This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Various groups have considered themselves chosen by God for some purpose such as to act as God's agent on earth. This status may be viewed as a self-imposed higher standard to fulfill God's expectation. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

Specifically, in the Hebrew Bible, called the Old Testament by Christians, and the Tanach by Jews, the phrase Chosen People refers to the ancient Hebrews/Israelites. As mentioned in the book of Exodus, the Hebrew people are God's chosen people and from them shall come the Messiah, or redeemer of the human race. The Israelites also possess the "Word of God" and/or "Law of God" in the form of the Torah as communicated by God to Moses. Jews and, by extension, Christians consider themselves to be the "chosen people" Adherents to Islam make, by the same extension as Christians, the same claim of chosenness by accepting what they see as the validity of the Law of God as told by Moses; as do other religions that mets built on those same laws. 11th century manuscript of the Hebrew Bible with Targum Hebrew Bible is a term that refers to the common portions of the Jewish canon and the Christian canons. ... Note: Judaism commonly uses the term Tanakh to refer to its canon, which corresponds to the Protestant Old Testament. ... This article is about the religous people known as Christians. ... 11th century Targum Tanakh [תנ״ך] (also spelt Tanach or Tenach) is an acronym for the three parts of the Hebrew Bible, based upon the initial Hebrew letters of each part: Torah [תורה] (The Law; also: Teaching or Instruction), Chumash [חומש] (The... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... An Israelite is a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of the Biblical patriarch Jacob who was renamed Israel by God in the book of Genesis, 32:28 The Israelites were a group of Hebrews, as described in the Bible. ... This article is about the second book in the Torah. ... In Judaism, the Messiah (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian ; Aramaic: , ; Arabic: , ; the Anointed One) at first meant any person who was anointed with oil on rising to a certain position among the ancient Israelites, at first that of High priest, later that of King and also that of a prophet. ... The Torah () is the most important document in Judaism, revered as the inspired word of G-d (the vocal is never spelled), traditionally said to have been revealed to Moses. ... Moses with the Tablets, 1659, by Rembrandt This article is about the Biblical figure. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Purposes of being chosen

The sense of being a chosen people occurs in both religious and nonreligious contexts. The largely Christian slaveholders in the United States, saw themselves as chosen by God to keep and sell slaves. By contrast, the also largely Christian Abolitionists, considered themselves to be chosen by God to bring freedom and equal rights to the slaves. The Nazis considered the "Aryan race" to be superior, and believed it was their mission to dominate over all races they considered "inferior". Many religious and charitable organizations consider themselves to be chosen by God to care for the sick and the suffering. For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... This article is about the abolition of slavery. ... Slave redirects here. ... Nazism in history Nazi ideology Nazism and race Outside Germany Related subjects Lists Politics Portal         Nazism, or National Socialism (German: Nationalsozialismus), refers primarily to the totalitarian ideology and practices of the Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers Party, German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP) under Adolf Hitler. ... The Aryan race is a concept in European culture that was influential in the period of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ...

Chosen to receive a message

In many religions it is believed that the God has revealed a message to a prophet or messenger. Some of these religions, such as most forms of Christianity and Islam, teach that their path is the only path to salvation. For other senses of this word, see Prophet (disambiguation). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... For other uses, see Salvation (disambiguation). ...

In other religions, such as some forms of Christianity and Islam, as well as Judaism, Hinduism, and Sikhism, it is believed that the followers of one's faith do not have an exclusive path to God. They hold that people of other faiths may also reach God in their own way. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Sikhism (IPA: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: ) is a religion that began in fifteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus. ...

Ethnocentrism

Views of being a chosen people are sometimes connected with superiority and ethnocentrism. The accusation of a chosen people can be used to justify or create cultural imperialism, racism, and xenophobia. However the argument by religious Christians and Jews alike is that the chosen status by definition is a humbling one, as it carries responsibility and sacrifice, rather than simple privilege. This box:      Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of ones own culture. ... Cultural imperialism is the practice of promoting, distinguishing, separating, artificially injecting of the culture or language of one nation in another. ... This box:      Racism has many definitions, the most common and widely accepted is that members of one race are intrinsically superior or inferior to members of other races. ... Look up xenophobia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The Book of Isaiah, 56:7, is sometimes quoted, which states, "For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" to show the path to God is universal. This article is about the Book of Isaiah. ...

