A Popular Dictionary of Judaism
Rejection of Judaism for another faith. Once Christianity became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, many *Jews were baptized either from fear or from genuine conviction.
The Jewish community maintained the distinction between those who became Christians for material advantage and those who were compelled to convert (see *ANUSIM, *MARRANO). In modern times, Jews were more likely to convert to gain acceptability in mainstream *gentile society (see *ASSIMILATION). According to Jewish Law, an apostate is still counted among the Jewish community—he can, for example, contract a Jewish *marriage. However under the *Law of Return , apostate Jews may not become citizens of the state of *Israel.
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