Is Judaism a Race

#1

MontyPython

Dorothy Mantooth is a saint!
Joined
Jun 28, 2019
Messages
9,722
Likes
13,482
#1
So Whoopi Goldberg is suspended for 2 weeks from her TV show for making the following comment:

“Let’s be truthful about it because the Holocaust isn’t about race. No. It’s not about race!”

Whoopi was then called out for defining the basis of the Holocaust as the Jewish "race".

ABC News president Kim Godwin announced on Tuesday, “Effective immediately, I am suspending Whoopi Goldberg for two weeks for her wrong and hurtful comments,” Godwin said.

Whoopi apologized.

In a note to staff, ABC News prez Kim Godwin says, "While Whoopi has apologized, I’ve asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments. The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family and communities.”

Help me out here... how is Judaism a race? I'm the color (READ: RACE) that I am. Pretty confident I cannot at anytime change my race. Yet, at anytime I can convert to Judaism and become a "Jew". Right?!?

So, then, how is Whoopi wrong when she says the Holocaust is NOT based on race? Seems to me, Hitler hated people of the Jewish faith, hence the basis for the Holocaust. He hated them because of their religious beliefs, not the color of their skin (READ: RACE). Right?

Hmmm. So, I Google the question, "Is Judaism a race?".

Here are quotes from the articles:

First source: "Jews in the City":

"Religion, of course, is a belief system.

So where does Judaism fit into these categories?

Race, insofar as it exists at all, is a function of DNA. While there is a cluster of genes associated with being Jewish, non-Jewish people can possess those genes, and there are entire Jewish communities that don’t have them (presumably because these communities became isolated before those haplotype markers entered the DNA). Finally, a person can’t change his race but a person who isn’t Jewish can become Jewish. So it’s not looking good to define Judaism as a race.[1]

...So, if Judaism is not a race, nor an ethnicity, nor is it limited to religion, then what is it?"

Next source: "The AISH Rabbi Responds":

"To categorize Judaism "only" as a religion is a misunderstanding. The Jewish people are a nation, who share a common land (Israel), a common religion (Judaism) and a common history (dating back to Abraham).

What is amazing is how the Jews have maintained their distinct national identity having been scattered to the four corners of the globe. This achievement was possible only because of our adherence to the Torah, the "constitution" of the Jewish people. The Torah lays out the scope of personal rights and obligations, as well as laws covering lifecycle, business practice, medical ethics, parenting, married life, etc. Observance of the Torah was thus the thread which kept the Jewish people alive, and thriving, in every place and time.

Judaism cannot be classified as a race, because anyone can become a Jew by converting. The convert is considered a Jew in every regard, and his relationship with God is the same level as that of every other Jew. Come to Israel and you will find black Jews, oriental Jews, Indian Jews, etc."

# # #

Mkay. I give up.

Not trying to be "racist" here. I could care less what other people's religious beliefs are as long as they don't impede on my life.

So how is Whoopi wrong? How is this not cancel culture at its worst?

Given that I am Christian, is it now politically correct to refer to me as belonging to the "Christian race"?

Taking this one step further, if one were to argue that Judaism is a race but Christianity isn't, then ironically how is this not - in fact - racist?
 
Last edited:
#2
#2
Your first issue is that you’re falsely equating skin pigment and race. The idea that Jews are white is a very recent view.

Jews were seen by Hitler as a race and there’s countless examples of this. He directly referred to Jews as a race. I’m not trying to be mean, but how old are you? I feel like this was common history in any high school when I was in school.

You also seem to ignore the fact that she seems to downplay the Holocaust as just white people problems. She then tried to hide behind an insane description of racism that only defines racism as oppression of people of color.

It’s both a people and a faith (it would be like if Islam was simply called “middle eastern”). Hitler’s issue was with the race as a whole, not simply with their religious views and he was extremely clear about that.
 
#4
#4
I didn't watch it, but it is silly to suspend her for making comments when that is the whole premise of the show. If you don't like what she says turn the channel. Are we suddenly for suppressing opinions we don't agree with?

