Proselytes

Proselyte is a term used to describe a person who has converted from one religion or belief system to another. The word comes from the Greek prosēlýtos, meaning “one who has come over,” and entered English via Latin as proselytus and proselyte. It is commonly used to refer to someone who has joined a new religious community by adopting its beliefs, practices, and identity.

In Judaism, the term proselyte refers to a convert to Judaism. Rabbinic law distinguishes forms such as the ger tzedek (a righteous convert) and the ger shenishba (a captured or non-initiated convert). Conversion typically involves circumcision for males, immersion in a mikveh, and acceptance of the commandments before a beit din (rabbinic court). Once accepted, a convert is regarded as a full member of the Jewish community with regard to religious obligations, though discussions about lineage and status have persisted in various historical contexts.

In broader religious and historical contexts, proselyte has been used to describe someone who has joined a faith different from their previous one, including early Christian contexts where Gentiles converted from paganism or Judaism. The related verb proselytize denotes the act of attempting to persuade others to convert. In modern usage, the term can carry historical or theological nuance, and many contemporary denominations prefer terms like “convert” or “new member” for clarity, while “proselytism” remains in use for active evangelism.

See also: conversion to Judaism, ger, proselytism, religious conversion, evangelism.