Hi I really am against cultural appropriation, but after reading about Madonna and Kabbalah I have a question. In your opinion, is converting to a religion really appropriation? And also if a white person converted to Hinduism and wanted to wear a bindi, should they be judged?

Okay, the idea of religious conversion is not inherently appropriation, but people often use it as an excuse for appropriation. As a Jew, I find Kabbalah very questionable because even though actual Kabbalah is a real part of the Jewish faith, (and there are also Christian and other forms of Kabbalah) the specific branch of Kabbalah Madonna and other celebrities like Ashton Kutcher has gotten involved with is not so much a religion as a business. It’s a perversion of Judaism, and has some very cult-like aspects (members have to donate large sums of money and buy lots of merchandise). Personally, I do not consider it real Judaism. It’s a cult that took some teachings of legitimate Kabbalah, and twisted them into a money-making scheme. The leaders have said some really problematic stuff, like the time the leader of the London branch said that the Jews who were killed in the Holocaust were being punished for not practicing Kabbalah. You can read all about “Kabbalah Center” brand Kabbalah at its Wiki page.

In terms of Hinduism, you can’t convert to it. You have to be born into it. That’s the rule. Some white people practice what they say is Hinduism, and they get really belligerent about being asked not to wear bindis.

Here’s the deal if you convert to a religion: YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN INTO IT. If you convert and wear a certain garment with religious or cultural significance, and other people ask you not to wear that thing, YOU CAN’T WEAR IT ANYMORE. You are an (often uninvited) guest in that religion, so have some manners. It’s common sense.