View source for Proselytism

{{Short description|Attempt to convert others to a religion}}
[[File:Londres (1970) 07.jpg|thumb|upright|A Christian proselytizer trying to spread his faith in London, England, 1970]]
'''Proselytism''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|r|ɒ|s|əl|ᵻ|t|ɪ|z|əm|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-NaomiAmethyst-proselytism.wav}}) is the policy of attempting to convert people's [[religious]] or [[political]] [[belief]]s.<ref>{{cite web| title= Definition of proselytism| url= http://www.thefreedictionary.com/proselytism|publisher= The Free Dictionary| access-date= 11 July 2020 | quote = proselytism [...] <br /> 1. the act or fact of becoming a proselyte; conversion. <br /> 2. the state or condition of a proselyte. }}</ref><ref>{{Dictionary.com |proselytism | access-date= 25 November 2013}} - "proselytism [...] <br /> 1. the act or fact of becoming a proselyte; conversion. <br /> 2. the state or condition of a proselyte. <br /> 3. the practice of making proselytes."</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Definition of proselytize {{!}} Dictionary.com |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/proselytize |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=www.dictionary.com |language=en |quote= to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte; recruit to a religion or other belief system.}}</ref> Carrying out attempts to instill beliefs can be called '''proselytization'''.<ref>{{oed | proselytization}} - "proselytization ... The action or practice of making, or seeking to make, proselytes or converts; the work of proselytizing."</ref>

Proselytism is illegal in some countries.<ref>Galina Lindquist, Don Handelman (2012). ''Religion, Politics, and Globalization: Anthropological Approaches'', p. 224.</ref> Some draw distinctions between Christian [[evangelism]] and proselytism, regarding proselytism as involuntary or coerced; the two terms can also be understood to merely be [[synonym]]s.<ref name="The Divine Mercy 2017">{{cite web | title=Evangelization Vs. Proselytization | website=The Divine Mercy | date=February 27, 2017 | url= https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/evangelization-vs-proselytization | access-date=August 7, 2021 | quote = To summarize the Holy Father's points, you could say that evangelization is all about trust, and proselytization is all about fear.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://catholicism.org/what-is-the-difference-between-evangelism-and-proselytism-a-serious-question.html|title= What is the Difference between 'Evangelism' and 'Proselytism'? A Serious Question |last= Brother André Marie| date= 28 November 2016 |website= Catholicism.org| language= en|access-date= 26 June 2019 | quote = Evangelizing the word — or 'proselytizing,' to use another word for it — has been the business of the Church since her foundation. Now we have heard in recent years that 'proselytism' is a bad thing.}}</ref><ref name="Baptist News Global 2021">{{cite web | title=Gen Z Christians more open to share their faith than Millennials – Baptist News Global | website=Baptist News Global | date=August 5, 2021 | url= https://baptistnews.com/article/gen-z-christians-more-open-to-share-their-faith-than-millennials/ | access-date=August 7, 2021 | quote = 'Sharing the gospel today is made harder than at any time in recent memory by an overall cultural resistance to conversations that highlight people's differences,' Barna said. 'Society today also casts a negative light on proselytization that many older Christians do not fully appreciate.'}}
</ref>

==Etymology==
The English-language word ''proselytize'' derives from the [[Greek language]] prefix {{wikt-lang|grc|προσ-}} ({{Transliteration|grc|pros-}}, "toward") and the verb {{wikt-lang|grc|ἔρχομαι}} ({{Transliteration|grc|érchomai}}, "I come") in the form of {{lang|grc| προσήλυτος}} ({{Transliteration|grc| prosélytos}}, "newcomer").<ref>{{LSJ|prosh/lutos|προσήλυτος|ref}}</ref> Historically, in the [[Koine Greek]] [[Septuagint]] and [[New Testament]], the word ''[[proselyte]]'' denoted a [[Gentile]] who was considering [[conversion to Judaism]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} Although the word ''proselytism'' originally referred to converting to [[Judaism]]<ref>Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Bromiley ed, VI p 742</ref> (and earlier related to Gentiles such as [[God-fearer]]s), it now implies an attempt of any religion or religious individuals to convert people to their belief.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

[[Arthur J. Serratelli]], the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson|Catholic Bishop of Paterson, New Jersey]], observed that the meaning of the word ''proselytism'' has changed over time.
<blockquote>[O]riginally, the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament passed the word 'proselyte' into modern languages with a neutral meaning. It simply meant a convert, someone who changed his or her opinion or religion. And, proselytism meant the attempt to persuade someone to make such a change. But, today proselytism is almost universally seen as a sinister activity when it comes to religious beliefs.<ref>[https://camdendiocese.org/the-difference-between-proselytism-and-/ Wallace, Joseph. "The difference between proselytism and conversion", Diocese of Camden]</ref></blockquote>

The [[World Council of Churches]] has indicated that, when used pejoratively, ''proselytism'' refers to attempts at conversion by "unjust means that violate the conscience of the human person", such as by coercion or bribery.<ref>
{{Cite book
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Pu3uUd-csnIC&pg=PA895
|title= Growth in Agreement II: Reports and Agreed Statements of Ecumenical Conversations on a World Level, 1982–1998
|last1= Gros|first1= Jeffrey|last2= Meyer|first2= Harding|last3= Rusch|first3= William G.
|date= 2000|publisher= Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|isbn= 9782825413296|language= en
}}
</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Sources that can address this from a more general perspective are needed, rather than (just) from a group that has a clear interest. Discussed on talk page at [[Talk:Proselytism#Dubious|#Dubious]]|date=July 2022}}

==Limits==
The right to change religion and to manifest religion is protected under Article 18 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Universal Declaration of Human Rights | url=https://www.un.org/en/udhrbook/pdf/udhr_booklet_en_web.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221225756/http://www.un.org:80/en/udhrbook/pdf/udhr_booklet_en_web.pdf | archive-date=2016-02-21}}</ref> Limitations and regulations on proselytism are  considered by some as infringements on [[freedom of religion]] and [[freedom of speech]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Garnett |first1=Richard W. |author-link=Richard W. Garnett |date=2005 |title=Changing Minds: Proselytism, Freedom, and the First Amendment |url=https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/law_faculty_scholarship/435 |journal=2 University of St. Thomas Law Journal 453}}</ref>

Some countries such as Greece<ref>{{cite web | title= English translation of the Greek constitution – Article 13.2|url=http://www.hri.org/docs/syntagma/artcl25.html#A13}}</ref> prohibited all proselytism until 1994 when [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] were legally recognized as a religion and allowed to preach. Some countries such as Morocco prohibit it except for Islam.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}  Some restrict it in various ways such as prohibiting attempts to convert children{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} or prohibit offering physical benefits to new converts.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Religious groups also draw lines between what they are willing to do or not do to convert people. For instance the [[Catholic Church]] in ''[[Ad gentes]]'' states that "The Church strictly forbids forcing anyone to embrace the Faith, or alluring or enticing people by worrisome [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wile#Etymology_1 wiles]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ad gentes |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_ad-gentes_en.html |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref>

The [[World Council of Churches]] in ''The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness''<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Pu3uUd-csnIC&pg=PA895 Growth in Agreement II], p. 895</ref> states the following:
<blockquote>
19. Proselytism as described in this document stands in opposition to all [[Ecumenism|ecumenical effort]]. It includes certain activities which often aim at having people change their church affiliation and which we believe must be avoided, such as the following:
*making unjust or uncharitable references to other churches' beliefs and practices and even ridiculing them;
*comparing two Christian communities by emphasizing the achievements and ideals of one, and the weaknesses and practical problems of the other;
*employing any kind of physical violence, moral compulsion and psychological pressure e.g. the use of certain advertising techniques in mass media that might bring undue pressure on readers/viewers;
*using political, social and economic power as a means of winning new members for one's own church;
*extending explicit or implicit offers of education, health care or material inducements or using financial resources with the intent of making converts;
*manipulative attitudes and practices that exploit people's needs, weaknesses or lack of education especially in situations of distress, and fail to respect their freedom and human dignity.
</blockquote>

