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Jewish Aunt Tries To Convince Her Nephew To Dump His Non-Jew GF, And Here’s How He Responds
Ilona Baliūnaitė BoredPanda staff
219
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If you have a Jewish background you will definitely relate to this post. No matter choices you make in your own life, your Jewish family will never tire of reminding you of your heritage!
Imgur user SmileyMo, from New York City, now considers himself an atheist, as as such, considers himself free to date and marry any woman he chooses to. His Aunt quite strongly disagrees though. She would prefer that he keep it in the faith and find himself a lovely Jewish girl. “Looking for your happiness,” as she puts it. SmileyMo told Bored Panda that she is a lovely aunt and only means well. “She’s always been a big fan of mine, and treated me well since I was a kid,” he explained.
Needless to say though, SmileyMo doesn’t find this snippet of happiness searching on his behalf very helpful, and proceeds to state his case in a pretty logical way. Old auntie is a tenacious one though! She’s not letting this one go without a fight.
The entire conversation raises some really interesting questions about what being a Jew really means. Is it simply a religious choice? Or much more than that? Auntie states that SmileyMo is “Jewish for better or worse. That will never change.” So despite SmileyMo’s atheism and failure to follow the traditions and rituals of Judaism, for her it is something in the blood, a continuation of ethnic lineage.
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Whatever you think on the matter, this conversation is a snapshot of the life of an atheist in a deeply religious family. Finding acceptance can be tough, but SmileyMo stayed calm and polite and managed to state his case without losing it with his pushy aunt. “I wouldn’t say my atheism is accepted by everyone in my family,” he told us. “but for the most part, people respect me despite my beliefs.”
Now SmileyMo and his gentile girlfriend have a dog named Pebbles together, which begs the question, as part of this family will Pebbles become Jewish too? “I’d say she’ll get to decide her religion when she’s older,” SmileyMo told Bored Panda. Pebbles is becoming somewhat of a celebrity in her own right, the 4-month-old has apparently gone viral and SmilyMo runs her Instagram page, which you can find here.
Scroll down below to see how the conversation unfolded, and let us know what you think in the comments. Do you have a similar story? Feel free to share!
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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place
Read less » Ilona Baliūnaitė
Author, BoredPanda staff
I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place
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What do you think ?
Zori the degu 6 years ago
Long story short, we have a stupid, narrow-minded racist aunt that just lasted her nephew's time. If I was him, I wouldn't be in touch with her by now.
just a thought! 6 years ago
Scrolled down to write this comment after reading exactly 5 of those paragraphs... It's boring
Johanna Zamora 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I know. But if you read the big words out loud, it's not so bad.
Ladies and Gentlemen 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Yeah same here, I was reading it with interest till the conversation started diverting towards Nazi's and Muslims and what not. I was quite in favor of the Aunt in early stages as asking your younger ones to follow your religion is not a bad thing. But then I realized, its not about religion, it's about the inbuilt thought process over centuries and hatred toward other human beings for the crime they haven't committed. Being an atheist is not a bad thing, but when atheism takes shape of things like scientology and start their own atheist religion, then its b******t served with cream and butter on a nice and expensive china-ware.
Miss MonMon 6 years ago
Jews think they are the 'chosen' people. And guess what? Catholics, Muslims, Hindu's, Scientologists, Jehova's Witnesses & all the other stupid religions think they are also the chosen. That's the problem with religion, it's all b******t. Just be a good person. Don't be a prick.
Jonathan Eatsalot 6 years ago
Yeah don't be a prick...................like calling billions of people's beliefs b******t...............and I'm an atheist.
Load More Replies...
Little Menace 6 years ago
Sometimes the truth hurts. Religion is merely a self perpetuating and self policing meme [and I mean meme in it's original meaning, not a picture on the internet]. Anyone who considers belonging to a religion isn't a free thinking person. I would never laugh at someone's spirituality [which may or may not include a god] but as soon as humans adhere to a man made religion as if it were truth, you can't trust them. I am an atheist and I am loyal, honest and well mannered. Apparently a lot of christians or muslims can't be nice unless their book threatens them with punishment. So in that regard us Atheists should be glad all those people who are not intrinsically nice are kept in check by religion. But otherwise it's really just a lot of BS.
BREAK YOUr perceptions 6 years ago
they are entitled to their opinion, including thinking all religion is b******t. so long as they don't act aggressive or try to force the opinion on others (like most religions do) then there is no issue *is also an atheist.*
Margareta Milosavljevic 6 years ago
To little menace: not every christian,jew,muslim,etc needs to be threaten by a book to be nice. Also, not every atheist is nice. There are pricks on both sides. On every side. Being atheist doesn't make you any better, smarter, or supreme. Sometimes truth does hurt. And you are excluding millions of people, who happen' to be religious, putting them in a box of non-free thinkers, untrustworthy, dishonest,... if someone here is a bad person, it is you. And EXTREMELY close minded, i will add. Religious person here. Never pushed my religion on anyone. even in this comment, you don't know my religion. Don't need a book to threaten me. Am loyal, honest, and well mannered. your theory just died. Have a nice life, and please, open your mind. Bye
Debbie Andersson 6 years ago
As an atheist I don´t really understand this argument, lots of religious people I´ve met, christians, muslims and who knows what more I´ve met, don´t feel like they´re chosen?
