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Originally Posted by Kassidy
Judaism is a religion, not an ethnicity, for starters.
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Although your basic point is correct, it is more accurate to refer to Judaism as a culture or something similar. While there is an obvious religious element, Jews believe that if you have a Jewish mother, you are Jewish, whether or not you adhere to their religious beliefs and practises.
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Originally Posted by Kassidy
The thing that makes some groups seem 'smarter' than others has more to do with a cultural emphasis on education and hard work leading to success, not genetic qualities.
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That's certainly the politically correct view and given the cultural imperatives and results, not only of (Ashkenazi in particular) Jews but also of Asian immigrants to Europe and North America, it appears to be born out. On the other hand, medical research is regularly adding to the list of things which are programmed into us, that we once believed were acquired. Who knows for sure that "smartness" or something which encourages some people to study will not one day be added to that list.