What are the main differences between Judaism and Christianity?

KIm: What are the main differences between Judaism and Christianity?
I would like it if someone can tell the the differences in their own words. I am asking this from BELIEVERS who follow Judaism or Christianity. Thanks

If you are going to post remarks like “they are both in denial”, “there is no religion/God”, etc. then please just hit the backspace key and find another question to answer that actually requesting YOUR opinion.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Miss Piggy
Christians follow the word and path of Jesus Christ.

Answer by ADubya
The New Testament

Answer by cmnsns
He said, she said.

Answer by ed9455
I think Judaism does not believe that Jesus was the Savior (Christ) and that they are still waiting for him.

Answer by Steph
I am a Christian. The major difference is Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah. We believe in the Old Testament (Torah) as well. Jewish people believe that Jesus was a false messiah, so they are still waiting.

Answer by LadySuri
Contrary to popular belief, there are actually MANY differences between Xianity and Judaism–Xians will say the only difference is J*sus because they don’t know much about Judaism at all. I’m Jewish, so here is my answer:

Judaism believes that only you can be responsible for your sins. Nobody else can take them on or ask forgiveness on your behalf. Yes, we used to do animal sacrifices SOMETIMES, but most sacrifices were a mix of flour and oil. Still, sacrifice alone cannot atone for sin (and human sacrifice is ABHORRED by G-d). To atone for sins, a person must do teshuva, which includes: 1. recognizing the sin [knowing you did wrong] and feeling remorse for it 2. asking forgiveness of the wrong by the person you wronged (example: if you broke a Jewish law, you apologize to G-d, but if you broke your neighbor’s favorite flowerpot, you must apologize to your neighbor for no one else can forgive you) 3. try to right the wrong you did–if you broke the flowerpot, either buy a new one or try to repair the old one sufficiently 4. actively resolve and try not to commit the wrong again–if you broke a law, create a reminder for yourself so that next time the opportunity comes up, you will remember.

Xianity believes to get forgiveness from your sins, you need to ask J*sus because he sacrificed himself for the sins of the world. Judaism thinks that this is crazy.

We do not believe in proselytizing because we believe that nobody has to be Jewish to warrant a place in heaven. A non-Jew has as much right to the World to Come as a Jew does–a Jew just has more rules to follow to get there. We do accept converts (we are NOT a race!!) although it is a hard road because Judaism is a hard life to live. [notice I say life, not religion. Judaism is a way of life, not just a religion.] It takes years of study to convert and the rabbi wants to make sure the convert is sincere because nobody wants to waste at least a year of the rabbi’s life (or the convert’s life, for that matter). Once you are Jewish you can never be a non-Jew again UNLESS you take on another believe system directly contrary to Judaism’s. For example, you can be an atheist but still be Jewish because your believe system does not contradict with Judaism–you do not believe in G-d, but you don’t believe in another false god either. But you cannot be a Jewish Xtian because Xtianity is contrary to Judaism. If you are a Jew and suddenly start to believe in Xtianity, you are an apostate and not Jewish unless you repent and come home to Judaism.

Xianity believes that you have to be Xian and accept J*sus as your savior to get into heaven.

(I’m sorry my sentences on Xianity are so short–the Judaism ones just require more explanation, I think)

Of course, Judaism does not believe in the trinity. The belief that G-d can be three gods while still being one doesn’t make sense. Xians believe in the trinity.

Oh, and Judaism does not always take the Bible literally. For instance, the creation account. Most of us realize it is not to be taken literally. But in the writings of the prophets, however, they are to be taken literally in most places (unless the scripture says otherwise) because the writings of the prophets are what the prophets actually saw. Xianity does the opposite: takes the creation account literally and the prophets metaphorically (for example, it says that the messiah must re-build the Temple. Obviously, this has not physically happened yet. But Xianity says J*sus rebuilt the Temple in heaven.)

