I will share with you what I feel about this topic....
The word Hindu itself is a derived word..... (The people on the other side of the Indus River were called Hindus)
Therefore...There was/is no actual religion called 'Hindu-ism'
'Sanathana Dharma' meaning 'The Eternal Way of Life was followed by (Hindus) people to live a Life filled with Love, Compassion, Joy and Freedom...Yow were free to choose the form of Life that you strive for....
As there were a lot of practises at that time, it was 'Adhi Sankara' who separated the 'Worshiping' Practises into 6 ways....
Shaiva - Worshippers of Shiva
Vaishnavites - Worshippers of Vishnu
- Worshippers of Mother Divine
- Worshippers of Sun
- Worshippers of Muruga
- Worshippers of Vinayaka...
Of these, Shaiva and Vaishnava became popular and there is a tendency by the followers to propage the greatness of each sect....
The above sects have one religion....'SANATHANA DHARMA' and VEDAS ( Hindus Bible) are the basis on which they stand....
Therefore there is no question of conversion.....As in 'Bagavath Gita' (considered the Hindu Bible), the Lord says that whomsoever you worship.....it reaches me....
THEREFORE THE QUESTON OF CONVERSION DOES NOT ARISE IN HINDU-ISM.....
The follwing sites will give a very good introduction to Hindu religion.....
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/9410/hindu1.html
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/9410/hindu2.html
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/9410/hindu3.html