==By faith==
The religions of the world can be divided into two groups: those that actively seek new followers (missionary religions like Christianity) and those that do not (non-missionary religions). This classification dates back to a lecture given by [[Max Müller]] in 1873 and is based on whether or not a religion seeks to gain new converts. The three main religions classified as missionary religions are [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]], while the non-missionary religions include [[Judaism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], and [[Hinduism]]. Other religions, such as Primal Religions, [[Confucianism]], and [[Taoism]], may also be considered non-missionary religions.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rambo |first=Lewis R. |url= |title=The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion |last2=Farhadian |first2=Charles E. |date=2014-03-06 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-971354-7 |pages=429 |language=en}}</ref>

===Baháʼí Faith===
In the [[Baháʼí literature|writings]] of the [[Baháʼí Faith]], the endeavour to attract people to the religion is strongly emphasized.<ref name="EncyBah">{{cite book |last = Smith |first = P. |year = 2000 |title = A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith |publisher = Oneworld Publications |location = Oxford, UK |isbn = 978-1-85168-184-6 |pages = [https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/334 334–335] |url = https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/334 }}</ref> The process of attracting people to the religion is referred to as teaching.<ref name="EncyBah"/> The term ''proselytism'' is given the connotation of aggressively teaching the religion to others – as such, Bahaʼi proselytism is prohibited.<ref name="hatcher">{{Cite book |last1 = Hatcher |first1 = W.S. |last2 = Martin |first2 = J.D. |year = 1998 |title = The Bahá'í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion |publisher = Harper & Row |location = New York, NY |isbn = 978-0-06-065441-2 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IZmkG1ASirgC | page = 220}}</ref>

Every Bahaʼi is obligated to teach their religion, as it is seen as the path toward bringing peace and justice to the world.<ref name="Smith2008">{{cite book |last = Smith |first = Peter |year = 2008 |title = An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith |publisher = Cambridge University Press |place = Cambridge |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=z7zdDFTzNr0C  |isbn = 978-0-521-86251-6 | pages = 198–199}}</ref> Some Bahaʼis [[Baháʼí teaching plans#Pioneering|become pioneers]], moving to countries or cities where there are a small number of Bahaʼis, with the aim of helping to spread the religion.<ref name="EncyBah"/> Some other Bahaʼis move from place to place in a process called travel teaching.<ref name="EncyBah"/> When moving or travelling to other countries, Bahaʼis are encouraged to integrate into their new society and apply Bahaʼis principles in living and working with their neighbours. However, only a small minority of Bahaʼis are directly teaching their religion to others.<ref name="hatcher" /> Despite this, as of 2010, the religion had [[Growth of religion|grown]] "at least twice as fast as the population of almost every UN region" over the previous 100 years.<ref>{{cite book| last =Johnson| first =Todd M. |author2=Brian J. Grim  | title =The World's Religions in Figures: An Introduction to International Religious Demography |chapter =Global Religious Populations, 1910–2010  |publisher =John Wiley & Sons| date =26 March 2013| pages =59–62| chapter-url =https://books.google.com/books?id=CkFVF8nFiqkC&pg=PA59|doi =10.1002/9781118555767.ch1| isbn = 9781118555767}}</ref>

[[Bahá'u'lláh]], the founder of the Bahaʼi Faith, wrote that those who would be teaching his religion should emphasize the importance of ethics and wisdom, and he counselled Bahaʼis to be unrestrained and put their trust in God. At the same time, he stated that Bahaʼis should exercise moderation, tact, and wisdom and not be too aggressive in their teaching.<ref name="Smith2008"/> In sharing their faith with others, Bahaʼis are cautioned to ensure the person they are proposing to teach is open to hearing what they say. In most countries, becoming a Bahaʼi is simply filling out a card stating a declaration of belief. This includes acknowledgement of Bahá'u'llah as the [[Manifestation of God (Baháʼí Faith)|messenger of God]] for this age, awareness and acceptance of his teachings, and intention to be obedient to the institutions and laws he established. It does not involve negating one's previous beliefs due to the Bahaʼi belief in [[Progressive revelation (Baháʼí)|progressive revelation]].

===Christianity===
{{Main|Christianization|Christian mission|Evangelism|Forced conversion#Christianity|List of converts to Christianity}}
[[Image:Stpatrick.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of [[St. Patrick]] of the [[Celtic Church]], who was famous for proselytizing]]

Many [[Christianity|Christians]] consider it their obligation to follow what is often termed the [[Great Commission]] in the final verses of the [[Gospel of Matthew]]: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."<ref>{{Bibleverse|Matthew|28:19–20|KJV}}</ref> The [[Acts of the Apostles]] and other sources contain several accounts of early Christians following this directive by engaging in individual conversations and mass sermons to spread the [[Good News (Christianity)|Good News]].

