conversion
German nationalist politician converts to Islam, quits post
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 24, 2018
BERLIN (AP) — A longtime member of the nationalist Alternative for Germany party has resigned his post on its regional leadership after converting to Islam.
The good news from Israel
By Jeffrey Salkin — July 17, 2017
The biggest news from Israel is not the Wall and conversion. It is about how secularists are claiming Judaism for themselves, and for all of us.
A Dalit community looks to escape the caste system by converting to Buddhism
By Yonat Shimron — May 11, 2017
AHMEDABAD, India (RNS) More than 300 conversions took place across the state of Gujarat during an October ceremony — the direct response to a surge of caste-based violence.
iPhones and the risen Christ: What’s the connection?
By Jonathan Merritt — April 14, 2017
A few years ago, Esther Emery was not a believer but she was burnt out. In a “desperate attempt for a reset,” she decided to take a year hiatus from technology. Surprisingly, her digital fast leads her into a profound experience with the Risen Christ and the faith she had previously rejected. Her book, “What Falls From the […]
Ivanka Trump and other Orthodox Jewish converts to fall under new guidelines
By Lauren Markoe — December 9, 2016
(RNS) Israel's two chief rabbis are promising new guidelines that will make it possible to determine whether a conversion performed outside of Israel would be valid in their eyes.
Indian Dalits hope to end discrimination through conversion
By RNS staff — September 27, 2016
MUMBAI, India (RNS) Fed up with the divisiveness of Hinduism’s caste system -- entrenched for centuries -- many Dalits are finding refuge in Buddhism.
US rabbis outraged by Israeli rabbinical court’s treatment of convert
By Yonat Shimron — July 14, 2016
(RNS) The woman who was identified publicly as “Nicole” underwent an Orthodox conversion by New York Rabbi Haskel Lookstein in May 2015.
Eight titles for summer ‘soulstice’ reading
By Kimberly Winston — June 14, 2016
(RNS) Here are eight books that add a little soul food to the usual light summer reading list.
‘Star Wars’: The return of the transcendent (COMMENTARY)
By Charles C. Camosy — December 18, 2015
(RNS) "The Force Awakens" gives us hope for the possibility of redemption and conversion.
Catholics shouldn’t try to convert Jews, says new Vatican document
By Rosie Scammell — December 10, 2015
(RNS) One expert calls it the first time active conversion of Jews was so clearly repudiated in a Vatican document.
Why Michele Bachmann’s push to convert Jews is so retro (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — November 27, 2015
(RNS) When she visited Israel earlier this month, Michele Bachmann urged Jews to convert to Christianity as soon as possible because the end times were near.
Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor were seriously Jewish, exhibit explains
By Lauren Markoe — November 27, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) Both Marilyn Monoe and Elizabeth Taylor converted to Judaism. But if you think they did it just to please their Jewish husbands, think again. A new exhibit at New York's Jewish Museum chronicles their Jewish journeys.
German Protestant church’s scandalous idea rocks evangelical community
By Tom Heneghan — October 30, 2015
(RNS) An initiative to quit converting Muslim refugees by the mainline Rhineland church prompted a sharp response from Germany’s small evangelical movement.
The ‘Splainer: How do Jewish conversions work?
By Sara Weissman — July 30, 2015
(RNS) Jewish conversion seems to be all over the media lately. But what does it actually entail? Let us 'Splain ...
For transgender Jews, the ritual bath is fraught with questions about inclusion
By Lauren Markoe — July 23, 2015
(RNS) As difficult as it may be for anyone to disrobe at mikvah, the transgender person may struggle with a far more intense anxiety.
