Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

Geoff332 · Sep 24, 2003, 07:20 pm

I've heard the term mentioned, but never really chased down what it means.

GreatWyrm of Babylon · Sep 27, 2003, 10:48 am

I have to guess, but I think I know to what you are referring.

During the Inquisition, a new 'sect' was invented, it consisted of Jews that agreed to give up their religion to escape prosecution and torture. They were hated by their fellow Jews, and were not allowed to rejoin after the Inquisition was over. They were also not given much status by the Christians of the time, which only considered them one step up for 'unrepented' Jews. They probably gave many Jews that would have broken another reason to die before losing their faith, since they were treated as traitors or cowards depending on the situation.

I actually knew a member of this sect a number of years back, because I saw his religious symbol and asked what it was. But since our conversations were limited to the times that we both decided to use the local pool, my knowledge is less than complete.

Section 8 · Sep 27, 2003, 11:42 am

Well I'm a reform (no ed) Jew so I will do my best to describe the religion. Most likely if you meet a Jew he is a reform Jew. Judaism is divided into three main groups: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox Jews follow the Torah almost word for word, and are more like the Jews of old. A Reform Jew on the other hand is the more modern Jew, who has adapted the teachings of the Torah for a more modern society. Some Reform Jews (like myself) believe that the Torah is more of a metaphor instead of word for word truth. A conservative is the middle ground.

Hope this Helps
Shalom

GreatWyrm of Babylon · Sep 27, 2003, 05:49 pm

Section 8
Could you tell me the name of the sect I was thinking of? I seem to have forgotten both the name and the holy symbol of the sect to which I reffered...

Section 8 · Sep 27, 2003, 11:41 pm

Hmmmm, not sure what your talking about GWB because your story seems off. Yes, many Jews did convert to escape torture and death. Most of the converts continued being Jews, but in secret. In fact on Yom Kippur a Jew says a prayer that nullifys all vows that a Jew has made over the past year. Interesting though, I'll have to look into it.

Have Fun
Shalom

Geoff332 · Sep 28, 2003, 06:30 am

Am I right in guessing that secular jews are jews by heritage (I seem to recall that being jewish is defined matriachially -- but that could be my confustion), but do not practice judaism?

G. Adams · Oct 1, 2003, 05:02 pm

Don't shoot me down for saying this, but I was told the matriarchical passing on of being a Jew comes from old male stereotypes of women as whores. If the mother is a jew, then the child is at least half jewish, whereas if just the guy is, theres a chance that the lass was sleeping around and is carrying a totally none jew.

Oct 1, 2003, 05:02 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
G. Adams Fyrdman Location: Middlesbrough UK Posts: 4,152	Don't shoot me down for saying this, but I was told the matriarchical passing on of being a Jew comes from old male stereotypes of women as whores. If the mother is a jew, then the child is at least half jewish, whereas if just the guy is, theres a chance that the lass was sleeping around and is carrying a totally none jew. Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill

Sep 24, 2003, 07:20 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
Geoff332 Igneous Magma Location: New Zealand Posts: 309	I've heard the term mentioned, but never really chased down what it means.

Sep 27, 2003, 10:48 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
GreatWyrm of Babylon Avatar of Tiamut Location: Dallas, Texas (Irving) Posts: 848	I have to guess, but I think I know to what you are referring. During the Inquisition, a new 'sect' was invented, it consisted of Jews that agreed to give up their religion to escape prosecution and torture. They were hated by their fellow Jews, and were not allowed to rejoin after the Inquisition was over. They were also not given much status by the Christians of the time, which only considered them one step up for 'unrepented' Jews. They probably gave many Jews that would have broken another reason to die before losing their faith, since they were treated as traitors or cowards depending on the situation. I actually knew a member of this sect a number of years back, because I saw his religious symbol and asked what it was. But since our conversations were limited to the times that we both decided to use the local pool, my knowledge is less than complete.

Sep 27, 2003, 11:42 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
Section 8 Hot Lava Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 782	Well I'm a reform (no ed) Jew so I will do my best to describe the religion. Most likely if you meet a Jew he is a reform Jew. Judaism is divided into three main groups: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox Jews follow the Torah almost word for word, and are more like the Jews of old. A Reform Jew on the other hand is the more modern Jew, who has adapted the teachings of the Torah for a more modern society. Some Reform Jews (like myself) believe that the Torah is more of a metaphor instead of word for word truth. A conservative is the middle ground. Hope this Helps Shalom

Sep 27, 2003, 05:49 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
GreatWyrm of Babylon Avatar of Tiamut Location: Dallas, Texas (Irving) Posts: 848	Section 8 Could you tell me the name of the sect I was thinking of? I seem to have forgotten both the name and the holy symbol of the sect to which I reffered...

Sep 27, 2003, 11:41 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Section 8 Hot Lava Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 782	Hmmmm, not sure what your talking about GWB because your story seems off. Yes, many Jews did convert to escape torture and death. Most of the converts continued being Jews, but in secret. In fact on Yom Kippur a Jew says a prayer that nullifys all vows that a Jew has made over the past year. Interesting though, I'll have to look into it. Have Fun Shalom

Sep 28, 2003, 06:30 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
Geoff332 Igneous Magma Location: New Zealand Posts: 309	Am I right in guessing that secular jews are jews by heritage (I seem to recall that being jewish is defined matriachially -- but that could be my confustion), but do not practice judaism?