So Ryan
I am correct in understanding you that a New Zealander can be black, white, yellow or Buddist, Muslim, Jewish (judaist), Atheist but not Jewish (ethnos)?

If I may butt in; I believe most ethnic Jews still regard themselves as Jews irrespective of their birth country. For instance, there were Jews prior to the establishment of Israel in 1948.

So an ethnic Jew born in NZ would likely regard themselves as both a Kiwi AND a Jew.

You should put your question to DPF.

Though I’m having trouble absorbing Jewish (pick a religion) as a term, as to me I’ve always thought that you were a Jew or not.

Ethnically, you are Jewish or not in the same way that you are Persian or not, Korean or not, Inuit or not, etc.

Religiously, you are Jewish (I prefer “Judaist” to prevent confusion) or not in the same way that you are Christian or not, Buddhist or not, etc.

Kris K
That’s an interesting point of view.
I thought it was a religion as there are black Jews and white Jews and yellow Jews all over the world, there’s even Jews in India!

And of course you’re right as well, Mike.
Those that convert to Judaism become Jews in the religious sense. But there are ethnic Jews who are descendant from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) – who may indeed not practice Judaism; many being agnostic/atheistic.

I believe DPF falls into the ethnic Jewish category (according to Whaleoil above). I was more coming from this angle – a literal descendant of Jacob.

“A local insisted on showing me how to enter the Mosque (it is around the back) and he was quite helpful.”

Fucken turks they have always been backdoor boys.
Didn’t you watch Lawerence of Arabia!!
So your not a virgin anymore eh.

… and the miracle that is the ‘Demerit Virgin’ continues …

New Zealand’s own version of the virgin of Magigoria – should we call you Mary from now on?

Agree Danyl, and what sort of weird motherfucker wanders round announcing their religion anyway?

I didn’t realise being a Jew was in fact a religion!
I think you’ll find Jews are in fact an ethnic people group – many of whom are agnostic/atheistic.
And I don’t really know where DPF is on the religious spectrum; the comment was related to his ethnic heritage.

Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan questioned the charges against Mr Bashir and said that “no Muslim could perpetrate a genocide”, according to Turkey’s Anatolia news agency.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8349678.stm

Fucken turks they have always been backdoor boys.

Didn’t you watch Lawerence of Arabia!!

So your not a virgin anymore eh.

Not to say I had any issues there though.

Great country, nice people and cheap beer. Every area is complelely different and well worth a good 10 day round trip.

Istanbul is full o’ Jews – probably more there than there are in New Zealand – so I’m guessing the reaction would be a big ol’ yawn.

I’d love to be let loose inside there with my camera gear…

The call to prayer in the early morning remains an abiding memory for me, along with the inevitable carpet I stare at on my living room floor every day!

Enjoy every minute David. Are you getting to Gallipoli, Ephesus or Cappadocia this trip?

A local insisted on showing me how to enter the Mosque (it is around the back) and he was quite helpful. He could tell I was suspicious though, as he kept saying he did not have a gun.

If you come to my church, and even if you think I look suspicious, I promise that I won’t have a gun on me – really!

As WhaleOil mentioned above at 5:52 pm, have you mentioned your Jewish heritage (I assume this is correct), and if so, what was the reaction, if any, from Muslims around you?

Having never been to a Muslim country, do you sense a different ‘spirituality’ compared to NZ?

Enjoy yourself, but be safe.