How openly racist do you get to be on a cable network? I have no problem with a network determining that for themselves.
 
#5
#5
Your first issue is that you’re falsely equating skin pigment and race. The idea that Jews are white is a very recent view.

Jews were seen by Hitler as a race and there’s countless examples of this. He directly referred to Jews as a race. I’m not trying to be mean, but how old are you? I feel like this was common history in any high school when I was in school.

You also seem to ignore the fact that she seems to downplay the Holocaust as just white people problems. She then tried to hide behind an insane description of racism that only defines racism as oppression of people of color.

It’s both a people and a faith (it would be like if Islam was simply called “middle eastern”). Hitler’s issue was with the race as a whole, not simply with their religious views and he was extremely clear about that.

So I'm Christian. Do I belong to the "Christian Race"?
 
#6
#6
Your first issue is that you’re falsely equating skin pigment and race. The idea that Jews are white is a very recent view.

Jews were seen by Hitler as a race and there’s countless examples of this. He directly referred to Jews as a race. I’m not trying to be mean, but how old are you? I feel like this was common history in any high school when I was in school.

You also seem to ignore the fact that she seems to downplay the Holocaust as just white people problems. She then tried to hide behind an insane description of racism that only defines racism as oppression of people of color.

It’s both a people and a faith (it would be like if Islam was simply called “middle eastern”). Hitler’s issue was with the race as a whole, not simply with their religious views and he was extremely clear about that.
Notice how he didn’t round up the black Jews? Makes you wonder doesn’t it.

I’m joking
 
#7
#7
Your first issue is that you’re falsely equating skin pigment and race. The idea that Jews are white is a very recent view.

Jews were seen by Hitler as a race and there’s countless examples of this. He directly referred to Jews as a race. I’m not trying to be mean, but how old are you? I feel like this was common history in any high school when I was in school.

You also seem to ignore the fact that she seems to downplay the Holocaust as just white people problems. She then tried to hide behind an insane description of racism that only defines racism as oppression of people of color.

It’s both a people and a faith (it would be like if Islam was simply called “middle eastern”). Hitler’s issue was with the race as a whole, not simply with their religious views and he was extremely clear about that.
I can totally see anyone being confused by this. We all know Hitler saw them as an inferior "race" but does that make them a race? Not being a smarty pants, real question.

Are/were Gentiles considered a race? Protestants? Converts to Judaism?

You don't see Jewish as a choice on a home loan application.

Ancient skeleton studies point to them resembling today's people of Iraq.

"Jewish" to me has always been a confusing characterization because you're not sure if it's references a people, religion, etc.
 
#8
#8
So Whoopi Goldberg is suspended for 2 weeks from her TV show for making the following comment:

“Let’s be truthful about it because the Holocaust isn’t about race. No. It’s not about race!”

Whoopi was then called out for defining the basis of the Holocaust as the Jewish "race".

ABC News president Kim Godwin announced on Tuesday, “Effective immediately, I am suspending Whoopi Goldberg for two weeks for her wrong and hurtful comments,” Godwin said.

Whoopi apologized.

In a note to staff, ABC News prez Kim Godwin says, "While Whoopi has apologized, I’ve asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments. The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family and communities.”

Help me out here... how is Judaism a race? I'm the color (READ: RACE) that I am. Pretty confident I cannot at anytime change my race. Yet, at anytime I can convert to Judaism and become a "Jew". Right?!?

So, then, how is Whoopi wrong when she says the Holocaust is NOT based on race? Seems to me, Hitler hated people of the Jewish faith, hence the basis for the Holocaust. He hated them because of their religious beliefs, not the color of their skin (READ: RACE). Right?

Hmmm. So, I Google the question, "Is Judaism a race?".

Here are quotes from the articles:

First source: "Jews in the City":

"Religion, of course, is a belief system.

So where does Judaism fit into these categories?

