Once you've heard about the True Faith, I think the traditional interpretation is that you can't just reject it and keep being a law unto yourself.
Precisely. Rather important difference, that. ;-)
tell me whether you believe it is even possible for a Gentile to "convert" to Judaism?
I'm not sure I understand the question? Gentiles convert to Judaism all the time, becoming fully Jewish in the process. More so nowadays than ever before (you're much less likely to get killed in the process by your ex-co-religionists). In fact there are at least two communities here on LJ, specifically for people undergoing the conversion process and "Jews by Choice". I have at least four such converts on my friends-list. If you mean "convert" in the sense of NOT actually becoming a Jew, and only "living as one", then see below.
In your mind, what would my best spiritual path be? Ought I to be a Jew, or would the best course of action be for me to abide by the Noahide laws
As I briefly explained above, in Jewish Thought there are two mutually-exclusive Paths to doing G-d's Will. Being Jewish, and observing the seven universal Noahide Laws, if you are not Jewish. They are both equally valid. I say "mutually-exclusive" because someone born Jewish can't choose to only observe the Noahide Laws, and conversely a Gentile is forbidden to "live as a Jew" as I will shortly elaborate. Note that I say equally valid, not meritorious or rewarding on a personal level (I can't possibly imagine how life under only the Noahide Laws, would feel fulfilling). So it depends what exactly you mean in saying "best". If you feel that inner pull telling you that "being Jewish" is the Real McCoy, and you want to become a "Member Of the Tribe", then go ahead and consult your Local ;-) Orthodox Rabbi. Both he an I, will do our damned best to discourage you, though (This is an actual requirement on us).
and, presumably, stop talking about this Jesus nonsense.
[heavy Austrian accent] This obsession of yours with this dead Jew, IS rather unhealthy, yes? ;-)
askmoses says it would actively be WRONG for me to observe the Sabbath. Do you agree?
Yes! This is straight out of the Talmud. In fact, we touched on this very issue, in our study-class on monday, of a book that I think you might greatly enjoy - The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith As I have argued before with aristotle2002 (a Seminarian), our Covenant with G-d, unlike Christianity and Islam, is a "group contract". It only has meaning in context of the collective Jewish Nation. But it goes further than that - When I am fulfilling any specific commandment, this observance is not "mine" but done "on behalf of all of Israel (the nation)" (some of us actually say this is a preparation to the observance). The act itself is entirely meaningless and without merit, without this context. Maimonides even goes as far as ruling, that a Jew who despite continuing to follow the Law, removes themselves from the "public context", has no merit and "has no part of the World to Come" (in Christian terms this means they are "damned", because "by default" all Jews merit this, unless they forfeit).
Similarly, a non-Jew is inherently lacking this collective context, because there aren't a "Member Of the Tribe". So if they knowingly choose to follow our observances, "because this is what G-d commanded", then this too is an Abomination.
Paths
I'm not sure I understand the question? Gentiles convert to Judaism all the time, becoming fully Jewish in the process. More so nowadays than ever before (you're much less likely to get killed in the process by your ex-co-religionists). In fact there are at least two communities here on LJ, specifically for people undergoing the conversion process and "Jews by Choice". I have at least four such converts on my friends-list. If you mean "convert" in the sense of NOT actually becoming a Jew, and only "living as one", then see below.
As I briefly explained above, in Jewish Thought there are two mutually-exclusive Paths to doing G-d's Will. Being Jewish, and observing the seven universal Noahide Laws, if you are not Jewish. They are both equally valid. I say "mutually-exclusive" because someone born Jewish can't choose to only observe the Noahide Laws, and conversely a Gentile is forbidden to "live as a Jew" as I will shortly elaborate. Note that I say equally valid, not meritorious or rewarding on a personal level (I can't possibly imagine how life under only the Noahide Laws, would feel fulfilling). So it depends what exactly you mean in saying "best". If you feel that inner pull telling you that "being Jewish" is the Real McCoy, and you want to become a "Member Of the Tribe", then go ahead and consult your Local ;-) Orthodox Rabbi. Both he an I, will do our damned best to discourage you, though (This is an actual requirement on us).
[heavy Austrian accent] This obsession of yours with this dead Jew, IS rather unhealthy, yes? ;-)
Yes! This is straight out of the Talmud. In fact, we touched on this very issue, in our study-class on monday, of a book that I think you might greatly enjoy - The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith As I have argued before with
Similarly, a non-Jew is inherently lacking this collective context, because there aren't a "Member Of the Tribe". So if they knowingly choose to follow our observances, "because this is what G-d commanded", then this too is an Abomination.