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As you well know, in the Jewish tradition, religion is derived from the
mother. Jewish mother = Jewish child.

That does not mean that the mother actually passed “Jewish genes” onto her child. If Judaism was genetic, it could be passed on just as easily by the father.

So you are right. The “Inheritance of Religion” is constructed socially.
That does not mean it is not “real.” It is “real” because we ascribe reality to it.

In general, the concept of religion as derived through lineage and heritage plays various roles both within religion and outside of it. I don’t have time to comment on the first. Any text on the anthropology of religion would have something to say about this.

As for the second point - its interesting to consider the impact of “time-space compression” on our need to find out “who we are” ethnically and religiously. Time-Space Compression, as described by David Harvey, theorizes that in our increasingly globalized and mechanized world, everything has become disposable (even values). People have lost their moorings and thus search for stability in the home, the family, religion, etc.
Thus the concept of religion as derived through lineage and heritage might play an important social role in our increasingly globalized world.

This discussion does not even begin to consider the potential for “us” versus “them” mentality that religion can create. That is a beast of its own.

According to what I know, there is no such a thing as being Muslim by blood in Islam….you’re either a Muslim or not. You can be a Muslim and not practice but still believe in Islam, though! Then, you would be an “Inactive Muslim” – someone who believes but currently not living by Islamic teachings.

But if you don’t believe or believe&practice Islam you can’t claim that you’re a Muslim because your family or ancestors are (In that case, you can probably say “I come from a family of Muslims”). Islam for Muslims is only a religion that knows no nationality, ethnicity or racial group.

Hope that clarifies part of the dilemma, at least.

Shadi