Description
This paper argues for a critical reconceptualization of ‘conversion’ from an intersectional and comparative perspective, based on a ethnographic study of Dutch women who converted to Judaism, Christianity or Islam. First, it critically reflects if, and how, the concept of conversion can be applied to all three contexts, highlighting the critique voiced by Jewish and Muslim women about the Christian (Protestant) connotations with the term. Second, it proposes a reconceptualization of conversion that includes the dimension of race, by analysing the different processes of racialization experienced by the participants. The paper builds on the innovative work by scholars who call attention to the intersections of race and religion, which is crucial for the decolonization of ‘conversion’ studies. A bottom-up comparative approach has the potential to critically examine not only the positions of (religious/racial) minorities, but also the mechanisms of (religious/racial) hegemony at work in Western Europe.| Period | 19 Nov 2023 |
|---|---|
| Event title | AAR Annual Meeting |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | San Antonio, United States, TexasShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |