The Baha'i Studies Listserv
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religious_converts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_conversion
Why do people convert? Why should people convert?
The Bahai section from Wikipedia is below. Why do and why should non-Bahais
become Bahais? Also, former Christians, former Muslims, and former Atheists are
listed at Wikipedia. Why should anyone covert from/to Atheism, Buddhism,
Hinduism, Sikhism, Bahaiism, Chrisitianity, Islam, Judaism, Confucianism,
Paganisn, Zoroastrianism, etc?
In sharing their faith with others, Bahá'ís are cautioned to "obtain a hearing"
– meaning to make sure the person they are proposing to teach is open to
hearing what they have to say. "Bahá'í pioneers", rather than attempting to
supplant the cultural underpinnings of the people in their adopted communities,
are encouraged to integrate into the society and apply Bahá'í principles in
living and working with their neighbors.
Bahá'ís recognize the divine origins of all revealed religion, and believe that
these religions occurred sequentially as part of a Divine plan (see Progressive
revelation), with each new revelation superseding and fulfilling that of its
predecessors. Bahá'ís regard their own faith as the most recent (but not the
last), and believe its teachings – which are centered around the principle of
the oneness of humanity – are most suited to meeting the needs of a global
community.
In most countries conversion is a simple matter of filling out a card stating a
declaration of belief. This includes acknowledgement of Bahá'u'llah – the
Founder of the Faith – as the Messenger of God for this age, awareness and
acceptance of His teachings, and intention to be obedient to the institutions
and laws He established.
Conversion to the Bahá'í Faith carries with it an explicit belief in the common
foundation of all revealed religion, a commitment to the unity of mankind, and
active service to the community at large, especially in areas that will foster
unity and concord. Since the Bahá'í Faith has no clergy, converts to this Faith
are encouraged to be active in all aspects of community life. Even a recent
convert may be elected to serve on a Local Spiritual Assembly – the guiding
Bahá'í institution at the community level.[30][31]
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