Race, insofar as it exists at all, is a function of DNA. While there is a cluster of genes associated with being Jewish, non-Jewish people can possess those genes, and there are entire Jewish communities that don’t have them (presumably because these communities became isolated before those haplotype markers entered the DNA). Finally, a person can’t change his race but a person who isn’t Jewish can become Jewish. So it’s not looking good to define Judaism as a race.[1]

...So, if Judaism is not a race, nor an ethnicity, nor is it limited to religion, then what is it?"

Next source: "The AISH Rabbi Responds":

"To categorize Judaism "only" as a religion is a misunderstanding. The Jewish people are a nation, who share a common land (Israel), a common religion (Judaism) and a common history (dating back to Abraham).

What is amazing is how the Jews have maintained their distinct national identity having been scattered to the four corners of the globe. This achievement was possible only because of our adherence to the Torah, the "constitution" of the Jewish people. The Torah lays out the scope of personal rights and obligations, as well as laws covering lifecycle, business practice, medical ethics, parenting, married life, etc. Observance of the Torah was thus the thread which kept the Jewish people alive, and thriving, in every place and time.

Judaism cannot be classified as a race, because anyone can become a Jew by converting. The convert is considered a Jew in every regard, and his relationship with God is the same level as that of every other Jew. Come to Israel and you will find black Jews, oriental Jews, Indian Jews, etc."

# # #

Mkay. I give up.

Not trying to be "racist" here. I could care less what other people's religious beliefs are as long as they don't impede on my life.

So how is Whoopi wrong? How is this not cancel culture at its worst?

Given that I am Christian, is it now politically correct to refer to me as belonging to the "Christian race"?

Taking this one step further, if one were to argue that Judaism is a race but Christianity isn't, then ironically how is this not - in fact - racist?
These folks explained it pretty well, but I still don't think she should be suspended for her comments. Also, HTF do comments hurt people? People need to grow up.
 
#10
#10
So I'm Christian. Do I belong to the "Christian Race"?

I saw you said that already. When you did, I assumed you were 12.

The term Jewish is used to refer to both a group of people and a religion. Have you never met or heard of an atheist Jew?

Seriously, how do you not know this?

It’s so common, they literally have multiple Wikipedia pages.

List of Jewish atheists and agnostics - Wikipedia
 
#11
#11
I saw you said that already. When you did, I assumed you were 12.

The term Jewish is used to refer to both a group of people and a religion. Have you never met or heard of an atheist Jew?

Seriously, how do you not know this?

I was baptized Lutheran which makes me a Christian, but I'm agnostic. So I'm an agnostic Christian.

You say, "The term Jewish is used to refer to both a group of people and a religion."

How are Christians NOT a group of people?

Again, do I belong to the "Christian Race"?
 
#12
#12
I was baptized Lutheran which makes me a Christian, but I'm agnostic. So I'm an agnostic Christian.

You say, "The term Jewish is used to refer to both a group of people and a religion."

How are Christians NOT a group of people?

Again, do I belong to the "Christian Race"?

You belong to an idiot race, obviously. Christianity is far wider spread and far more permissive of marrying outside of their faith. So their is no genetic, ethnic, nor racial component to Christianity.

Is this entire thread just your way of embracing ignorance? Do you really believe hitler just hated the Jewish religion?
 
#14
#14
In her eyes, the Holocaust was okay since it was a "white on white" situation.

Really dude? Pathetic.
You belong to an idiot race, obviously. Christianity is far wider spread and far more permissive of marrying outside of their faith. So their is no genetic, ethnic, nor racial component to Christianity.

Is this entire thread just your way of embracing ignorance? Do you really believe hitler just hated the Jewish religion?

Name-calling is beneath you, man. Come on.

If I'm an ignorant idiot, then educate me.

If Jewish is a race, then is Christian also a race? If no, why not?

If I renounce Christianity and become Jewish, have I changed races?

Here's a Federal HUD "Race and Ethnic Data Reporting Form". Help me find the box to check off "Jewish".
 
