-hominem attacks at you. I would ask that you accord me the same courtesy. > > Zev Steinhardt Take it up with the SDMB **Zev Steinhardt** , while insults are not allowed, it does appear that the board endorses the use of :wally . > [@](#): > > Don’t worry, Keeve, you’re not the only one. I’m still waiting for him to tell me how Jewish tradition affects gentiles… > > Zev Steinhardt Yeah, and I am waiting for you to tell me if you care. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/75 "2002-04-08T15:17:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > \*\* > Yeah, and I am waiting for you to tell me if you care. \*\* I care. Would you tell me? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/76 "2002-04-08T15:19:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > \*\* > > Take it up with the SDMB **Zev Steinhardt** , while insults are not allowed, it does appear that the board endorses the use of :wally . \*\* They may allow the use of the “wally” smilie. However, I asked you, personally, not to issue insults, as I have accorded you that same courtesy. However, if you cannot provide that simple courtesy and must resort to name calling… > [@](#): > > \*\* > > Yeah, and I am waiting for you to tell me if you care. \*\* I don’t care. I know what Jewish tradition says about Gentiles. You’re the one who made the claim that Jewish tradition somehow affects gentiles. All I asked was that you back up your claim. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/77 "2002-04-08T15:21:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > How did we get to already being a Jew? Makes sense to me to be an athiest at birth. No one has taught you to believe in jack crap. You prove yet again you know nothing about Judaism. A particular belief is not required except for those wishing to join the club, so to speak. A person born Jewish is not required to proclaim to all and sundry that that person believes this or believes that. He’s expected to obey the Law; however, if he doesn’t obey the Law, he’s merely a non-observant Jew. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/78 "2002-04-08T15:22:16Z")
Sweet Willy, Zev **DID** answer your question!!! > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt at 10:38 AM EDT_ > **I don’t think Jewish tradition affects gentiles at all.** ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Willy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sweet\_Willy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Willy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/79 "2002-04-08T15:26:03Z")
> [@](#): > > I am racist. There now. That didn’t hurt too bad did it? Now see what you can do to stop being a racist. Other people will think poorly of you for it. > [@](#): > > If you want to start a thread for all those poor people who are forced by those horrible Jews to forever remain Jewish, then do so, but don’t change the focus of your argument. The focus of my argument is the same. I want to know how I can be Jewish without accepting the faith. Who says Jews are horrible besides you? They practice racism. That leads the excluded groups to do horrible things. > [@](#): > > I care. Would you tell me? Tell you what? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471/80 "2002-04-08T15:31:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Willy \* > \*\* Tell you what? \*\* Tell me how Jewish law affects Gentiles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-a-jew/102471.md?page=5)