Christianity

Main article: Supersessionism

Supersessionism is the traditional Christian belief that Christian believers have replaced physical Israelites as God's chosen people. In this view, Israel's chosenness found its ultimate fulfillment through the message of Jesus; Jews who remain non-Christian are no longer considered to be chosen, since they reject Jesus as the Messiah and son of God. Christians who ascribe to supersessionism rely on Biblical references such as Galatians 3:28-29 to support their position that followers of Jesus, not Jews, are the chosen of God and heirs to God's promises to Abraham today: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Also, many Christian denominations have considered themselves to be the "true" Christians, at some time or another. Supersessionism (sometimes referred to as replacement theology by its critics) is a belief that Christianity is the fulfillment and continuation of the Old Testament, and that Jews who deny that Jesus is the Messiah are not being faithful to the revelation that God has given them, and they therefore fall... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... In Judaism, the Messiah (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian ; Aramaic: , ; Arabic: , ; the Anointed One) at first meant any person who was anointed with oil on rising to a certain position among the ancient Israelites, at first that of High priest, later that of King and also that of a prophet. ...

Specific Christian denominations

Seventh-day Adventism

Main articles: Remnant (Adventist) and Three Angels' Messages

In traditional Seventh-day Adventist theology, the Seventh-day Adventist church is identified as the end time remnant identified in Revelation 12:17. According to this view, Adventists are "chosen" by God to proclaim the three angels' messages of Revelation 14 to the world. In common Seventh-day Adventist theology, the (end-time) remnant is identified with the Seventh-day Adventist church. ... The Three Angels messages are the three messages given by three angels in Revelation . ... The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated Adventist[1]) Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as the Sabbath. ... Christian doctrine redirects here. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      In Christian theology, Christian eschatology is the... The Three Angels messages are the three messages given by three angels in Revelation . ...

Mormonism

In Mormonism, all Latter Day Saints are viewed as covenant, or chosen, people; they have accepted the name of Jesus Christ. This acceptance of entering the covenant is initiated by baptism. In contrast to supersessionism, Latter Day Saints do not dispute the "chosen" status of the Jewish people. In LDS doctrine all people who have ever lived will have the ability to enter into this covenant during the Millennium. Mormon eschatology holds that Jews, as a chosen people, will ultimately accept Christianity (See Jeremiah 31:31-34). For more general information about religious denominations that follow the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... A Latter Day Saint is an adherent of the Latter Day Saint movement, a group of denominations tracing their heritage to the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... A covenant, in its most general sense, is a solemn promise to do or not do something specified. ... Supersessionism (sometimes referred to as replacement theology by its critics) is a belief that Christianity is the fulfillment and continuation of the Old Testament, and that Jews who deny that Jesus is the Messiah are not being faithful to the revelation that God has given them, and they therefore fall...

Mormon doctrine teaches that Mormons are "The kin blood of the Jews." Every practicing LDS member receives a patriarchal blessing that reveals their lineage in the House of Israel. This lineage may be blood related or through "adoption;" therefore, a child may not necessarily share the lineage of her parents (but will still be a member of the tribes of Israel). It is a widely held belief that most members of the faith are in the tribe of Ephraim or the tribe of Manasseh. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and other Mormon denominations, a patriarchal blessing (also called an evangelists blessing) is a special blessing or ordinance given by a patriarch (evangelist) to a church member. ... This is a list of the Tribes of Israel. ... Tribe of Ephraim (Hebrew: אֶפְרַיִם / אֶפְרָיִם , Standard Efráyim Tiberian / ; double fruitfulness) took precedence over that of Manasseh by virtue of Jacobs blessing (Gen. ... The Tribe of Manasseh (Hebrew alphabet מְנַשֶּׁה, Samaritan Hebrew Manatch, Standard Hebrew Mənašše, Tiberian Hebrew Mənaššeh: from נשני naššānî who makes to forget) is one of the Hebrew tribes, which the Bible says was founded by Manasseh, the son of Joseph. ...

