Religious Conversion

Religious Conversion: Religion Scholars Thinking Together explores various issues relating to the nature, methods, and effects of religious conversion in the major world faiths. Presents the results of an innovative ten-year project initiated the World Council of Churches Features contributions from religious scholars and leaders of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim traditions Considers myriad issues relating to the nature, methods, and effects of religious conversion in the major world faiths Addresses questions on religious freedom, legal considerations, and the future for religious conversion

Notes on Contributors vii Introduction 1 Shanta Premawardhana Part I: Preliminary Considerations 7 1 Thinking Together: A Story and a Method 9 M. Thomas Thangaraj 2 Defining Religious Conversion 21 M. Thomas Thangaraj 3 Models of Religious Belonging 32 Rita M. Gross 4 Conversion Sought and Feared 45 Hans Ucko Part II: Views from Five Religious Traditions 61 5 Buddhists on Religious Conversion: A Critical Issue 63 Mahinda Deegalle 6 A Christian Perspective on Conversion 83 Jay T. Rock 7 Conversion from a Hindu Perspective: Controversies, Challenges, and Opportunities 98 Anantanand Rambachan 8 Islamic Perspectives on Conversion: Aid Evangelism and Apostasy Law 119 A. Rashied Omar and Rabia Terri Harris 9 Jewish Perspectives on Conversion 142 Amy Eilberg Part III: Conversion and Human Rights 159 10 Conversion and Religious Freedom 161 S. Wesley Ariarajah 11 The Right to Religious Freedom and Proselytism: A Legal Perspective 177 Ravin Ramdass Part IV: Looking to the Future 197 Epilogue: To Learn and to Encourage: Insights from the Thinking Together Group 199 Shanta Premawardhana A Study Guide 205 Deborah Weissman Index 212