#15
#15
So Whoopi Goldberg is suspended for 2 weeks from her TV show for making the following comment:
So, then, how is Whoopi wrong when she says the Holocaust is NOT based on race? Seems to me, Hitler hated people of the Jewish faith, hence the basis for the Holocaust. He hated them because of their religious beliefs, not the color of their skin (READ: RACE). Right?
.

"Is not their very existence founded on one great lie, namely, that they are a religious community, whereas in reality they are a race?"-Mein Kampf

Race is not merely "the color of your skin"
 
Last edited:
#16
#16
Really dude? Pathetic.


Name-calling is beneath you, man. Come on.

If I'm an ignorant idiot, then educate me.

If Jewish is a race, then is Christian also a race? If no, why not?

If I renounce Christianity and become Jewish, have I changed races?

I explained why in the previous post. You ignored it. You didn’t even attempt to acknowledge or counter a single point I made. Then cry “educate me”
 
Last edited:
#17
#17
I can totally see anyone being confused by this. We all know Hitler saw them as an inferior "race" but does that make them a race? Not being a smarty pants, real question.

Are/were Gentiles considered a race? Protestants? Converts to Judaism?

You don't see Jewish as a choice on a home loan application.

Ancient skeleton studies point to them resembling today's people of Iraq.

"Jewish" to me has always been a confusing characterization because you're not sure if it's references a people, religion, etc.

Since Hitler and the Nazis considered Judaism to be a separate race than Aryan the Holocaust was about race. So Whoopi is wrong in that regard.

Judaism isn’t a race it’s a religion but in the context of history Whoopi demonstrated her ignorance.
 
#18
#18
Since Hitler and the Nazis considered Judaism to be a separate race than Aryan the Holocaust was about race. So Whoopi is wrong in that regard.

Judaism isn’t a race it’s a religion but in the context of history Whoopi demonstrated her ignorance.

What do you call people of Jewish ancestry who do not practice their faith? Bob Dylan for example?

If your answer is just white, then I’d argue you’re ignoring long recognized ethnic/racial categories such as Slavic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Orangeslice13
#19
#19
Hitler also thought Slavs were an inferior race. Jehovah Witnesses were also one of the first groups Hitler went after as many refused military service and wouldn't pledge their loyalty to his regime.
 
#20
#20
Whoopi has no eye brows and no brain. Dumbest thing said on TV. She shouldn’t be suspended, she needs to be fired.
Monty, if she wasn’t wrong then why did she already apologize?
 
  • Like
Reactions: UT_Dutchman
#21
#21
@MontyPython at a minimum you need to acknowledge your claim that Hitler was concerned with the Jewish faith and not “race” is 100% incorrect
 
#22
#22
So I'm Christian. Do I belong to the "Christian Race"?
No, they were just easily identified because of their religion. They were singled out because they are a semetic race in Europe who happened to practice Judaism. Hitler needed a Boogeyman to leverage the master Aryan race against. It isn't that difficult, Whoopie just used a very simplistic view, Jews were singled out as belonging to an inferior race and persecuted=racism
 
#23
#23
These folks explained it pretty well, but I still don't think she should be suspended for her comments. Also, HTF do comments hurt people? People need to grow up.

I don’t think she should be suspended either, but she’s reaping what she and the other idiots on the show have been sowing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AM64
#24
#24
What do you call people of Jewish ancestry who do not practice their faith? Bob Dylan for example?

If your answer is just white, then I’d argue you’re ignoring long recognized ethnic/racial categories such as Slavic.

It doesn’t matter what I call people in the context of this discussion. Hitler and the nazis believed Jews were a race and not simply a religion people that converted from Judaism to Christianity even prior to the race laws were still considered Jewish by the Nazis so the Holocaust was about race.

IMO Judaism is not a race anymore than being a Baptist is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AM64 and Vol8188
#25
#25
I don’t think she should be suspended either, but she’s reaping what she and the other idiots on the show have been sowing.

I agree. I think a better option would have been for her boss to make her read 10 chapters of Mein Kampf every night and discuss what she learned on the show. Hiding ignorance does nobody any good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Carl Pickens

VN Store



Back
Top