Jennifer Matthews 6 years ago
I think it's a generational thing within the religions as well. My mom grew up Catholic and went to Catholic school and has told me multiple times, she was taught that if you aren't Catholic, you are wrong and will go to hell and they were encouraged to NOT associate with people who aren't Catholic. She converted to Presbyterian when she got married so we weren't taught that and I have friends my age who went to Catholic school who don't seem to have been taught that, but yeah, it was definitely something that was taught. And according to the Bible/Torah, Jews are God's chosen people. Who's to say if that's true then or now, but it's what is taught.
Debbie Andersson 6 years ago
Maybe it depends on country too? The priests here tend to be very humble and even puts themselves lower then everyone else in a sence of respect, I think. The only pushy ones are Jehovas, they act a bit entitled.
Suzi Gauthier 6 years ago
That would be a good religion to start - the "Don't be a Prick" religion.
Dustin Bettencourt 6 years ago
May I tspeak with you about our lord and savior the spaghetti monster?
Casey Thurston 6 years ago
Hey, if you've read the old testament, it states that the Jews are God's chosen people. So that's why they believe that. I've grown up Christian and I've known that most of my life (I also subscribed to that believe because how can you not if you claim to believe in the bible). Anyways, not trying to get into a religious debate, just trying to enlighten people that the God's Chosen People statement is because it's stated in the bible (also in the Torah, which is one of the main Jewish Texts).
Incog Nito 6 years ago
Hindus believe they are the chosen ones? Wow. Having lived as one for 30 years, I thought I would have been taught that by birth. Damn. My parents are failed Hindus.
JustAYugiohFan 6 years ago
Not true. Some religions, yes. But not all. I’m a catholic and we don’t think we are “The choosen ones” I know we get a bad reputation but we
JustAYugiohFan 6 years ago
Don’t think we are special. We are supposed to be good people. That’s what our morals are and what the Ten Commandments are fir
Prashant Karnath 6 years ago
Actually, in Hinduism there is nothing to be chosen for. There are no prophecies in Hinduism.. at least none that everyone believes in. Actually, I don't think it is even a religion. It's just a set of traditions which was identified as a religion by non-Hindus (mostly Abrahamic faiths) when they entered the region. The concept of a holy book in Hinduism is also a modern concept which started after Islam and Christianity entered the region. Not that it really matters anyway....
Biffer Hahn 6 years ago
Religion is just a group of people who believe their make believe friend is more all powerful than the other religions.
Radha Gopinath Mandir 6 years ago
Surprise surprise... atheists thinks that too... so now what?
Moe Rosenhek 6 years ago
Thats YOUR opinion. I do not agree with you. PS We do not think of ourselves as "chosen" in the sense you imply. You said it yourself "Just be a good person. Don't be a prick." THAT is Judaism. Is it so bad?
Patrick McKenna 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
it cracks me up atheists do not think their culture has issues. last century, more killing by atheists than the last 800 years of any religion that you can name. you atheists need to start thinking for yourself, use the mind. stop copying off of what dawkins, hitchens and maher said.
Dustin Bettencourt 6 years ago
Sir sir sir oh wait never mind I just thought of the atomic bomb yah you may be right
JustAYugiohFan 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
True. I completely agree
Moe Rosenhek 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So "due jour" to be an atheist these days .... Meh.
Load More Replies... Zori the degu 6 years ago
Long story short, we have a stupid, narrow-minded racist aunt that just lasted her nephew's time. If I was him, I wouldn't be in touch with her by now.
just a thought! 6 years ago
Scrolled down to write this comment after reading exactly 5 of those paragraphs... It's boring
Johanna Zamora 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I know. But if you read the big words out loud, it's not so bad.
Ladies and Gentlemen 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Yeah same here, I was reading it with interest till the conversation started diverting towards Nazi's and Muslims and what not. I was quite in favor of the Aunt in early stages as asking your younger ones to follow your religion is not a bad thing. But then I realized, its not about religion, it's about the inbuilt thought process over centuries and hatred toward other human beings for the crime they haven't committed. Being an atheist is not a bad thing, but when atheism takes shape of things like scientology and start their own atheist religion, then its b******t served with cream and butter on a nice and expensive china-ware.
Miss MonMon 6 years ago
Jews think they are the 'chosen' people. And guess what? Catholics, Muslims, Hindu's, Scientologists, Jehova's Witnesses & all the other stupid religions think they are also the chosen. That's the problem with religion, it's all b******t. Just be a good person. Don't be a prick.
Jonathan Eatsalot 6 years ago
Yeah don't be a prick...................like calling billions of people's beliefs b******t...............and I'm an atheist.
