Social stigma deterred Muslim converts more than legal obstacles did

Evidence

No one may prevent a Muslim from converting to Christianity (law 2), or call the convert tornadizo (turncoat), or insult him (law 3). Fear of such insults prevents Muslims from converting to Christianity, even those who “since they possess comprehension, acknowledge the superiority our faith.” Conversion could produce legal problems, which the Partidas attempts to avoid: if cousins marry according to Muslim (or Jewish law) and then convert to Christianity, their marriage remains valid, even if it would normally be considered incestuous according to Christian law. If only one member of a Muslim or Jewish couple converts to Christianity, he or she has the right to divorce, because the spouse’s refusal to accept Christianity is tantamount to a “spiritual fornication.” — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 981

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s ADDENDUM article on cross-cultural moral panics and how social shaming regulates conversion and identity — parallels sumptuary and modesty panics.