Being referred to as ‘Jew’

[YaMuvva]

Is it just me who has been raised to use “Jewish people” as a preference because “Jew” is too often used as a slur and the German equivalent was barked at Jewish people by SS officers during the Holocaust? To clarify I came from a secular household that - and I always say this - did the fun bits, broke the rules and I am not now religious. I’d love to know from a religious perspective if language about how Jewish people define themselves is problematic.

I rarely use Jew - am I the only one? I’ve been called ridiculous for this before (by non-Jewish people, or non-Jews if you prefer)

Just to add though- I was not brought up in a religious household. Although my parents have become more so in the past 10 years or so. (Reform)

A Red Sea pedestrian?! Well I've never heard that one before @Dilbertian

Is Yid a bit like the acceptability of gentile/goy?

Then you've never watched Monty Python's Life of Brian, Bunnyasmyname 😄

I understand exactly what you mean. I’ve never referred to myself or any other Jewish person as a Jew. I always imagine it said with a curled lip. I was also called this in school and hated it (actually Jewbag but that was in the 70/80s where bullying didn’t exist!)

Jew / Jewish I would use pretty interchangeably without much thought (certainly to describe myself). I think I'd be more likely to say "she is Jewish" if talking about someone else. Yid I would use with people I know well, family etc. because I know some people don't like it but it's our word for us.

I only ever use Jewish rather than Jew for the same reason you mention.

I'm a Catholic.

It's who I am.

I love 'I'm a Jew''

It's very affirmative.

And I do think Judaism and Catholicism are affirmations, they are things we are.

They are good things.

They're OK.

Why would you hate Islam?

Christianity was also once a weird and new religion.

Many aspects of Catholicism are or were not kind. Magdalen Laundries, for example, or the Inquisition. Catholicism also spread through conquest and forced conversion.

It's not religion that is problematic, but the imposition of it, of any religion, with violence and aggression. Islam also teaches Love Thy Neighbour, and to live your life with mindfulness and integrity. Islam teaches that girls as well as boys should be educated, and that women should be supported by their husbands, respected in their businesses and own their own assets.

Fundamentalism, supremacism, intolerance and misogyny are weird and unkind.

Anyway, this is a derail. But I could not stand by and let intolerance and hatred go unchallenged on a thread about how intolerance and hatred has robbed many Jews of their own identity and name.

@Gloriana1 please don’t spread hate and divisiveness. I agree with @Dilbertian

Hatred of Islam is not welcome here.

Sorry. I do apologise.

I'm very angry.

It doesn't help though does it?

What I said was not OK.

@EllaDisenchanted & @Dilbertian .

I am sorry for what I said. It wasn't OK.