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 Nicheren
Buddhism of Japan,
Christianity, and
Islam, while the non-missionary religions include
Judaism,
Zoroastrianism,
Hinduism & most of Buddhism. Other religions, such as Primal Religions,
Confucianism, and
Taoism, may also be considered non-missionary religions.
Baháʼí Faith In the
writings of the
Baháʼí Faith, the endeavour to attract people to the religion is strongly emphasized. The process of attracting people to the religion is referred to as teaching. Every Bahaʼi is obligated to teach their religion, as it is seen as the path toward bringing peace and justice to the world. Some Bahaʼis
become pioneers, moving to countries or cities where there are a small number of Bahaʼis, with the aim of helping to spread the religion.
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. 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. 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 and
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are known in particular for their doctrinal emphasis on proselytizing. The
Moscow Patriarchate has repeatedly strongly condemned what it describes as
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. In 1993 the
Balamand declaration on proselytism was released between the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches. 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
wiles." The
World Council of Churches in
The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness states the following: 19. Proselytism as described in this document stands in opposition to all
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.
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.
Indian religions proselytism at the time of king
Ashoka (260–218 BC), according to the
Edicts of Ashoka Buddhism Buddhism has no accepted or strong proselytism tradition, with the
Buddha teaching his followers to respect other religions and the clergy.
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. 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." In a statement with Hindu religious leaders, he expressed that he opposes "conversions by any religious tradition using various methods of enticement."
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. 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. The debate on proselytization and religious conversion between Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism is more recent and started in the 19th century. Religious leaders of some
Hindu reform movements such as the
Arya Samaj launched the
Shuddhi movement to proselytize and reconvert Muslims and Christians back to Hinduism, while those such as the
Brahmo Samaj suggested Hinduism to be a non-missionary religion.
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. 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.
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 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.
Islam In
Islam, inviting people to the religion is meritorious. The
Quran states, 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 of Allah and is now a collective duty of Muslims. The Quran states, 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. Some interpretations of
Sharia have forbidden non-Muslims from proselytising to Muslims.
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
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 intend to marry a Jewish person, but many join for spiritual or other personal reasons; these people are called "Jews by choice".
Rabbis will often initially discourage conversion, but will 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. Although most Jewish organizations do not proselytize,
Chabad practices
Orthodox Judaism outreach to
halachic Jews who are not observant.
Inherited membership Sects of some religions, such as the
Druze,
Yazidis, and
Yarsans, do not accept converts at all. ==See also==