Category talk:Converts to Hinduism

Why does the scope note for this category list it as including "converts to Hinduism/Buddhism/Sikhism/Jainism"? It's not clear to me why Richard Gere, a well-known convert to Buddhism, should fall under the "Converts to Hinduism" category. Anirvan 21:54, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't add him but I don't see anything wrong about it. Should I rewrite the section to say "Convert to a religion spawned by Hinduism?"Bakaman _Bakatalk 00:34, 11 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I guess I don't understand why a "Converts to Hinduism" category should ever include converts to religions other than Hinduism; it would be like putting a convert to Christianity into a "Converts to Judaism" category. It's also not clear to me why conversions between Indian religions should be discounted; if a Sikh actively chooses to leave Sikhism for Hinduism, why shouldn't he or she be called a "Convert to Hinduism"?

I'd suggest that (1) the entire scope note be changed to "Individuals and groups who have converted to Hinduism", (2) converts to religions other than Hinduism be removed from the category, and (3) this category should be a sucategory of only two other categories: Category:Hindus, and Category:Converts.

- Anirvan 21:39, 11 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Because Sikhs go to Mandirs, Hindus go to gurudwaras, Jains go to both. There is no real change in philosophy (especially between Jains and Hindus).Bakaman _Bakatalk 01:50, 12 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The idea that Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism are merely particular forms of Hinduism is an interesting theological debate, but in terms of real world religious identity, a "White Sikh" would never call herself a "Convert to Hinduism," nor would Jewish Buddhists term themselves "Converts to Hinduism." Historical/philosophical influences aside, all four religions are currently separate and distinct according to current Wikipedia consensus. I'm going to go ahead and change the scope note, given that this is a real world category intended to categorize real world people, some of whom might be offended if their religion was misidentified. - Anirvan 05:02, 13 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

As of right now, Anirvan, everyone listed converted to Hinduism. Ususally vedanta, or saivism, but everyone is a convert to Hinduism. The category is accurate.Bakaman _Bakatalk 14:49, 13 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Please add Joseph Campbell to this list. Thanks.