Okay, now I *do* have a Jewish-related question.

[conuly]

I vaguely know who the Jews for Jesus and Messianic Jews are. I'm curious, though - the few times I've heard them mentioned, it's been with some hostility. Why?

Comments

[cumaeansibyl.livejournal.com]

As I understand it, Jews for Jesus are really aggressive in their conversion tactics -- like some branches of fundamentalist Christianity, except that they go after Jews exclusively. Any forceful attempt at conversion gets annoying, but the Jewish people I know are particularly irritated by Jews for Jesus because it's so much more personal -- not only is it a conversion attempt, it's also a way of saying "Hey, you're doing Judaism wrong."

The Christian organization on campus called in JfJ last year. Boy, was Hillel ever pissed. Same way that the GLBTSO was pissed when they brought in one of those "God can cure the gay" groups...

[lakidaa.livejournal.com]

Ok, I know what the GLBT mean, but SO?

[frogmajick.livejournal.com]

I'd bet it means "student organization."

[ladytalon.livejournal.com]

Dendrobates azureus! I love your icon.

[leora.livejournal.com]

That's part of why I hate them. While some of the actual Jews for Jesus are perfectly nice dupes, the organization is, IMO, hypocritical. If you truly believe that the divine being says the best way to live is to keep the Torah and also follow the teachings of Jesus, then why not convert both Jews and Christians? The fact that they only try to convert Jews, to me, says they are just trying to stealthily turn Jews into Christians and the entire organization is built on deceipt.

I have a great deal of respect for many religions and many Christians I know, but I like my religion to be honest.

[staircase-wit.livejournal.com]

Agressive, and illegal. They're known to lock the doors on auditoriums. Not only in violation of fire safety laws, but in fact commiting the crime of false arrest.