Most self-described Christian groups have organizations devoted to [[missionary]] work, which in whole or in part includes proselytism of the non-religious and people of other faiths (including sometimes other variants of Christianity). [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Rogerson|first=Alan|title=Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Constable & Co, London|year=1969|pages=1|isbn=978-0094559400}}</ref> and [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]<ref name = onemillion2>{{citation |url= http://www.deseretnews.com/article/680194052/1-million-missionaries-for-LDS-Church--so-far.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091115091000/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/680194052/1-million-missionaries-for-LDS-Church--so-far.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 November 2009 |title= 1 million missionaries for LDS Church – so far |last= Walch |first= Tad |newspaper= Deseret Morning News |date= 26 June 2007 |access-date= 27 November 2012 }}</ref> are known in particular for their doctrinal emphasis on proselytizing.

The [[Moscow Patriarchate]] has repeatedly strongly condemned what it describes as [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] proselytism of Orthodox Christians within Russia and has therefore opposed a Catholic construction project in an area of Russia where the Catholic community is small.  The Catholic Church claims that it is supporting the existing Catholic community within Russia and is not proselytizing.<ref>{{cite web  | last =Kondrusiewicz  | first =Archbishop Tadeusz  | title =Moscow's Catholic Archbishop Responds to Alexy II's Accusations  | publisher =Innovative Media, Inc  | date =15 February 2002  | url =http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=16708  | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20020307112311/http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=16708  | url-status =dead  | archive-date =7 March 2002  | access-date =29 September 2007  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web  | last =Fagan  | first =Geraldine  | title =Altai officials prefer eyedrops and cattle to Catholics  | publisher =Forum 18 News Service  | date =3 August 2005  | url =http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=624  | access-date =29 September 2007  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web  | title =Russian patriarch renews complaints on Catholic "proselytism"  | publisher =Directions to Orthodoxy  | date =5 June 2005  | url =http://directionstoorthodoxy.org/mod/news/view.php?article_id=198  | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071016190204/http://directionstoorthodoxy.org/mod/news/view.php?article_id=198  | url-status =dead  | archive-date =16 October 2007  | access-date =29 September 2007  }}</ref> In 1993 the [[Balamand declaration]] on proselytism was released between the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches.

====Muggletonians====
The [[Muggletonians]], founded by John Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton in mid-17th century London, believed that if a person were exposed to the full tenets of their faith and rejected it, they would be irretrievably damned. This risk tempered proselytization: they hesitated to expose people to loss of salvation, which may explain their low numbers. In the mid-19th century, two wealthy Muggletonians, Joseph and Isaac Frost, broke with this cautious approach and published several books about the faith.<ref>Lamont, W., ''Last Witnesses: The Muggletonian History 1652–1979'', Ashgate Publishing, 2006, p. xiii, p. 174</ref>

===Indian religions===
[[File:Buddhism Growth in Hellenic World.png|alt=|left|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Buddhist]] proselytism at the time of king [[Ashoka]] (260–218 BC), according to the [[Edicts of Ashoka]]]]

====Buddhism====
{{See also|Conversion to Buddhism|List of converts to Buddhism}}
Buddhism has no accepted or strong proselytism tradition, with the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] teaching his followers to respect other religions and the clergy.<ref name="Source1">{{cite web |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/proselytization-and-buddhism-449625 |title=Proselytization and Buddhism |last=O'Brien |first=Barbara |date=6 March 2017 |website=www.thoughtco.com |publisher=ThoughtCo. |access-date=18 January 2018 |archive-date=18 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122524/https://www.thoughtco.com/proselytization-and-buddhism-449625 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Emperor Ashoka]], however, sent imperial missionaries to various kingdoms and sent his son and daughter as missionaries to Sri Lanka following his conversion to Buddhism. Aggressive proselytizing is discouraged in the major Buddhist schools and Buddhists do not engage in the practice of proselytization.<ref name="Source1"/>

Some adherents of [[Nichiren Buddhism]] proselytise in a process called ''[[shakubuku]]''.

