I was thinking more in term of strength philosophically that is. Strong and confident people, nations can react generously meaning they have enough reservoirs of self-identity to accept their distant cousins as one of them. That is strong and that builds culture, economy since generous thinking has a ripple effect. The more we resist the deeper we sink.
Jewish comparison is valid since they accept each other to some degree even without any religious affiliation. Lot of Russian Jews who immigrated Israel and US were essentially atheists but still they got integrated into Israeli state.
Armat,
I agreed with the fact that rejecting the Hamshen will bring them closer to the Jurks and they MAY become Armenian if we accept them; but, I don't agree that "not identifying them as Armenians" is a sign of:
- lack of confidence
- weakness
- lack of generosity
- etc. etc.
I just like to call a cat a cat! Being Armenian is not merely a "nationality" like being American or - to a lesser degree- French! Being Armenian has also ethnic, Cultural and religious connotations.
(Personally, I'm not religious, but I consider myself an "ethnic Christian," because I grew up among Christians!)
The comparison between Jews/Israel and Armenians - not Citizens of the Republic of Armenia - does not hold!
PS. I would gladly welcome Italians, French, Slavs, Chinese, Native Americans etc. among Armenians! Personal choice!