Of course he is Jewish. He no longer practices or believes in the Jewish faith, but he remains Jewish, just like Christian Germans are Germans.

He doesn't speak for Judaism, obviously, but he is, to quote Chabad's Web site (article about people trying to quit Judaism) "Jewish as Moses and Ariel Sharon".

I understand the party line on this, and it may be so from a genetic or matrilineal sense, but from a religious practice and belief sense, I don't think so.  One of Chabad's missions is to find people and help them 'return' to the faith.  Question, how can they return if they never left?

To me Sodaiho, it's like going back to the world after visiting heaven whether you're Jew or Gentle making this type of decision. 

Once you've seen the light (Jesus) , it's impossible to return to the darkness for any length of time because you already know what's on the other side waiting for you. 

That's the best way I can describe it. 

But faith is subjective.

Muslims believe that Jews lost their faith when they refused to accept Jesus as prophet and Messiah.

Christians believe that Jews should have accepted Jesus as Messiah and son of G-d.

Qaraites (Jewish such) believed that Jews shouldn't have accepted the oral Torah and Talmud as G-d's truth.

Samaritans believe that Jews shouldn't have accepted Nevi3im and Ketuvim (Hebrew Bible following the Torah).

Mandaeans believe that the Israelites prayed to the wrong god ever since before the Exodus.

But a Jew is still a Jew and that's the only thing that matters. If the Jewish religion is true, what a Jew believes doesn't change his status of being a Jew.

The problem is that so-called Messianic Jews go around masquerading as authentic Jews, yet they have zip status within the tradition and their message is always suspect as it is the message of another faith.  We could say they are Jews but not Jewish, perhaps.

KFC, You see Jesus as your light, wonderful, may you be a blessing.  Jews see God as the light. May we all be a blessing.

Be well.

BTW, that party line is pure PC.  Here is the complete responsa on the subject:

 (I apologize for the legnth)

CCAR RESPONSA

(Central Conference of American Rabbis)

Contemporary American Reform Responsa

 68. Status of a "Completed Jew" in the Jewish

Community

QUESTION: There are a number of individuals in the 

 

 

 community who consider themselves as "completed Jews" or "Messianic Jews"; they accept Jesus as their savior, but, nevertheless, still feel Jewish "in their hearts." How should the congregation view such individuals? (Rabbi A. S. Task, Greensboro, NC)

ANSWER:

 

 nevertheless, remained Jewish (Isaac ber Sheshet; Simon ben Zemah of Duran, but on some occasions he did not grant this status; Solomon ben Solomon; Zemah ben Solomon).

(2) Those who considered the apostate as Jewish only in matters of 

matrimony (and so their offsprings were Jewish), but not in any other area (Samuel de Medina).

(3) Marranos (anussim) were non-Jews in every respect including 

matters of marriage; their children were not considered to be Jews (Judah Berab, Jacob Berab, Moses ben Elias Kapsali, etc.).

(4) An apostate was worse than a Gentile (ben 

Veniste, Mercado ben Abraham).

(5) Descendants of the Marranos who have been 

baptized were like Jewish children who have been taken captive by non-Jews, and their children are Jewish (Samuel ben Abraham Aboa).

A full discussion of the problem may be 

found in H. J. Zimmel's Die Marranen in de Rabbinischen Literatur pp. 21 ff. One extreme position was held by Solomon ben Simon Duran (Rashbash Responsa #89) who felt that not only the apostate but also the children would continue to be considered Jewish forever into the future as long as the maternal line was Jewish. He also felt that nothing needed to be done by any generation of such apostates when they returned to Judaism. No ritual bath or any other act was considered necessary or desirable. In fact, he emphasized that no attention be given to their previous state, for that might discourage their return. Rabbenu Gershom similarly urged the quiet acceptance of all who returned to Judaism (Mahzor Vitry pp. 96, 97).

