Conversion to Christianity: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Conversion on the Way to Damascus-Caravaggio (c.1600-1).jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|''[[Conversion on the Way to Damascus]]'' (1601) by [[Caravaggio]] ([[Santa Maria del Popolo]], [[Rome]]) depicts the [[Conversion of Paul the Apostle|conversion of Paul the Apostle to Christianity]] according to the events narrated in the [[Acts 9|ninth chapter]] of the [[Acts of the Apostles|Book of Acts]] (Acts 9:1-22)<ref>{{Bibleverse|Acts|9:1–22|RSV}}</ref>]]

'''Conversion to Christianity''' is the [[religious conversion]] of a previously non-Christian person that brings about changes in what sociologists refer to as the convert's "root reality" including histheir social behaviors, thinking and ethics. The sociology of religion indicates religious conversion was an important factor in the emergence of civilization and the making of the modern world. Conversion is the most studied aspect of religion by psychologists of religion, but there is still very little actual data available. Neurological studies have determined that conversion is not the result of pathology.

Christianity is growing rapidly in the global South and East, primarily through conversion. Different methods of conversion have been practiced historically. There is evidence of coercion by secular leaders in the Early and Late Middle Ages, though coercion as a method has never been approved or even supported by any majority of Christian theologians.