A book about conversions

FAITH SEEKERS had the opportunity to talk to rabbi Romain who is one of the leading reform rabbis in Britain. He has written numerous books, including “Your God Shall Be My God: Religious Conversion in Britain Today”, and regularly writes for national newspapers such as The Times and The Jewish Chronicle.

Rabbi Romain confirms that although on one level adherence to religion in this country seems to be on the decline, and yet even though many churches are having very low attendance at the same time, there is still a high number of people converting to different faiths: “There are gains and losses at the same time.”

Gains and losses
 
“In England the church of England is certainly losing the most, and regarding converts the ones which are really growing is Islam and Buddhism”, he said.

Rabbi Romain explains that Buddhism is popular because it offers inner tranquillity, peace and harmony, and it doesn’t have any of the rules and regulations of Judaism or the theological twist of Christianity. It’s an easier faith and self-centred faith in some respect.

Islam is seen as offering a definite sense of direction, purpose: “It appeals to men as being as very sort of strong, macho faith, and appeals to women as being sort of protective of their femininity”, he said

Listen to part of the interview with Rabbi Romain regarding the importance of religious conversions in the UK…