Jumping into this thread oddly: Hi! I'm Jewish. I'm also a Jew. The two words are *grammatically* different, but their *meanings* are identical. They both mean that one identifies with the culture/religion/political/whatever the who thing that descended from the Israelites of biblical times. Hence Hillary's grammatically incorrect usage of Jew grates on me, in a way using Jewish there wouldn't, but either way, she was insulting the person and throwing the reference to his/her religion/culture in there was out of line (IMNSHO). Also, *BOTH* have been used negatively throughout history. But is that any surprise to anyone?
Also, a Muslim who does not believe in the religion? Is usually called "an Arab", not a Muslim. There aren't all that many practices that Muslims have that people who don't believe in the religion have. It's possible Halal is to that like Kosher is, and I only have limited experience otherwise, but I don't think non-believing Muslims cling to Islam the way non-believing Jews cling to Judaism. I've heard it discussed more places than just here, by people supposedly experts, that this is a phenomenon that is rather unique to Jews, as opposed to being common with the other religions.
Although, lbmango, it is the case that once born Jewish or converted to Judaism, one is always a Jew, even if one converts to another religion. Or so say the Orthodox, at any rate. However, similarly, if you have a French Catholic who converts to Islam, they're still French, but no longer a Catholic. ~shrugs~ I never really understood the being a cultural Jew thing, so I'm not sure how much help I am, but this is what I know/have learned.
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Also, a Muslim who does not believe in the religion? Is usually called "an Arab", not a Muslim. There aren't all that many practices that Muslims have that people who don't believe in the religion have. It's possible Halal is to that like Kosher is, and I only have limited experience otherwise, but I don't think non-believing Muslims cling to Islam the way non-believing Jews cling to Judaism. I've heard it discussed more places than just here, by people supposedly experts, that this is a phenomenon that is rather unique to Jews, as opposed to being common with the other religions.
Although, lbmango, it is the case that once born Jewish or converted to Judaism, one is always a Jew, even if one converts to another religion. Or so say the Orthodox, at any rate. However, similarly, if you have a French Catholic who converts to Islam, they're still French, but no longer a Catholic. ~shrugs~ I never really understood the being a cultural Jew thing, so I'm not sure how much help I am, but this is what I know/have learned.