See Mormonism and Judaism. This article on Mormonism and Judaism describes the views of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, with respect to Jews and Judaism, and includes comparisons of the Mormon and Jewish faiths. ...

Judaism

Main article: Jews as a chosen people

In Judaism, chosenness is the belief that the Jews are a people chosen to be in a covenant with God. The idea is not connected with tribal groupings as they are traditionally understood, as non-ethnic Jews can become Jews. In Judaism, chosenness is the belief that the Jews are a chosen people: chosen to be in a covenant with God. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Throughout history, various groups have considered themselves chosen by God for some purpose. ...

The Jewish idea of being chosen is first found in the Torah (five books of Moses) and is elaborated on in later books of the Hebrew Bible. This status carries both responsibilities and blessings as described in the Biblical covenants with God. Much is written about this topic in rabbinic literature. The Torah () is the most important document in Judaism, revered as the inspired word of G-d (the vocal is never spelled), traditionally said to have been revealed to Moses. ... Moses with the Tablets, 1659, by Rembrandt This article is about the Biblical figure. ... For the musical collective, see Tanakh (band). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      This article... Rabbinic literature, in the broadest sense, can mean the entire spectrum of Judaisms rabbinic writing/s throughout history. ...

Hinduism

Hinduism does not emphasize any concept of a chosen people. In general, Hinduism believes that salvation (moksha) is attained through realization of the truth and through spiritual experience. God is seen as impartial. Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk who advocated the harmony of all religions, taught that although the concept of "chosen people" is not ultimately true, it is a stage of growth and evolution that many religions must go through before they reach the higher truth of oneness. Vivekananda explained: Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Moksha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Swami Vivekananda (Sanskrit: , Svāmi Vivekānanda) (January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902), whose pre-monastic name was Narendranath Dutta (Bengali: , Nôrendrônath Dôt-tô), was one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga. ...

[Such religions] naturally believe in a Personal God who is purely anthropomorphic, who like a great potentate in this world is pleased with some and displeased with others. He is arbitrarily pleased with some people or races and showers blessings upon them. You will find that in almost every religion is the idea: "We are the favorites of God, and only by believing as we do, can you be taken into favor with Him." And, therefore, in the nature of things, [such] religions are bound to fight and quarrel with each other.^[1]

However, there are a few features of Hinduism that are portrayed to be reminiscent of a "chosen people" concept by invaders and invader historians. As per invader historians, the caste system of India confers a degree of birth-right on higher castes such as the Brahmins, which some claim is sanctioned by God or by the scriptures. However, Saint Valluvar from 500 BC has clearly outlined that all are equal at birth ("pirapokkum ella uyirkkum" in Tamil). ^{[citation needed]} There is controversy within Hinduism about whether the caste system is really part of the Hindu religion, or is merely an outdated social institution.^{[citation needed]} Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Young Indian brahmachari Brahmin A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ...

After the interactions with the West Asian religions, at present there exist a few cults or New Religious Movements that consider themselves to be the Chosen people, e.g., the Brahma Kumari World Spiritual Organisation [B.K.]. The B.K.s believe in a strict hierarchy of human souls in which they occupy the top 8, 108, 16,108 and 900,000 positions, which comprise the trunk of the human world tree. All other religions are seen as branches of the tree, but a necessary part of the tree's beauty. This article does not discuss cult in its original meaning. ... A new religious movement or NRM is a term used to refer to a religious faith, or an ethical, spiritual or philosophical movement of recent origin that isnt part of an established denomination, church, or religious body. ...

