Drawing the Boundaries of Non-Catholic Religions in Argentina and Brazil: Conversion to Islam and the Return to Orthodox Judaism (Teshuva)

On the basis of ongoing research, this article attempts to advance a comparative perspective of conversion to Islam and return to Orthodox Judaism in two different national Catholic contexts: Argentina and Brazil. It aims to shed light on the plausibility of changing from one way of life to another in both monotheistic religions. At the center of this exploratory study are two conversion-led movements: Jewish religious revival (teshuva) and the emergence of Muslim convert communities in Buenos Aires, with some references to San Pablo as well. This comparative approach examines the dynamics reshaping religious frontiers within both communities: one awakening and legitimizing an ethno-national diaspora of “religion as heritage,” in contrast with the other, which is expanding “religion as belief” among non-Arabic people. The illustrations of similarities and differences when adopting alternative beliefs focus on symbolic devices framing the borders of both communities, as well as the dynamics of adopting traditional modalities. Transformations in the meaning of identity and belonging in both non-Catholic groups are assessed in relation to the frameworks of diversity and multiculturalism in the national social contexts of both countries.