Converting To Ethnic Faiths: Is It Simple?

The ease of conversion to a religion depends on the religion itself and the community in question. Some religions are classified as missionary, meaning they actively seek new followers, while others are non-missionary and do not. However, even within these broad categories, the ease of conversion can vary. For example, while Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam are considered missionary religions, the current Dalai Lama discourages active attempts to win converts to Tibetan Buddhism.

Some ethnic faiths are considered non-missionary and do not accept converts at all, such as the Druze, Yazidis, and Zoroastrians. Other ethnic religions may accept converts but require a lengthy and challenging process, such as Judaism. In some cases, conversion may be officially permitted but strongly discouraged, such as in Shinto, where one must learn the language and follow the rules of the faith to be accepted by the community.

On the other hand, some ethnic religions have relatively simple conversion processes. For example, in Hinduism, there is no barrier to entry, and one can consider themselves a Hindu simply by adopting the beliefs and practices. Similarly, in Hellenism and Heathenry, one can become a follower simply by choosing to identify with the religion.

It is worth noting that, in some cases, the ease of conversion may be influenced by external factors such as political or colonial restrictions. For instance, several Middle Eastern religions like Druzism and Mandaeism were forced to stop accepting converts due to decrees by the Islamic empires that ruled over them.

Conversion to Sikhism

Sikhism is an ethnic religion that emerged in 15th-century South Asia. The first Sikhs came from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds in the Punjab region. The religion encourages humility, compassion, gender equality, oneness, honest living, unity of all human beings, charity, and meditation on God.

There is no formal ceremony or ritual required to become a Sikh. If you attend a Sikh camp, yoga session, or fall in love with Sikh philosophy and feel that Sikhism is your way of connecting with God, then you are a Sikh!

Some people may wish to get a spiritual Sikh name to help them along their journey and give them a new identity. This can be done by attending a naming ceremony at a Gurdwara or by applying online.

Sikhs are expected to avoid alcohol, smoking, drugs, illicit sex, and generally follow a lacto-vegetarian diet. These guidelines are in place to ensure that Sikhs can more easily create a union with God while they pray and meditate.

Initiation into the Khalsa Order is a more disciplined form of Sikhism, where adherents keep long hair and take the nectar of immortality (Amrit). This would be a formal confirmation of a Sikh's faith in the religion and the spiritual lifestyle as formalised by the tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Historically, many Hindus in India raised their first-born sons as Sikhs, so they could join the Sikh liberation army and protect the religious freedom of the people in India by putting a stop to the forceful conversion of Indian people to Islam. This tradition still happens to a lesser extent in some Hindu families of Sindhi and Punjabi cultural backgrounds.

Additionally, a small number of Dalits converted to Sikhism for its belief in human unity, and virtually all of the Sikh communities in South America have come into Sikhism through the practice of Kundalini Yoga.

Conversion to Hinduism

Hinduism is a religion predominantly followed by people from the Indian subcontinent, now found in countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and more. It is not a single spiritual philosophy but an aggregation of numerous schools of darshanas and different schools of thoughts and faiths.

Unlike many other religions, there is no official conversion process or ceremony for converting to Hinduism. The religion preaches that there is no need for conversion as the wisdom of the universe is available to all. To become a follower, one needs only the will and commitment to study the scriptures and abide by the proper practices.

Joining a Sect

The first step to converting to Hinduism is to find a sect that will accept you. Research local Hindu temples and organisations to find out what the requirements are to join. Many contemporary Hindu sects are happy to take on Western followers and anyone else interested in learning Hindu doctrine.

Ritual Worship

Once you become part of a Hindu temple or organisation, you will be expected to participate in puja, or ritual worship. Puja ceremonies are most often composed of many different symbolic actions, such as cleansing idols representing Hindu deities, making offerings, and recitation of spiritual scriptures.

Yoga and Meditation

Learn the proper asanas, or meditative yoga motions, to supplement prayer and ritual offerings. In the Hindu religion, meditation can be performed either from a resting position or through the practice of yoga, which is essentially a form of moving meditation.

Karma

Commit to improving your karma. Seek to live a good life, be mindful of the suffering of the world, show kindness to others, and implement the wisdom of the Vedas, or classical scriptures. Karma is a central tenant of Hindu philosophy and lies at the heart of all human interaction.

Hindu Celebrations and Festivals

Attend Hindu celebrations and festivals, such as Holi, a celebration of springtime and rebirth, and Diwali, the "row of lights" ceremony that commemorates the end of the Vikram calendar.

Spiritual Pilgrimage

If you have fully committed yourself to following Hinduism, you might plan a pilgrimage to visit holy sites in India and its outlying regions and pay your respects.