The [[Dalai Lama]] has critiqued proselytization and certain types of conversion, believing the practices to be contrary to the fundamental ideas of religious harmony and spiritual practice.<ref name="DALAI">{{cite web | url=https://www.dalailama.com/news/2019/first-day-of-teachings-for-asians | title=First Day of Teachings for Asians | date=September 4, 2019 | website=dalailama.com | publisher=The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama}}</ref> He has stated that "It's very important that our religious traditions live in harmony with one another and I don't think proselytizing contributes to this. Just as fighting and killing in the name of religion are very sad, it's not appropriate to use religion as a ground or a means for defeating others." In particular, he has critiqued Christian approaches to conversion in Asia, stating that he has "come across situations where serving the people is a cover for proselytization."<ref name="DALAI"/> The Dalai Lama has labeled such practices counter to the "message of Christ" and has emphasized that such individuals "practice conversion like a kind of war against peoples and cultures."<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Dalai Lama Speaks Out Against Fashionable Buddhism in Europe|url=https://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln260/DalaiLama/DL01-1.htm|access-date=2021-07-08|website=www2.kenyon.edu}}</ref> In a statement with Hindu religious leaders, he expressed that he opposes "conversions by any religious tradition using various methods of enticement."<ref>{{cite web |title=INDIA: KUMBH MELA: DALAI LAMA {{!}} AP Archive |url=http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/99be698a32a4ade0562228a6e45c9897 |website=[[Associated Press]] Archive |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref>

====Hinduism====
{{Main|Conversion to Hinduism|Forced conversion#Hinduism|List of converts to Hinduism}}
[[Hinduism]] has a proselytism tradition. Classical Hinduism represents a diversity of views and theology. Its followers are free to follow any among the theistic, non-theistic or other traditions within Hinduism. Followers can pick or change to any philosophy or belief they fancy and worship any personal god or goddess in a manner they deem fit, given an unspoken but loud understanding that all paths are equally valid in their purest form. Religious conversion from and to Hinduism has been controversial in the modern era. Many state the concept of missionary activity and proselytism is anathema to the precepts of Hinduism.<ref name=arvindmr>Arvind Sharma (2011), ''Hinduism as a Missionary Religion'', State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-1438432113}}, pages 31–53</ref>

While proselytism was not a part of the Hindu tradition, religious conversion to and between various traditions within Hinduism, such as [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaivism]], and [[Shaktism]], has a long history. However, these traditions of conversion did not have to do with an idea that was more objectively valid or the potential consequences of false ideas in the afterlife, but which was more conducive to understanding the unknowable [[Brahman]] and promoting righteousness throughout society.<ref>[[Jan Gonda]], The Indian Religions in Pre-Islamic Indonesia and their survival in Bali, in {{Google books|X7YfAAAAIAAJ|Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 3: Southeast Asia, Religions}}, pages 1–47</ref><ref>Richadiana Kartakusama (2006), ''Archaeology: Indonesian Perspective'' (Editors: Truman Simanjuntak et al.), Yayasan Obor Indonesia, {{ISBN|979-2624996}}, pp. 406–419</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= Java's Hinduism {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|Revivial}}|first=Thomas |last=Reuter|publisher=Hinduism Today |date=September 2004|url=http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2004/10-12/52-53_revivial.shtml}}</ref>

The debate on proselytization and religious conversion between Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism is more recent and started in the 19th century.<ref name=rafiuddinahmed>Rafiuddin Ahmed (1992), Muslim-Christian Polemics, in ''Religious Controversy in British India: Dialogues in South Asian Languages'' (Editor: Kenneth Jones), State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-0791408278}}, pages 93–120</ref><ref name=ayeshajalal>Ayesha Jalal (2010), ''Partisans of Allah: Jihad in South Asia'', Harvard University Press, {{ISBN|978-0674047365}}, pages 117–146</ref> Religious leaders of some [[Hindu reform movements]] such as the [[Arya Samaj]] launched the ''[[Shuddhi (Hinduism)|Shuddhi]]'' movement to proselytize and reconvert Muslims and Christians back to Hinduism,<ref name=csadcock>CS Adcock (2014), ''The Limits of Tolerance: Indian Secularism and the Politics of Religious Freedom'', Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0199995448}}, pages 1–35, 115–168</ref><ref>Harold Coward (1987), Modern Indian Responses to Religious Pluralism, State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-0887065729}}, pages 49–60</ref> while those such as the [[Brahmo Samaj]] suggested Hinduism to be a non-missionary religion.<ref name=arvindmr/> All these [[Hindu denominations|sects of Hinduism]] have welcomed new members to their group, while other leaders of Hinduism's diverse schools have stated that given the intensive proselytization activities from missionary Islam and Christianity, this "there is no such thing as proselytism in Hinduism" view must be re-examined.<ref name=arvindmr/><ref name=csadcock/><ref>Gauri Viswanathan (1998), ''Outside the Fold: Conversion, Modernity, and Belief'', Princeton University Press, {{ISBN|978-0691058993}}, pages 153–176</ref>