The 

other extreme has been presented by Hai Gaon as cited in a slightly different fashion by Rashi (in his commentary to Kid. 68b and Lev. 24.10). He felt that any returning apostate, or the children of a Jewish mother who had apostasized, were potentially Jewish but must undergo a process akin to conversion if they wished to become part of the Jewish community. That point of view was rejected by most later scholars, as for example, Nahmanides (in his commentary to Leviticus 24.10; Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 268.10 f; Ezekiel Laudau, Noda Biyehuda #150, etc.). We, therefore, have two opposing positions in rabbinic literature; both, of course, represented reaction to particular historic conditions. Solomon ben Simon of Duran wished to make it easy for a large number of Marranos to return to Judaism; unfortunately this did not occur. Even when it was possible for Jews to leave Spain, the majority chose to remain. Rashi's harsh attitude probably reflected the small number of apostates who were a thorn in the side of the French community. The later tradition chose a middle path and encouraged the apostate's return along with some studies, but without a formal conversion process. Even if an apostate indicated no desire to return to Judaism, he would, nevertheless, be considered as part of the Jewish people (San 44a). A summary of special laws which were applied to apostates would include a number of matters mainly connected with family law. The marriage of an apostate who left Judaism under duress, if performed according to Jewish law, was valid (Yeb 30b; Shulhan Arukh Even Haezer 44.9). The rules of divorce when apostates were involved were modified; such individuals were not considered to be reliable witnesses except in the case of an agunah. Penalties could be imposed on their inheritance (Kid. 18a) although they did possess the right of inheritance (B. B. 108a, 11a). Normal mourning rites should not be observed for such persons (M. San. 6.6; Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 345.5). Clearly apostates stood outside the community in all but relatively few matters until their repentance.

Each of these cases cited above, of course, dealt with apostasy under 

greater or lesser duress. Outside pressures played a major role in the lives of the individuals involved. This is not the case with the "Completed Jew." We would, therefore, be stricter with her than with individuals who were forced into a position of becoming Christian. For us such modern willing apostate is a non-Jew. In this matter we would disagree with the Talmud and later tradition (Bech. 30b; see "An Apostate Proselyte," American Reform Responsa, #71 for further references).

We can not, and should not, exclude such individuals from 

attendance at services, classes or any other activity of the community, for we always hold the hope that they will return to Judaism and disassociate themselves from Christianity. But they should be seen as outsiders who have placed themselves outside the Jewish community. This should be made very clear to them and to the Jewish and general community, especially as many such individuals are active proselytizers . Such individuals should not be accorded membership in the congregation or treated in any way which makes them appear as if they were affiliated with the Jewish community, for that poses a clear danger to the Jewish community and also to its relationships with the general community. We certainly do not want these individuals to speak for Judaism in any public forum. In conclusion, we should make the distinction between ourselves and these individuals very clear to them, to the Jewish community and to the general community around us.

First, God's will is clearly stated in His Books as commands and guidelines. and the barometer is very simple KFC:

1- As a minimum ... fulfill the commands

2-Follow the guidelines AS MUCH AS YOU CAN without violating the commands (He said that He does not ask from anyone more than what they can bear ... no fooling here ... He knows what everyone can bear   )

3- The more you perfect your following of the commands and guidelines the more you will be rewarded ...

4- All good deeds are rewarded 10 times over as a minumum (all the way to 700 times and MORE).

how could it be more simple and clear?

See TA I can't see how these two statements mesh.  How do you know how much is "as much as you can?" 

Where's the measurement or the line we need to cross to show we are, indeed, good enough?   What happens when God says......"you thought you did as much as you could but you really fell short.  You deceieved yourself into believing you did enough when in fact your attemps were pitiful." 

That's why Jesus said there is none good but God.  All thru the OT it says no one did it right.  Even Abraham was justified because of his faith in the one who would come.  He wasn't justified in himself because he was "good enough."

See starting with the OT and moving forward many tried and failed at the attempts to keep God's law, because it was impossible to keep.  The law was only to show the Jews that yes, they indeed all fall short and that one day a Messiah would come and take their place.  He was the only one who would ultimately keep the law perfectly and so our righteousness is not found in ourselves but in the one who took our place. 

For me, as A Christian, it's his righteousness I'm judged on, not my own, because I can NEVER bee good enough.  There is no "as much as you can" in my vocabulary.  Jesus did it all perfectly. 

And that's already where the problem starts. What commands?

When G-d gave orders to some desert people, how are we to know which of those orders also applies in the north? (How do you fast all day on the north pole?)

And what if other people don't care about G-d's commands, make up stories about Him having changed His mind (He just didn't tell anybody), and then oppose you?

With that I agree.

That is irrelevant. We should follow G-d's wish not because we will be rewarded for it but out of respect for His love for us.

Islam and Christianity are full with promises of rewards for believers. A real believer doesn't need a reward or a promise.

And that's even more problematic. Why would I care how much interest my investment in G-d will produce? If I believe and do what G-d wants because of my love for G-d (and His love for me), why does He promise me a reward? Does He expect a reward from me for His faith in me and His good deeds for mankind?

