The "what do you believe?" question

[chanab]

I find that a lot of my co-workers are very respectful of my beliefs and interested in learning more about what Jews believe and kashruth, but I sometimes have difficulty answering -politely- when they ask about yashka. Has anyone found a good way to answer these kind of questions that doesn't make you look like a goy-hater and create a lot of issues?

[Rivka P]

I got really lucky in my last job because the clinical coordinator was a born-again Xian, so she had done a considerable amount of studying in the area of religion, a lot more than others who were already Xian. Anyway, people actually asked me in front of her so she said "Jews believe J. was a great man, but not that he is/was messiah or son of G-d etc"
I didn't argue, though I know I don't believe that J. was a great man, I didn't want to make waves.
When it was up to me to respond, I think I just said that we believe he existed and was a religious leader of some sort, but we don't consider him messiah, son of G-d etc. Kinda like what my clin.coord. said, but leaving out the J. was a great man thing.

[medic09]

I simply say that we recognize he was a historical figure, but that traditionally Judaism doesn't give him much thought. That at that point in our history, there were quite a few sects that came and went. For us, J's followers were just another of those groups; except that they persisted by leaving Judaism and going out on their own.

The shorter the better in most cases.

[chaylizi]

one of the nurses i work with asked me how judaism viewed J. I said, the same way christianity views mohammed, as the founder of another religion. that seemed to go over well.

[Rivka P]

That's pretty smart, I never thought of it that way. It's just that some Christians totally don't understand that Jews don't believe in Yushka that he us the messiah etc. Like, most of my co-workers were genuinely surprised to hear that. (I was working in small town Pennsylvania)

[chanab]

chaylizi - Good response!
I think that's one that I can probably use easily given the crowd I work with. Thank you!

[achot]

I cant think of a response that would make me look like a goy- hater. I never discuss Yashka with my coworkers (not here or in America where I worked for 5 years) as it is unprofessional. I respect their religious needs and them mine, You are wrong to equate Yashka with Mohammed. If you are not an expert in this area, why delve into it?
I would advice you NOT to discuss who you believe in and why- it is dangerous, We are at work for one reason- to make a parnasa, We are obligated to do this in an honorable way - honestly and with Kavod Habriut, and to show Kiddush Hashem. Why turn work into a religious debate. We don't know who we are insulting etc. There is a reason for Separation of Church and State.
When asked reply that you are not interested in such a discussion at work.
BTW, I would advice you not to socialize with your coworkers who are not jewish as well- believe me it never ends well. Esav Sonei Yaakov.
Do your jobs, do them well and focus your ego on your families and friends.
When invited, become busy.