=====Hare Krishna Movement=====
One group that takes in willing converts in Hinduism is the [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness]] (ISKCON), also known as Hare Krishnas. Devotees have no codified conversion rituals but promote recitation of the [[Hare Krishna mantra]] as a means to achieve a mature stage of love of God. ISKCON adherents view [[Krishna]] as the supreme deity that those of other faith traditions worship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Philosophy|url=http://iskcon.org/philosophy|work=International Society for Krishna Consciousness|publisher=iskcon.org|access-date=24 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920042816/http://iskcon.org/philosophy|archive-date=20 September 2012}}</ref> A commonly accepted notion among devotees is that ISKCON allows one to recognize the primacy of the supreme deity, Krishna, in the practices and traditions of other faiths. ISKCON promotes the concept of [[Sanatana-Dharma]] (Hinduism), the 'eternal law' that other faiths can uncover.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Sebastian|first=Rodney|author2=Parmeswaran |title=Hare Krishnas in Singapore: Agency, State, and Hinduism|journal=Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia|date=April 2008|volume=23|issue=1|page=81}}</ref>

====Jainism====
[[Mahavira]] (599–527 BC), the 24th [[Tirthankara]] of [[Jainism]], developed an early philosophy regarding relativism and subjectivism known as ''[[Anekantavada]]''. As a result of this acceptance of alternative religious practices, the phenomenon of proselytization is largely absent in these religions but not unknown. Converts are welcome to the Jain faith.

====Sikhism====
{{Main|List of converts to Sikhism}}
[[Sikhism]] is not a proselytizing religion and proselytism is largely discouraged "through force or inducement" out of the belief that each person has a fundamental right to practice their religion freely.<ref name="Āhalūwālīā1983">{{cite book|last=Āhalūwālīā|first=Jasabīra Siṅgha|title=The sovereignty of the Sikh doctrine: Sikhism in the perspective of modern thought|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u37XAAAAMAAJ|year=1983|publisher=Bahri|page=47}}</ref>

===Islam===
{{Main|Dawah|Islamic missionary activity|Islamization|List of converts to Islam|Shahada}}
In [[Islam]], inviting people to the religion is meritorious. The [[Quran]] states,
{{blockquote|There is no compulsion in the religion. The truth stands clear from error. Whoever rejects falsehood and believes in Allah has grasped a firm hand-hold that will never break, for Allah hears and knows (all things). [[Al-Baqara 256]]}}

The operative phrase /lā ikrāha fī d-dīni/ literally translates as “there is to be no compulsion in religion.” “Ikrāh” is the gerund attached to the verb “akraha,” among whose meanings is “he compelled (another to do something he hates doing).” Muslim scholars consider this passage to mean that force is not to be used to convert someone to Islam. [[Muslims]] consider inviting others to Islam to be the mission originally carried out by the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|prophets of Allah]] and is now a collective duty of Muslims. The Quran states, 
{{blockquote|Invite (others) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and reason with them in ways that are best. Your Lord knows best who is straying from His path and who is being guided (towards it). Al Nahl ('The Bees', 16:125)}}
Here, the operative phrase /udʿu ilà sabīli rabbika/ "Invite (command to a single male subject) to the way of your Lord" expresses the element direction /ilà/ "to" that is missing in 'The Cow', 2:256.

===Judaism===
{{Further|Conversion to Judaism|Forced conversion#Judaism}}
An important tenet of [[Judaism]] is that God's will allows people to exercise free will. As such, proselytizing is generally regarded as offensive in Judaism. Consequently, Judaism does typically not proselytize non-Jews. Instead, non-Jews are encouraged to follow the [[Seven Laws of Noah]], assuring them a place in the [[world to come]]. In ancient times, these observant non-Jews could become ''[[Ger toshav|geirim toshvim]]'', a term still sometimes used informally to refer to those who strive to follow these laws and who will join the Jewish people in the world to come. A non-Jew who follows Noahide law is considered to believe in [[Noahidism]]; for this end, there is some minor outreach by Orthodox Jewish organizations.

Generally, Jews expect any convert to Judaism to come through their own accord. A common source of converts are those who have married a Jew, but many people join for spiritual or other personal reasons; these people are called "Jews by choice".<ref name="KrauszTulea">{{cite book|author1=Ernest Krausz|author-link=Ernest Krausz|author2=Gitta Tulea|title=Jewish Survival: The Identity Problem at the Close of the Twentieth Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dnxv-Mlz0JIC&pg=PA97|publisher=Transaction Publishers|isbn=978-1-4128-2689-1|page=97}}</ref> [[Rabbi]]s will often discourage new members from pursuing conversion but may provide guidance through courses or personal meetings for those who are truly interested. [[Orthodox Judaism]] in theory neither encourages nor discourages conversion. Standards for conversion can be very challenging, but rabbis will acquiesce to persistent and sincere requests for conversion. Much emphasis is placed on gaining a [[Jewish identity]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Moss|first=Aron|url=http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=248165|title=Why Do Rabbis Discourage Conversions? – Jewish Identity|publisher=Chabad.org|access-date=6 August 2012}}</ref>

Although most Jewish organizations do not proselytize, [[Chabad]] practices [[Orthodox Judaism outreach]] to [[Halakha|halachic]] Jews who are not observant.

===Inherited membership===
{{See also|Ethnoreligious group}}
Sects of some religions, such as the [[Druze]], [[Yazidis]], and [[Yarsanism|Yarsans]], do not accept converts at all.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/172195/Druze The Druze permit no conversion, either away from or to their religion.] retrieved 29 March 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/conversion-vii CONVERSION vii. Modern Zoroastrians disagree on whether it is permissible for outsiders to enter their religion.] retrieved 29 March 2015</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pukmedia.com/EN/Details/71230|title=Kaka'is - The men with big moustaches ‌|website=www.pukmedia.com|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-date=4 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104081419/https://www.pukmedia.com/EN/Details/71230|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Apostasy]]
* [[Fate of the unlearned]]
* [[Freedom of religion]]
* [[List of proselytes]]
* [[Religious conversion]]

==References and sources==
;References
{{Reflist}}
;Sources
*{{Cite journal | author=C. Davis | title=Joining a Cult: Religious Choice or Psychological Aberration? | journal= Cleveland-Marshall Journal of Law and Health| year=1996 | volume=11 | url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/cult_art.htm }}
*{{cite web | title=Russian Canonical Territory | url=http://www.catholic-church.org/church-unity/r_c_t_e.htm | access-date=5 May 2006 | archive-date=2 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002011919/http://www.catholic-church.org/church-unity/r_c_t_e.htm | url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web | title=Human Rights Without Frontiers Int. | work=European Court Final Judgments on Religious Freedom Issues 1964–2001 | url=http://www.hrwf.net/html/0804courtfinal.htm | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620010314/http://hrwf.net/html/0804courtfinal.htm | archive-date=20 June 2006}}
*{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1847259_1847281_1847274,00.html?cnn=yes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008005129/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1847259_1847281_1847274,00.html?cnn=yes |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2008 |title=YouTube Gets Religion|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=3 October 2008|first=David|last=Van Biema}}
*{{cite web|title=Rabbi Asher Meza's Jewish outreach organization|url=http://www.BeJewish.org|publisher=BeJewish.org}}
*Yahiya Emerick. "The Holy Qur'an in Today's English", {{ISBN|978-1451506914}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{Commons category|Proselytism}}
* [https://archive.today/20070927032705/http://www.irla.org/documents/articles/lerner-proselytism.html Proselytism, Change of Religion, and International Human Rights, by Natan Lerner, PhD]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Religious conversion]]
[[Category:Persuasion]]