Are there any other minority religions besides Judaism which are being hijacked by a majority religion?

marcuss: Are there any other minority religions besides Judaism which are being hijacked by a majority religion?
I’m talking about “messianic Judaism”, which is a sect of Christianity claiming to be a part of Judaism. Their apparent goal is to redefine Judaism as a Christian sect (Jesus, Mary, New Testament, the whole bit) and thereby eliminate Judaism altogether. Is anything similar happening to other minority religions?

Answers and Views:

Answer by J.P.
Nope. Leave it to Christianity to invent something as vile and dishonest as messianic judaism.

How sad is it when you have to lie for your beliefs?

Answer by MSB
I don’t know if I’d call Judaism a minority religion– it is one of the 5 major world religions.

I agree the Messianic Jew organization should associate with Christianity and disassociate itself with Judaism. But I don’t think their attempts to hijack Judaism is working.

Answer by eric k: freezer burned atheist
Not that I’m aware of.

This is probably due to the unique relationship Christianity has with Judaism. Most other faiths are distinct enough that it would be difficult for one to try to co-opt another; not so with Christianity or Judaism, at least to the uninformed.

Answer by I’ve got a ruler!!
Uh, I don’t think they’ve been successful. And don’t you ever get tired of asking this same old question (albeit rephrased)? You’re letting them get to you.

Answer by Déjà moo
Not that I am officially aware of, no.

MSB: Judaism is actually 12th on the list and only has 14 million adherents. The 5th on the list are Chinese traditional religions with 394 million followers. 🙂

Jews make up 0.22% of the world’s population and 2.2% of the US population

Answer by Chris Q
I think that this is unique. You need a belief that sees conversion at all costs as its main religious duty. The religion also needs to see dishonesty and misrepresentation as a valid tool of evangelism. I can only think of two major religions that fit this category, and as far as I know Christianity is the only one that has attempted it.

Answer by Tom
Wicca seems to be a popular one at the moment.

I have heard of some people who say they are “Christian/_____) and various Pagan religions may be used to fill in the blank although none are really common outside of Wicca. This seems to be popular among high school students but it could also be a trend like many of the fashion statements such as Emo or Goth. Last night one of our group said that one of her classmates claimed to be a Catholic/Wiccan. Being as the Christian belief forbids worship of other “Gods” they are not compatible but I have also heard an ignorant statement of justification that, it is right that you cannot worship another “God” but it is ok to worship the “Goddess.”
It seems that many of the people who claim to combine opposing faiths are dissatisfied and not fulfilled by their origional religion but do not have the courage to find a path that gives them a personal relationship with that which they can accept and believe to be “God” even if it is a denial of “Gods” existance. This may also be due to their family or social situation and the often ignorant ideas some believers have about other paths. Being eclectic among Pagan religions is common but they do not oppose each other.

Often claiming to be “Christian/Wicca” or “Christian/Pagan” is the first step toward becomming Wiccan or another path of Pagan belief. I have seen this happening for over 10 years and often enough when the person learns and gains experiance, I have heard the person refer to themself as a “Recovered Christian.” (Not my words.) This may show the effect of having a belief that does not fit ones personal path pushed upon them by outside influences.

Answer by Paperback Supports Geert Wilders
The same evangelical Christians who pose as ‘messianic jews’ are now starting to pose as ‘messianic muslims’:
https://www.letusreason.org/Current57.htm
https://op.50megs.com/ditc/orrel5.html

Answer by USA Is An Atheist Nation 92%er
No, but the Muslims of Iraq are busy destroying the ancient Gnostic faith of Mandeans, whose prophet is John the Baptist.

Answer by † Thorae Supports Geert Wilders
Honestly, i’m Christian and think that Messianics should just admit they are Christian and not Jewish.
They believe in Christ, like me.
Christ-believer= Christian.
I respect the Jewish religion and their right to worship whoever they want.