People do what they believe G-d wants them to do because they expect a reward or because it is convenient to do so. There are long essays describing the first (which applies very much to Islam and Christianity) and most people don't even realise the futility of trying to explain that doing good deeds for a reward is a moral imperative.

The little I give to charity I do not give because I will be rewarded for it (and I don't believe I will be) but because Jewish law says that I have to try to improve the world. It's not a joy for me to give because I want to keep my money and spend it on nice things I enjoy.

If the world was perfect and nobody needed charity I would be happy because I wouldn't have to give.

Comon KFC, everyone knows how much he/she can do .. and remember... He said " no deed is rewarde more than obeying my commands" ... and there is no "how much in that" ... you dont steal ... you dont have sex outside marriage ... you dont lie .. you dont kill ... etc. these are things you either do or you dont. other guidelines .... the more you do the better ... simple KFC ... dont complicate it. And i am not talking from the hip here:

One time a non-muslim came to the prophet and asked him what does he have to do to become a Muslim and what would he get from God for it?

the prophet told him the 5 pillars (Belief in one God and His messengers, Prayer 5 times,  Fast Ramadan, Pay Zakat, and Hajj if you can afford it) ... and do a little more of each if you can ... the man said is that it? the prophet said yes.

the man said "By god, i will not do any more than those five things" then the man left. ... the prophet said " he will be successful if he is truthful.

so you see KFC ... God is very generous ... and He only asks for being honest in obeying the commands ... the rest is a bonus ... the more you do the more you will to get.

and you are correct in that no matter what we do ... we dont  even do enough in response to his bounties on us in this life .. let alone in the hearafter. but he doesny ask for a reward or a price for those bounties KFC. He only ask that we accknowledge his existence by obeying his commands ... nothing else ... anythng else we do He considers it an extra effort on our part to please Him ... and He gives a huge bonus for that ...

that is the job of prophets and messengers and after them scholars to make jugments on those circumstances and situations .... ... he could have sent His books by Angels dropping it on a Moutain somewhere and tell people go and read and follow it ... he sent prophets and messengers to make sure that people have a realistic way of following the commands and the guidelines

ooh Leauki .... you and KFC are complicating it ....

what you said is the ultimate goal ... but how many of us achieve that??? ... you know what he said regarding that?

he said "of those ther will be many in the beginning ... and very few at the end..."

so yes Leauki ... that is the ideal ... but he knows that those are very few especially nowadays ...

Well it's not OUR standard, it's HIS standard that has to be met and that's the problem.  According to the scriptures ONLY perfection will do.   We have to be perfect if we are going to get into heaven.  Only complete perfection will do. 

That's the problem.  None of us can acheive perfection.  Jesus even said, knowing this, that our righteousness had to EXCEED the righteousness of the Pharisees for us to enter heaven. 

I can almost hear the gasp from the crowd when he said those words.  Everyone thought the Pharisees were sooooo spiritual and perfect so how could they acheive more than these leaders of Israel? 

 Hint:  there's only ONE WAY!

If you read the Sermon on the Mount you'd see that Jesus dismantles their belief in human achievement in religion which angered the Pharisees (of course) but won the hearts of the people who were under the same type of bondage you're promoting TA. 

He went past their actions and went after their thoughts.  So it doesn't matter how hard you try to climb the ladder TA.  Just one bad thought and you fall down. 

In the old days, when people died young and mothers died in child birth and many children died in infancy, children were considered a blessing. It was in people's interest to have lots of children.

Now the world is more perfect, people live long, mothers with very few exceptions always survive child birth and few children die in infancy. Following the old commandment to see children as a blessing is no longer convenient.

How do we reconcile these issues with faith?

Yes, but read Leauki's posts.  Never being a muslim is not as bad as having been one and then converted to another religion.

Farrakhan's Messiah has just named Rahm Emanuel, a staunch Zionist and son of an Irgun member, his White House chief of staff.

That's one for Obama and zero for Farrakhan.

what do you mean?  Because Farrakhan hates the Jews? 

You know what's interesting?  The AC in the end times will have a right hand man who is called the False Prophet.  The False Prophet will be Jewish.  He's described as looking like a lamb but will speak like a dragon.

This false prophet  will do miracles similar to that of Elijah.  Remember the Jews for centuries have been waiting for Elijah to come?   Right now it's looking like Obama is looking for Jews to fill his cabinet.  Someone told me he's got three right now pegged for spots in his administration.

Interesting.