Israel's anti-conversion laws, against missionaries etc.

[Muslima]

Could someone please explain what are Israel's proselytising laws?

I hear that Messianic's get a lot of hostiility for their deceptive techniques in converting. The Evangelical branch of Chrisitianty which support Israel because they need the Jews to convert before the Messiah arrives etc. face a lot of hostility in Israel too.

Can someone explain

1. what the current law is, regarding converting Israeli's. Is proselytising by Evangelicals and Messianics allowed? I heard that they reluctantly allow it for the money that they bring in

2. how many convert to evangleism or messianic (which is a form of Christianity pretending to be jews) per annum in Israel?

3. How much hostility is there towards this activity or is it accepted? I keep hearing conflicting reports.

4. Are there any future bills or laws pending, that Israeli's would like to see?

I would appreciate some responses, preferably with facts and links.

Thank you.

[KettleWhistle]

Intrusive proselytizing is illegal. That's all.

[dayag]

Intrusive proselytizing is illegal. That's all.

Actually the anti-proselytizing law prohibits missionaries from offering material benefits as an inducement to conversion. Basically you can't bribe someone to change faiths.

People remain free to convert to other religions if they want to.

[KettleWhistle]

Like I said, most anything intrusive, e.g. house visits, standing on a street corner with a loudspeaker, handing out religious literature to people who don't want it/don't ask for it. If we could only have such laws against against commercial advertising...

[Muslima]

Kettlewhistle and Dayag thank you for replying.

Do you know who the main culprits were, that made this law necessary? I hear they were Evangelical and Messianics,

Do you have any figures on how many Messianics in Israel, how many Evangelicals, and if they try any other ways to proselytise etc. how many convert a year etc.

What is the general attitude towards them, ie. i heard they're kept at an arms lenght,

I'd like genuine factual info, as opposed to just propoganda, if possible. Can you shed some light on the contributions of charity that come in from Evangelical charities like CUFI. I heard that they prey on the needy, ie. offer them help whilst surreptitiously trying to convert them, by giving bibles etc.

Thank you .

[bararallu]

only the Scientologists are the problem really.