[QUOTE=Devinlaw;626873]Careful - that whole "roots of Christianity" stuff doesn' t make much sense to Jews (and it's a little offensive.  To most Jews you can say the roots of EST are Jewish too (the guy that started it was).

Also, converts to Judaism are NOT suppose to refer EVER to themselves as converts.  They are Jewish.  Sort of a don't ask, don't tell.  But, then, I'm conservative and that's what I was taught.[/QUOTE]

I was taught that converts can tell, but nobody is supposed to ask.  That it is a sin to remind someone of what they were before, that it might make the person feel ashamed, but if the person wants to, they can refer to it.

That being said, just about everyone always knows anyway.

I'm considering converting to Judaism myself, and if you're looking for books about Judaism/conversion one thing that I find helpful is to shop on amazon.com because they have this thing where you can read an excerpt from many of the books to see if it is really what you are looking for in a book.

[QUOTE=bvarnell;551146]lol! I love Religions and studying Religion and so when i get on kicks with a particular religion i often ask alot of questions! But, in all seriousness, Judaism is SO interesting to me, after all its like Christianities Parent!  Maybe ill convert maybe i wont idk, but i love studying Judaism so....[/QUOTE]

Hey, no problem!  You ask very good questions. 

I didn't start to convert till I was 50 -- I think you have plenty of time.;)

[QUOTE=mlarue75;550474]I take it you're considering conversion.  [/QUOTE]

I just looked at your profile and then your history and see that you're asking everyone the same question.  This is fascinating.  Are you writing a book or a paper?  If not, you might consider it.  It would be fascinating reading.  You'll know so much when you're done.

Not that you asked, and knowing that free advice is worth what you pay for it:  Unless you're strongly drawn to another tradition or very unhappy where you are, I think you'd do best to stay with the Episcopalians.  That's what I was before I converted.  Good folks there.

[QUOTE=bvarnell;548856]Has anyone here converted to Judaism?

Why did you?[/QUOTE]Hi, welcome back.  I remember you were here before, but not any details.

Quite a few of us are converts.  I did the whole Christianity thing -- preacher's kid and grandkid, seminary, some graduate school -- trying to fit in and never believing that Jesus was God or son of God.  Well OK, I did for two weeks in 1979. 

When I was 15 I met a real Jew.  My friend asked about communion and I told her what it was about.  ICK! she said, and I could see what she meant.  Cannibalism?  ICK!  She took me to Kol Nidre and I fell in love with the music and the language and was fascinated by the people I saw around me. They were praying in a way I'd neve seen, but with such intensity!

In my later studies I determined that from the NT at least, Christianity has always been opposed to Judaism.  I studied Judaism and almost converted then, but gave Christianity one last try.  One Easter as I was singing in the choir I realized I couldn't go on with it and I wouldn't be back.   I contacted a rabbi and began the conversion process.  I never had a doubt or a regret.  I'm happy to have found my spiritual home.

In my liberal Christian upbringing I learned that Judaism is a sad, sombre, and impossibly difficult relgion,  This is total nonsense.  Judaism is full of joy, learning, and lots of food.:p  I think if people knew what Judaism is like, more would convert.  One thing I like (among many) is that in general, Jews value education more than Christians.  It makes Torah study fascinating because many people have studied beyond early adolescence, where most Christian education ends. 

I take it you're considering conversion.  Books are wonderful but nothing beats talking to people  and going to services.  I hope you're speaking with a rabbi.  Don't worry about being pressured; they'll probably slow you down.  They want to make sure you know what you're doing before taking this momentous step.