Question for my non-Jewish friends

[arib]

Is the term "gentile" offensive, or merely descriptive?

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Comments

[pseydtonne.livejournal.com]

It's anachronistic. It's not offensive, but it's fuddy-duddy.

The missus and I agree that "goy" is fine. Even if it's meant to be offensive, it's more to the point. It's like honky: well, sure, I guess I am one. Bummer, but not wrong. Meanwhile "gentile" has the connotation of being Christian.

[polydad.livejournal.com]

Or possibly confusing, if one is Mormon.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Doesn't bother me, but I prefer "psychotic bundle of raging death."

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess it mostly depends on tone, but I've not heard it used in a way that offends me.

[dmmaus.livejournal.com]

Not offensive to me. I live in Australia though, where Jewish people are a very small minority, and I've never even heard the word used except in media originating overseas.

[arib.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. I actually have some distant cousins on my dad's side that live in Australia. I've never met them, but he has. :-)