Proselytism is the act of attempting to
convert people to another
religion or opinion. The word
proselytize is derived from the
Greek language prefix
προσ- (
pros-, toward) and the verb
ἔρχομαι (
érchomai, to come) in the form of προσήλυτος (
prosélytos, a new comer). Historically in the
Koine Greek Septuagint and
New Testament, the word
proselyte denoted a
gentile who was considering
conversion to Judaism. Though the word proselytism originally referred to
Early Christianity (and earlier
Gentiles such as
God-fearers), it now refers to the attempt of any religion or religious individuals to convert people to their beliefs, or any attempt to convert people to a different point of view, religious or not. Proselytism is illegal in some countries.