I'm scared I'll act weird around Jewish people

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DevilKisses
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13 Nov 2014, 2:32 pm

Jensen wrote:
I remember, that you talked about converting to judaism some time ago and was probably talked out of it again. If you are in some way fascinated, - go for it, learn about it.
You will guaranteed meet jewish people, or people with jewish ancestors, if you attend classes in hebrew, jewish history or other cultural subjects.
That ought to eliminate fear and weirdness and help you to come to a decision, if that´s what´s really bugging you.

I'm not thinking of converting right now. I'm just scared that this special interest will eventually make me want to convert. Right now I'm just thinking way too much about Jewish people. I bet if people could read my mind they would think I'm antisemitic. My more immediate worry is acting weird around Jewish people.


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sharkattack
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13 Nov 2014, 2:37 pm

DevilKisses wrote:
Sweetleaf wrote:
What do you think you will do that is weird?

Stare at them too much, treat them differently, act "too friendly" and talk too much about Jewish stuff.


Jews are a race not a religion.

Jews that follow the Talmud as their religion have nothing in common with Christianity.

The Talmad is not about saving souls and spreading the word like the Bible.

As regards Jews themselves they are just individuals and many of them do not even believe in God.

Jews that do follow religion do not all follow the same religion much like other religions are broken into sects.

OP your obsession is not based on a real understanding of the subject.

There are a number of Jewish members on this board and like the rest of us Autism is what has most impact on thier lives not race or religion.

OP if you want to join a religion go and find one that actually wants converts or better still do a Homer Simpson and start your own. :D

I was raised Catholic but if somebody had an obsession with that religion I would give the same advice.

OP I know you won't drop your obsession but I had to give it a try.



Last edited by sharkattack on 13 Nov 2014, 2:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

friedmacguffins
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13 Nov 2014, 2:37 pm

I have been interested in foreign food, comparative religion, import/export business, and it has led me to unusual, social situations. The best advice I can give you is that different people will have different responses, to being asked about their culture, on a case-by-case basis, based on their own personal experiences -- particularly in examples of integration, when someone might be in a state of identity crisis. A pale white, among the darkest Mexicans. A half-Phillipino with a cowboy hat. The kind of people, who, situationally, seem to be the odd men out, were, by far, the most sensitive.

I have been a conspicuous presence in the 'safe' places of other ethnic groups and offended them, on occasion. (Typically, mildy.) It's a legitimate concern.

Probably based on a rumor, I have gained some notoriety at a school, which I attended. Many people asked about my identity, including self-identified Jews. I was not prepared with an answer, at the time. I neither thought it would be a good thing, nor bad. This only fueled the speculation.

If the question seems to be rude, send me a PM. If I am capable, I will answer, frankly, and to the best of my ability, without embarrassing you. I do not claim to know everything, nor to speak on behalf of all people, but I had eventually invested a considerable effort into this line of discussion.



DevilKisses
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13 Nov 2014, 2:54 pm

friedmacguffins wrote:
I have been interested in foreign food, comparative religion, import/export business, and it has led me to unusual, social situations. The best advice I can give you is that different people will have different responses, to being asked about their culture, on a case-by-case basis, based on their own personal experiences -- particularly in examples of integration, when someone might be in a state of identity crisis. A pale white, among the darkest Mexicans. A half-Phillipino with a cowboy hat. The kind of people, who, situationally, seem to be the odd men out, were, by far, the most sensitive.

I have been a conspicuous presence in the 'safe' places of other ethnic groups and offended them, on occasion. (Typically, mildy.) It's a legitimate concern.

Probably based on a rumor, I have gained some notoriety at a school, which I attended. Many people asked about my identity, including self-identified Jews. I was not prepared with an answer, at the time. I neither thought it would be a good thing, nor bad. This only fueled the speculation.

If the question seems to be rude, send me a PM. If I am capable, I will answer, frankly, and to the best of my ability, without embarrassing you. I do not claim to know everything, nor to speak on behalf of all people, but I had eventually invested a considerable effort into this line of discussion.

huh?


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friedmacguffins
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13 Nov 2014, 3:16 pm

What is the first part you had difficulty with.



DevilKisses
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13 Nov 2014, 3:20 pm

friedmacguffins wrote:
What is the first part you had difficulty with.

If the question seems to be rude, send me a PM


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friedmacguffins
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13 Nov 2014, 3:27 pm

I have thoroughly investigated my own Jewish roots and may be able to answer questions about Jews and Judaism.

I am not being judgmental.

Noone else will have the opportunity to be judgmental.



friedmacguffins
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13 Nov 2014, 3:29 pm

Or, if you prefer to ask questions, openly, I will answer as respectfully as possible.



sharkattack
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13 Nov 2014, 5:10 pm

friedmacguffins wrote:
Or, if you prefer to ask questions, openly, I will answer as respectfully as possible.


First of all I consider you a person.

Secondly I consider you a person on the spectrum just like me. :)

I would like to ask a few questions via PM if that is ok.



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13 Nov 2014, 5:15 pm

DevilKisses wrote:
Jensen wrote:
I remember, that you talked about converting to judaism some time ago and was probably talked out of it again. If you are in some way fascinated, - go for it, learn about it.
You will guaranteed meet jewish people, or people with jewish ancestors, if you attend classes in hebrew, jewish history or other cultural subjects.
That ought to eliminate fear and weirdness and help you to come to a decision, if that´s what´s really bugging you.

I'm not thinking of converting right now. I'm just scared that this special interest will eventually make me want to convert. Right now I'm just thinking way too much about Jewish people. I bet if people could read my mind they would think I'm antisemitic. My more immediate worry is acting weird around Jewish people.


But if you are interested in that religion and people in it and who are part of the culture and what not...that is hardly anti-antisemitism. That would be if you think you're superior to them, better than them or that they're inferior, basically if you had a hateful attitude towards them. That said staring at someone can be weird, sometimes people think if someones staring at them they have a problem with them...I know if I see someone who seems to be staring at me I wonder if they got an issue with me unless I am wearing something really interesting and that seems to be their focus.


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DevilKisses
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13 Nov 2014, 5:24 pm

Sweetleaf wrote:
DevilKisses wrote:
Jensen wrote:
I remember, that you talked about converting to judaism some time ago and was probably talked out of it again. If you are in some way fascinated, - go for it, learn about it.
You will guaranteed meet jewish people, or people with jewish ancestors, if you attend classes in hebrew, jewish history or other cultural subjects.
That ought to eliminate fear and weirdness and help you to come to a decision, if that´s what´s really bugging you.

I'm not thinking of converting right now. I'm just scared that this special interest will eventually make me want to convert. Right now I'm just thinking way too much about Jewish people. I bet if people could read my mind they would think I'm antisemitic. My more immediate worry is acting weird around Jewish people.


But if you are interested in that religion and people in it and who are part of the culture and what not...that is hardly anti-antisemitism. That would be if you think you're superior to them, better than them or that they're inferior, basically if you had a hateful attitude towards them. That said staring at someone can be weird, sometimes people think if someones staring at them they have a problem with them...I know if I see someone who seems to be staring at me I wonder if they got an issue with me unless I am wearing something really interesting and that seems to be their focus.

I sometimes get anti Semitic sounding thoughts like "I'm driving by the synagogue and I see a Jewish looking guy. Lol" I'm smart enough not to say those thoughts out loud because I know they sound anti Semitic.


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13 Nov 2014, 11:09 pm

Tequila wrote:
Graelwyn wrote:
There really is nothing different about us to anyone else.
We are just human beings.
I could maybe understand an interest in the culture or the religion, but not just in Jewish people per se.


Whereas I thought you were Welsh or something! :D



One can be Welsh and Jewish, or any other nationality and Jewish (eg Iraqui, Iranian, even Ethiopean).

Similarly, one can be Israeli by nationality and Arab by race or culture.



androbot01
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13 Nov 2014, 11:16 pm

Are you acting weird around Jewish people because you are having anti-Semitic thoughts?



Callista
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14 Nov 2014, 12:40 am

The opposite, I think. S/he's fascinated with Judaism, and probably afraid that s/he will act weird in the way that a person who meets a favorite famous actor might act weird, looking stupid or embarrassing the other person.

Maybe you'd better just meet some Jewish people and get to know them, so it will get to be familiar and not so intimidating anymore, and you'll stop worrying about it. They are regular people--by that, I mean that most things about them have to do with who they are rather than with them being Jewish--and you would probably find it reassuring to see that normalcy about them. That way when you think of "Jewish" you can think of those regular people that you've met, instead of the many things you've learned that are different about them.


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14 Nov 2014, 1:41 am

LupaLuna wrote:
I'd be more worried about acting weird in front of everybody.

Came to say the exact same thing.



DevilKisses
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14 Nov 2014, 2:10 am

Callista wrote:
The opposite, I think. S/he's fascinated with Judaism, and probably afraid that s/he will act weird in the way that a person who meets a favorite famous actor might act weird, looking stupid or embarrassing the other person.

Maybe you'd better just meet some Jewish people and get to know them, so it will get to be familiar and not so intimidating anymore, and you'll stop worrying about it. They are regular people--by that, I mean that most things about them have to do with who they are rather than with them being Jewish--and you would probably find it reassuring to see that normalcy about them. That way when you think of "Jewish" you can think of those regular people that you've met, instead of the many things you've learned that are different about them.

Yeah I'm scared that I'll treat them like some exotic and fascinating creature. Kind of like how people treat me when they find out I'm Hispanic or find out about my diagnosis. I know how it feels and I don't want people to go through that just because of my stupid obsession. I do know one Jewish person and I talked to him last night. I think I was more engaged than usual, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Since I've known him for a while it was kind of hard to act too weird.


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