Conversion to Buddhism

Converting to Buddhism usually requires accepting the Five Precepts:

• To refrain from killing
• To refrain from stealing
• To refrain from lying
• To refrain from being intoxicated
• To refrain from improper sexual conduct

Some schools of Buddhism believe that to follow the first precept about not killing requires one to be a vegetarian. In some Buddhist sects, there are eight precepts that need to be followed to convert. These include the five precepts listed above, as well as:

• To refrain from eating after noon
• To refrain from singing and dancing
• To refrain from sitting or sleeping on luxurious items or places

In addition to taking these basic Buddhist vows, conversion usually requires a recital of accepting the Triple Gems of Buddhism:

• I take refuge in the Buddha
• I take refuge in the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha)
• I take refuge in the Sangha (the brotherhood of Buddhist monks)

Some famous converts to Buddhism include:

• Goldie Jeanne Hawn
• Robert Downey Jr.
• Richard Gere
• Steven Seagal
• Sharon Stone
• Tina Turner
• Jet Li
• Allen Ginsberg
• Leonard Cohen
• Kate Bosworth
• Miranda Kerr
• Oliver Stone
• Robert Thurman

Conversion to Islam

Requirements for Conversion

Converting to Islam requires one to declare the Shahada, the Muslim profession of faith: "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah". The Shahada is the first of the six pillars of faith in Islam, which also include believing in Allah's books, messengers, angels, the Day of Judgement/Resurrection, and Qadr (God's pre-existent knowledge).

Islamic Missionary Activities

Dawah is the Islamic act of inviting or calling people to embrace Islam. In Islamic theology, the purpose of da'wah is to invite people, both Muslims and non-Muslims, to understand the worship of God as expressed in the Qur'an and the sunnah of Muhammad. Da'wah was the means by which Muhammad began spreading the message of the Qur'an to mankind. After Muhammad, his followers and the Muslim community assumed responsibility for it.

Conversion Rates

According to a 2017 Pew Research Center survey, between 2010 and 2015, the natural increase in the Muslim population (i.e. the number of births minus the number of deaths) was 152 million. This was in addition to small net gains through religious conversion into Islam (420,000). The same study predicted that by 2060, Muslims will remain the world's second-largest religious group, with their numbers reaching 2.9 billion (or 31.1%).

According to The New York Times, an estimated 25% of American Muslims are converts. A 2001 census in the United Kingdom found that there had been an increase of 60,000 conversions to Islam in the country. In France, conversions to Islam have doubled in the past 25 years, with about 100,000 converts among the country's six million Muslims.

Conversion to Judaism

Denominational Differences

The first step towards converting to Judaism is to choose a denomination. The different movements within Judaism, such as Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox, have varying requirements for conversion. For example, a traditional rabbinic court (beit din) expects a conversion to be based solely on the desire to become a Jew, while liberal movements allow more flexibility in the candidate's initial motivation. It is important to research and choose a denomination that aligns with your beliefs and values.

Finding a Rabbi or Congregation

After choosing a denomination, the next step is to find a rabbi or congregation that can guide you through the conversion process. It is recommended to speak with multiple rabbis to find one with whom you feel comfortable and who can sponsor your conversion. This rabbi will become your primary source of support and guidance throughout the process.

Study and Exploration

Once you have found a rabbi or congregation, the conversion process involves an in-depth study of Jewish theology, rituals, history, culture, and customs. This includes attending classes, participating in worship services, and incorporating Jewish practices into your daily life. The scope of study may vary depending on the rabbi and community, but it typically involves a comprehensive course in basic Judaism, individual study with a rabbi, and active participation in the Jewish community.

Rituals and Requirements

As part of the conversion process, there are several rituals and requirements that must be fulfilled. These include:

• Accepting the yoke of the commandments: Converting to Judaism requires a verbal commitment to live according to all the Torah's commandments. This commitment must be made out of a sincere desire to serve God as a Jew.
• Immersion in a mikvah: Converting to Judaism involves immersion in a ritual bath (mikvah), which symbolically cleanses the convert and marks their spiritual rebirth as a Jew.
• Circumcision: For male converts, circumcision is required. If the individual was already circumcised, a symbolic drawing of blood is performed.

Recognition and Acceptance

After completing the conversion rituals, it is important to ensure that your conversion is recognized by the Jewish community. Some rabbis and communities may not recognize online conversions or those performed by certain denominations. Therefore, it is crucial to research and ensure that your conversion will be widely accepted.

Post-Conversion Challenges

Even after a successful conversion, there may be challenges as a new Jew. Establishing relationships with the Jewish community, reconnecting with your birth family, and navigating the emotional transition from "a convert" to feeling like a part of the Jewish people can take time and patience. It is important to recognize that becoming a Jew is a lifelong journey of learning and growth.

Frequently asked questions