Answer by sir.ludo
Jews dont believe Christ was the messiah (he might have been a prophet but not what they believe the Messiah is), and they dont believe he was the literal Son of God. Thus they place more weight on the Old Testament (do they even believe the New one?), and the rules and traditions described there.

Answer by Pst
The main difference is that Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the prophesied Savior. There are other differences but this is the main one.

Answer by Rockadayjohnny
One of the differences my practicing Jewish friends have suggested to me is that they see Xianity as a bit focused on the after life, whereas they see J as more focused on this world and our spiritual lives here, obligations, etc.

Then there’s that whole question about who was that Jesus guy, there’s a bit of a difference there.

Answer by beta_fishy
Somebody already said it: The New Testament.

Answer by Sherri Berri
Jesus.

Answer by Sirius
Both Religions are based on Astro Theology.

Answer by Tomasi T
Judaism don’t believe Jesus as the Son of God but Christians believe.

Answer by marnixkornman
stupiddety!!

Answer by aka_brian_1040
Most Christians forget that Judaism is the foundation of Christianity. Without Judaism, Christians would have no context to understand the life and death and resurrection of Christ. The main difference is the question of Jesus being the Messiah. Jews still believe the Messiah is yet to come as promised, while Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah and will come again.

Answer by Paperback Writer JPA KosherNinja
Here are * some* of the core differences – there are many others but this will give you an idea:

JUDAISM
– says that no human can ever die for the sins of others
CHRISTIANITY
– says that Jesus died for the sins of mankind

JUDAISM
– says that all humans are born pure, and innocent
CHRISTIANITY
– says that all humans are born with ‘original sin’.

JUDAISM
– says that G-d would never allow/enable a ‘virgin birth’
CHRISTIANITY
– says that Mary gave birth, though a virgin

JUDAISM
– says that no man gets a ‘second coming’
CHRISTIANITY
– says that Jesus will have a ‘second coming’

JUDAISM
– says that every human should speak directly to G-d
CHRISTIANITY
– Jesus claims in the ‘new testament’ that the ‘only way’ to G-d is via him

JUDAISM
– says G-d is one, indivisable, cannot be separated into three aspects/incarnations
CHRISTIANITY
– speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

JUDAISM
– says that we are ALL equally G-d’s children
CHRISTIANITY
– says that Jesus was ‘god’s son’ above all others

JUDAISM
– has no concept of ‘hell’
CHRISTIANITY
– *some* Christians condemn non believers to ‘hell’

JUDAISM
– has no ‘devil’, the Jewish ‘satan’ is just an ordinary angel, under G-d’s control
CHRISTIANITY
– describes ‘satan’ as a devil and ‘fallen’ angel

JUDAISM
– the ‘messiah’ will be a normal, mortal man who must fulfill all the Jewish messianic prophecies in one normal, mortal lifetime
CHRISTIANITY
– Jesus was the ‘messiah’ and will fulfill the prophecies when he ‘returns’

JUDAISM
– says that the righteous of ALL faiths will reach ‘gan eden’ or ‘garden of eden’.
CHRISTIANITY
– *some* Christians insist that only those who ‘know Christ’ can reach heaven

JUDAISM
– forbids Jews from trying to convert anyone to Judaism
CHRISTIANITY
– believes in actively ‘witnessing’ and encouraging people to convert to Christianity

Clearly the two religions differ on many core beliefs. Again, remember there are many other differences; this is only a partial list.

It is, of course, true that Christianity began life as a tiny fringe sect within Judaism. But the followers of Jesus were not ‘christians’ in the sense that we use that word today. Many of the Christian doctrines did not develop until much, much later, by which time Christianity was already an entirely non Jewish faith.

The final and irrevocable parting of the ways between the faiths came when Christians deified Jesus. At this point, Christianity was endorsing a belief that is blasphemy for any Jew, because in Judaism, no human can ever be ‘divine’ or on a par with G-d.

