conversionPetrus Tiele (1830–1902) and Pierre D. Chantepie de la Saussaye (1848–
1920). Tiele’s approach to the study of religion includes using empirical,
historical, and comparative elements to classify religious phenomena,
and a study of the permanent elements in religion within the context of
change. Chantepie de la Saussaye wants to develop a science of religion,
which can have a comparative component along with phenomenological
and psychological aspects.
A comparative religion approach to the study of religion is combined with
the methods of phenomenology and history by such scholars as Rudolf Otto
(1869–1937), Gerardus van der Leeuw (1890–1950), Mircea Eliade (1907–
1986), Ninian Smart (1927–2001), Jonathan Z. Smith, and others. According
to Eliade, a scholar must take an encyclopedic approach to one’s subject in
order to grasp the structure of a religious phenomenon, and one must use
comparison along with morphological classification. Smith criticizes
Eliade’s comparative approach for being too impressionistic, for being
unhistorical and ignoring linear development, and blind to differences
because Eliade concentrates on sameness. Scholars continue to debate the
merits and wisdom of comparative religion to the present time. Nonetheless,
comparative religion can be viewed from an historical perspective as a pre-
cursor to the establishment of the discipline of Religious Studies.
Further reading: Capps (1995); Martin (1996); Paden (1988); Patton and Ray
(2000); Saler (1993); Sharpe (1986); Smith (1978, 1990)
CONVERSION
In the West, conversion can be traced back to the Latin term conversio,
which represents a translation of the Greek metanoia, literally meaning
“going the other way.” It involves the adoption of a new religious com-
mitment and identity different from one’s former status or membership
either in another religion or none at all. Conversion can occur from out-
side a religious tradition or within it, from, for instance, one denomina-
tion to another; it can also occur suddenly or gradually depending on the
religious context and person. Conversion to another religion can occur
for a variety of reasons, such as personal conviction, marital conversion
to the religion of a spouse, deathbed conversion, or forced conversion
done within a context of persecution. Most religions of the world do not
seek to convert others, with Christianity and Islam being the two major
exceptions. Even though many religions do not attempt to convert others,
it is generally possible to become a Jew, a Hindu, or a Buddhist.