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Mulder's a Jew?

It has never been explicated stated whether Mulder is Jewish. Outside of series continuity, David Duchovny is of Jewish descent. His paternal grandparents were Russian Jews, so his father was, too. He mother was Scottish. As a general rule, it was assumed by Duchovny his character was Jewish until told otherwise. Whether we were told otherwise is circumstantial.

There are only two bits of evidence I recall that imply Mulder is Jewish. One is in “Kaddish.” The Jewish scholar Mulder encounters appears irritated he does not recognize a Talmudic book or can understand much Hebrew, as though he thinks Mulder should be able to do both. Later on in the episode, when Ariel is praying in Hebrew over Isaac’s ashes, he seems to know enough Hebrew to explain to Scully she is saying goodbye to him. The other bit is in ”Drive” when Patrick Crump makes an anti-Semitic statement about Mulder’s name, he takes offense. Later, he sardonically apologizes on behalf of the International Jewish Conspiracy they are running out of gas. Odds are he is just taking offense at the bigoted statement in general.

I have heard some X-Philes claim the scene in “Anasazi” in which Mulder finds a railroad car full of human/alien hybrid corpses is a holocaust allegory that would not be as poignant is Mulder were not Jewish. You have to read a lot into that in order to draw the conclusion. You also have to ignore that story arc reveals Bill Mulder, who would not likely have a State Department job as a Jew in the ’50-’60’s, collaborated with escaped Nazi scientists in post-war America. I have a tough time believing anyone of Jewish descent would do so. Even if you think Mulder is Jewish on his mother’s side only--his father’s funeral was not presided over by a rabbi--it is still hard to swallow.

I do not think the Cigarette Smoking Man is Jewish, so mulder is not likely jewish on his real father’s side in the first place.)

There is more evidence to say Mulder is not Jewish. He seeks solace over his sister in a Christian church in "Conduit.” He quips that Jesus rose from the dead like the Golem in “Kaddish.” “How the Ghost Stole Christmas” implies he ought to be celebrating Christmas even though he is not. I have not reviewed the episode yet, but his funeral in the eighth season is not presided over by a rabbi.

The character is never consistent in his views on religion. Mulder shows a distaste for literal interpretations of the Bible, faith healing charlatans, and Scully’s belief in Catholic Catechism. Conversely, he readily accepts voodoo, shamanism, the Calusari, and Satanism as possibilities. Yet he also held a skepticism for Melissa Scully’s New Age beliefs. So take your pick how he really views religion.

If I had to draw a conclusion, I would guess Mulder is non-observant of any religion. Any evidence, pro or con, is a matter of immediate dramatic need for the current episode and will be completely ignored or contradicted later on as narrative requires.