Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Conversion
(1,408 words)

1. Concept



Conversion (Lat. conversio; “turn-around” ) or the symbol of new birth or rebirth, which represents the same experience, is a universal religious phenomenon. People view conversion as an act by which they enter into a fundamental and comprehensive change in their religious or quasi-religious (e.g. ideological or artistic) orientation.

2. Types

Conversion may mean:

(1) a change of direction towards new religious or moral values, or a return to familiar on…

Cite this page
Matthias, Markus, “Conversion”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_017455>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20170206



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