Hinduism is inclusivistic. Hinduism recognizes that people belonging to other religions do have salvation without converting to Hinduism. In this sense Hinduism is drastically different from the exclusivistic religions that originated in the Middle East. The Sanskrit and Tamil word for religion is "Matam" and it means opinion. So, "right to opinion" is Hinduism. As a result of right to opinion or matam, there is great diversity in the versions of God, in the religious books, customs and other rituals that the Hindus follow. As a result of one's right to opinion if one decides there is no God, he or she does NOT cease to be a Hindu. Or a Hindu can choose to worship a non-Hindu version of God. In fact, Virgin Mary of Vellankanni is a pilgrimage spot for many Hindus. Hinduism is simply liberal to the core. Barring the concept of "right to opinion or matam" there is no other requirement to be a Hindu: one can be a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, one can choose to worship or choose not to. It is out of this "right to opinion or matam" that the the Hindu lets others, both Hindus and non-Hindus, have their way to salvation. So, Hinduism has evolved to be a network of thousands of religious beliefs.

Rastafari

Rastafari beliefs contain six fundamental principles, including the complete chosenness of the black race in the eyes of Jah (God incarnate), rendering them supreme physically and spiritually to all other people. Many Rastas are also physical immortalists who believe the chosen few will continue to live forever in their current bodies. This idea of ever living (rather than everlasting) life is very strong and important. Haile Selassie I Rasta, or the Rastafari movement, is a religion that accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate, whom they call Jah. ... Jah (IPA: ) is a name for God, most commonly used in the Rastafari movement. ...

Given Jewish biblical tradition and Ethiopian legend via Kebra Nagast, Rastas believe that Israel's King Solomon, together with Ethiopian Queen of Sheba, conceived a child which began the Solomonic line of kings in Ethiopia, rendering the African people as the true children of Israel, and thereby chosen. Reinforcement of this belief occurred when Beta Israel, Ethiopia's ancient Jewish community, were rescued from Sudanese famine and brought to Israel during Operation Moses in 1985. Modern book cover of Kebra Nagast: The Glory of the Kings The Kebra Nagast (var. ... It has been suggested that Sulayman be merged into this article or section. ... The Queen of Sheba, (Hebrew מלכת שבא , Arabic ملكة سبأ , Geez: ንግሥተ ሳባ Nigista Saba), referred to in the Hebrew scriputures (Old Testament), Bible books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, the New Testament, the Quran, and Ethiopian history, was the ruler of Sheba, an ancient kingdom mentioned in the Jewish scriptures (Old Testament). ... The Beta Israel (Geez ቤተ፡ እስራኤል Bēta Isrāēl, modern Bēte Isrāēl; ‎), also known by the term Falasha (Amharic for Exiles or Strangers, as they were called by non-Jewish Ethiopians — a term that is considered pejorative) are Jews of Ethiopian origin. ... Operation Moses, named after the biblical figure Moses, was the covert removal of Ethiopian Jews (known as Beta Israel) from Sudan during a famine in 1984. ...

Unification Church

Reverend Moon teaches that Korea is the chosen nation, selected to serve a divine mission. Korea, Moon says, was "chosen by God to be the birthplace of the leading figure of the age",[1] and to be the birthplace of "Heavenly Tradition", ushering in God's kingdom. Sun Myung Moon (born January 6, 1920) is the founder of the Unification Church (established on May 1, 1954, in Seoul, South Korea). ... This article is about the Korean peninsula and civilization. ...

See also

• 144,000
• Argument from inconsistent revelations
• Chosen one
• Ethnocentrism
• Mandate of Heaven

144,000 is a positive whole integer between 100,000 and 200,000. ... The Argument from Inconsistent Revelations, also known as the Avoiding the Wrong Hell Problem, is an argument against the existence of God. ... Chosen One is the second Hillsong Music album in the Youth Alive series by the Hillsong Church. ... This box:      Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of ones own culture. ... Mandate of Heaven (天命 PÄ«nyÄ«n: Tiānmìng) was a traditional Chinese sovereignty concept of legitimacy used to support the rule of the kings of the Zhou Dynasty and later the Emperors of China. ...

References