[Red Badger]

If they were one of the "Lost" (Not Lost, God knows where they are) tribes, then why do they have to convert?.....

[Uncle Joe Cannon]

because there is no paper trail proving they are Jewish. The conversion is a formality.

[Captain Rhino]

In the 1860s, Japan reopened itself to contact with the West and permitted Christan missionaries to enter the country. During the 240 years that Japan had been closed (following the Shimabara Rebellion), it had been illegal to practice any form of Christianity openly. Punishment ranged from imprisonment to death. Yet the returning missionaries found a "native" church had survived underground despite the constant threat of punishment if discovered. They also found that, being cut off from properly trained clergy, a great many unorthodox practices and beliefs had gradually been adopted. These had to be expunged.

I imagine that, after some 2700 years of relative isolation, there are a lot of beliefs and practices among this "lost" group that do not conform with Orthodox Judaism's beliefs and practices. The "conversion" experience probably involves pointing out errors in current belief and practice, confirmation of others, and education on aspects of Judaism that are not currently part of their religious practice.

[Andy Ross]

My car keys aren't lost, since God knows where they are?

Andrew