Convert to another religion to save your life
Question
Is it permissible to convert to another religion to save your life
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
As a general rule, one is to violate all prohibitions of the Torah in order to save one’s life. The only exception to this rule is having to commit murder, idolatry, or immorality. As a general rule, one is to give up one’s life rather than violate these three cardinal sins. In fact, one who gives up his life rather than violate these things recites a blessing before doing so: “Baruch...Asher Kideshanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu L’kadesh Shemo Barabbim.”
There are a number of exceptions and variables to the rule of giving up one’s life, such as: if one is active or passive in the sin, if it’s in public or private, and why the gentile is forcing one to commit these sins, all of which are beyond the scope of this answer.