Load More Replies... Little Menace 6 years ago
Sometimes the truth hurts. Religion is merely a self perpetuating and self policing meme [and I mean meme in it's original meaning, not a picture on the internet]. Anyone who considers belonging to a religion isn't a free thinking person. I would never laugh at someone's spirituality [which may or may not include a god] but as soon as humans adhere to a man made religion as if it were truth, you can't trust them. I am an atheist and I am loyal, honest and well mannered. Apparently a lot of christians or muslims can't be nice unless their book threatens them with punishment. So in that regard us Atheists should be glad all those people who are not intrinsically nice are kept in check by religion. But otherwise it's really just a lot of BS.
BREAK YOUr perceptions 6 years ago
they are entitled to their opinion, including thinking all religion is b******t. so long as they don't act aggressive or try to force the opinion on others (like most religions do) then there is no issue *is also an atheist.*
Margareta Milosavljevic 6 years ago
To little menace: not every christian,jew,muslim,etc needs to be threaten by a book to be nice. Also, not every atheist is nice. There are pricks on both sides. On every side. Being atheist doesn't make you any better, smarter, or supreme. Sometimes truth does hurt. And you are excluding millions of people, who happen' to be religious, putting them in a box of non-free thinkers, untrustworthy, dishonest,... if someone here is a bad person, it is you. And EXTREMELY close minded, i will add. Religious person here. Never pushed my religion on anyone. even in this comment, you don't know my religion. Don't need a book to threaten me. Am loyal, honest, and well mannered. your theory just died. Have a nice life, and please, open your mind. Bye
Debbie Andersson 6 years ago
As an atheist I don´t really understand this argument, lots of religious people I´ve met, christians, muslims and who knows what more I´ve met, don´t feel like they´re chosen?
Jennifer Matthews 6 years ago
I think it's a generational thing within the religions as well. My mom grew up Catholic and went to Catholic school and has told me multiple times, she was taught that if you aren't Catholic, you are wrong and will go to hell and they were encouraged to NOT associate with people who aren't Catholic. She converted to Presbyterian when she got married so we weren't taught that and I have friends my age who went to Catholic school who don't seem to have been taught that, but yeah, it was definitely something that was taught. And according to the Bible/Torah, Jews are God's chosen people. Who's to say if that's true then or now, but it's what is taught.
Debbie Andersson 6 years ago
Maybe it depends on country too? The priests here tend to be very humble and even puts themselves lower then everyone else in a sence of respect, I think. The only pushy ones are Jehovas, they act a bit entitled.
Suzi Gauthier 6 years ago
That would be a good religion to start - the "Don't be a Prick" religion.
Dustin Bettencourt 6 years ago
May I tspeak with you about our lord and savior the spaghetti monster?
Casey Thurston 6 years ago
Hey, if you've read the old testament, it states that the Jews are God's chosen people. So that's why they believe that. I've grown up Christian and I've known that most of my life (I also subscribed to that believe because how can you not if you claim to believe in the bible). Anyways, not trying to get into a religious debate, just trying to enlighten people that the God's Chosen People statement is because it's stated in the bible (also in the Torah, which is one of the main Jewish Texts).
Incog Nito 6 years ago
Hindus believe they are the chosen ones? Wow. Having lived as one for 30 years, I thought I would have been taught that by birth. Damn. My parents are failed Hindus.
JustAYugiohFan 6 years ago
Not true. Some religions, yes. But not all. I’m a catholic and we don’t think we are “The choosen ones” I know we get a bad reputation but we
JustAYugiohFan 6 years ago
Don’t think we are special. We are supposed to be good people. That’s what our morals are and what the Ten Commandments are fir
Prashant Karnath 6 years ago
Actually, in Hinduism there is nothing to be chosen for. There are no prophecies in Hinduism.. at least none that everyone believes in. Actually, I don't think it is even a religion. It's just a set of traditions which was identified as a religion by non-Hindus (mostly Abrahamic faiths) when they entered the region. The concept of a holy book in Hinduism is also a modern concept which started after Islam and Christianity entered the region. Not that it really matters anyway....
Biffer Hahn 6 years ago
Religion is just a group of people who believe their make believe friend is more all powerful than the other religions.
Radha Gopinath Mandir 6 years ago
Surprise surprise... atheists thinks that too... so now what?
Moe Rosenhek 6 years ago
Thats YOUR opinion. I do not agree with you. PS We do not think of ourselves as "chosen" in the sense you imply. You said it yourself "Just be a good person. Don't be a prick." THAT is Judaism. Is it so bad?
Patrick McKenna 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
it cracks me up atheists do not think their culture has issues. last century, more killing by atheists than the last 800 years of any religion that you can name. you atheists need to start thinking for yourself, use the mind. stop copying off of what dawkins, hitchens and maher said.
Dustin Bettencourt 6 years ago
Sir sir sir oh wait never mind I just thought of the atomic bomb yah you may be right
JustAYugiohFan 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
True. I completely agree
Moe Rosenhek 6 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So "due jour" to be an atheist these days .... Meh.
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