To better understand what does happen, it is helpful to place the matter of religious conversion in the context of joining or affiliating with groups. By approaching conversion as a unique form of joining , rather than assuming it to be a radically different means of affiliating , we create the opportunity to examine conversion in a comparative sense. Beginning in the 7th century, soldiers were the principle instrument for the spread of Islam from Senegal to Indonesia . So it has been through much of history. In the contemporary modern world, one's faith is usually a matter of choice.
People elect to join a faith tradition.
Still, most people do not elect to stray far from the religion of their birth. Factors affecting decision to join Marriage Social status Association Convenient location of a church Friendship networks It is clear that most faith affiliations have nothing to do with the classic conception of conversion. Committed to persecuting members of the young Christian cult, Saul of Tarsus was struck down by a bolt of light on the road to Demascus and became the most celebrated convert in all of Christendom Virtually everyone who lives in the Christian world knows the story of a Roman soldier named Saul of Tarsus. Conversion, understood as a radical life transforming experience has played a central role in Christianity from the beginning. As a Problematic Status Conversion as problematic Acceptance of a conversion experience depends on where the assessor stands viz a viz the convert.