TO THE POSTER BELOW:

Jews do not read the ‘old testament’. It is not a Jewish text, it has never been a Jewish text. It is a Church-edited, MIStranslated, altered and wrongly organised version OF the Jewish scriptures, the TANAKH.

As for this mad idea that the Jewish G-d is ‘vengeful’ etc: er, hello? The JEWISH G-d does not condemn *anyone* to eternal hell and torment – that’s the Christian deity.

**************************************************************************

Answer by ♥Ŝåƒϊ♥ ٭ẠτЋєąŧї٭
The Old Testament God is mean and vengeful, always wiping out the sinners. The New Testament God is forgiving, warm & fuzzy.

Christians have no problem dismissing the OT as overwritten by everything in the New Testament. Jews follow the OT.

Christians pray to Jesus.

All the Holidays are different. The Christian ones absorbed more pagan holidays, rather than using Jewish holidays/traditions.

Answer by tvgeekgirl
Judaism came first and was practiced for a long time before the birth of Jesus Christ. This is where the Christian religion breaks off. After the death of Christ early Christians still followed all of the practices of Judaism. Unfortunately, this made it difficult for the Gentiles to become a part of the religion since they could not enter the Temples. So, certain things changed like the strict diet and circumcision. Eventually the New Testament was complied in the Council of Hippo in Ancient Rome. The books compiled told the story of Christ and the Church continued to grow. Eventually the Protestant branch broke off and now Christianity is what it is today in so many different forms.

Answer by Tee
Christians believe in Jesus. Jesus is God he was manifested in the flesh. Just like when he went to Moses in the burning bush he manifested himself. Its hard to explain in detail but God is what he is and that is whatever he wants to be. Jesus was pure divine! I heard that in the Quran God manifested himself into the mountain.

Answer by Bobby Jim
Jews perceive G-d as a singular entity, and follow the Mosaic and Levitical Laws to the best of their ability.

Christians perceive the same G-d, and view Him as a Triune entity.
They follow the teachings of Jesus, which are the teachings of the Old Testament also.

Answer by super_size_curly_fries
To add to LadySuri’s response:

Jews do not believe in Original Sin, and we do not believe that people are inherently evil. Many Jews do not believe in hell, and the concept of Satan is vastly different. Christians see him as God’s opponent (and sometimes even a rival). Jews see him as an agent of God working as a prosecutor. Another big difference is the concept of faith vs good works. Judaism places a lot of value on good works and prefers someone live a moral life than to just simply believe.
We do not necessarily see God as a “father”. We see God more as a king.

Answer by Quantrill
Almost Everything

They share little in common.

Answer by sugur
Christianity is a “continuation” of Judaism.

Both the Christians and the Jews worship the same God, and believe in the Old Testament of the Bible. But in Jesus’ time the Jews refused to believe that he was the Messiah because he came telling them how they were big hypocrites, instead of telling them lies to tickle their ears. So they refused to believe that he was the son of God. So the Jews are still looking for the Messiah even though he has already come. And because of this fact, the Jews will believe a lie and believe the wrong person to be the Messiah, because he will tell them all they want to hear (Obama?) and he will become their savior.

But one thing about Christianity is that although we believe that the Old Testament is inspired by God, we no longer live under the law of the OT as the Jews do, because when Jesus came and died, we received salvation through him, not the law. So if you read the OT, that is what the Jews believe.

Answer by A.S.
I am a Christian. The main difference between Judaism and Christianity is that the Jews believe that Jesus was not the Messiah and they are still waiting for the Messiah because God promised one to them. But we believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Answer by Me
Jews believe in one god, Christians believe in 3

Answer by Love of Environment
LadySuri and Paperback JPA writer’s answer is write, so i don’t need to repeat the answer.

But i just want you to know the Christians do believe in the Holy Trinity, but it doesn’t mean that they believe in three G-ds.
The Holy Trinity is the three distinct persons of God. The holy trinity is just ONE God in 3 forms.