Cryptoproselytism

/ˌkrɪptoʊˈprɒsəlɪtɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The practice of secretly converting to or practicing a different religion while publicly maintaining adherence to another faith.

Etymology

From 'cryptoproselyte' plus '-ism' (practice or belief system), describing the religious and social phenomenon of hidden conversions that occurred throughout medieval and early modern history.

Kelly Says

This practice was especially common in medieval Spain where Muslims and Jews sometimes secretly kept their faith while pretending to be Christian to avoid persecution—a survival strategy born from religious intolerance.

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