proselytism
Noun: 1. The state or condition of being a proselyte; conversion, especially to a religious faith, sect, or party. This meaning focuses on the result—the act of changing one's beliefs or affiliation. 2. The act or practice of attempting to convert people from one belief, opinion, or party to another. This meaning focuses on the active process of seeking converts, often with zeal.
The word is used in formal or academic contexts, often related to religion, politics, or ideology. It can describe both the state of being converted and the active effort to convert others.
Referring to the state of conversion:
- His sudden proselytism from atheism to a fervent religious belief surprised his friends.
- The history of the region is marked by waves of religious proselytism and cultural change.
Referring to the practice of seeking converts:
- The group was criticized for its aggressive proselytism in the community.
- Political proselytism is common during election seasons.
"Religious proselytism": A common collocation specifying efforts to convert people to a particular religion.
- The law protects freedom of belief but restricts aggressive religious proselytism.
"Zealous proselytism": Emphasizes the fervent, energetic nature of the conversion efforts.
- The movement grew through the zealous proselytism of its early members.
- Proselyte (n): A person who has converted from one opinion, religion, or party to another.
- She was a proselyte to the new political movement.
- Proselytize (v): To attempt to convert someone to one's own religious faith, political party, or cause.
- They were sent to proselytize in foreign lands.
- Proselytizer (n): A person who proselytizes.
- Conversion: The act or process of changing one's beliefs.
- Evangelism: The spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness (a specific, often zealous form of proselytism).
- Missionary work: Activity aimed at spreading a religion, often in foreign lands.
- Recruitment: The action of enlisting new people, especially for a cause or organization (more secular).
- Apostasy: The abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.
- Toleration: The practice of allowing beliefs or practices one disagrees with.
- "Engage in proselytism": To be involved in the activity of seeking converts.
- The sect was known to actively engage in proselytism.
- "Object of proselytism": Refers to the person or group being targeted for conversion.
- The vulnerable populations were often the object of proselytism by various groups.
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the state of being a proselyte; spiritual rebirth resulting from the zeal of crusading advocacy of the gospel
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the practice of proselytizing
