Short answer
No. Being born into a religion shows where a person grew up, not whether that religion is true. If birth decided truth, every religion would be true for its own children. Yet religions contradict one another. The Gita's "one's own duty" is the duty of a caste, not a command to keep one's religion. Many faiths also began with people who left the religion of their parents. The Qur'an asks those who say "we shall follow the ways of our fathers" whether their fathers were rightly guided. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught that every child is born with a natural sense of the one God (﷾). Abraham left his father's worship, but answered him with peace. Islam keeps family ties: a Muslim must stay kind and dutiful to parents of any faith. The same test applies to those born Muslim. So you are warmly invited to weigh the evidence for Islam.
Full explanation
The Hindu case for staying
Many Hindus answer this question from the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita is the Hindu scripture in which Krishna, whom Hindus worship, speaks to the warrior Arjuna. In it, Krishna says that one's own duty, even done imperfectly, is better than another's duty done well. He repeats the line near the end of the book. The Sanskrit word is sva-dharma, one's own dharma. Dharma can also mean religion, so the verse is often read as a command to keep the faith of one's birth. Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk, gave the same answer at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. He did not wish the Christian to become a Hindu, or the Hindu a Christian. Each religion, like a seed, must grow "according to its own law of growth".
“One's own duty, though defective, is better than another's duty well performed. Death in (performing) one's own duty is preferable; the (performance of the) duty of others is dangerous.”
“Worshipping, by (the performance of) his own duty, him from whom all things proceed, and by whom all this is permeated, a man obtains perfection. One's duty, though defective, is better than another's duty well performed. Performing the duty prescribed by nature, one does not incur sin.”
“Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid. The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Does the seed become the earth, or the air, or the water? No. It becomes a plant; it develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth and the water, converts them into plant substance and grows a plant. Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the others and yet preserve its individuality and grow according to its own law of growth.”
Truth is not inherited
A person's first religion is set by the family and the place of birth, long before he can weigh any evidence. Born in another house, he would have been raised in another faith. If birth were the test, every religion would be true for its own children. But religions contradict each other on the largest questions. Is God (﷾) alone to be worshipped, or many gods? Is there one life and a judgement, or many lives? They cannot all be right. Many faiths also began with people who left the faith of their parents. The first Christians were born Jews, and Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born into a Hindu family. Hindu movements today invite people born Muslim or Christian to leave the religion of their parents. Their call is ghar wapsi, which means "return home" to Hinduism. The Qur'an puts the question plainly to those who follow their fathers: what if the fathers had no guidance? It asks those who make claims for their proof, and forbids following what one has no knowledge of.
“When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah hath revealed:" They say: "Nay! we shall follow the ways of our fathers." What! even though their fathers Were void of wisdom and guidance?”
“Nay! they say: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we do guide ourselves by their footsteps." Just in the same way, whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps." He said: "What! Even if I brought you better guidance than that which ye found your fathers following?" They said: "For us, we deny that ye (prophets) are sent (on a mission at all)."”
“When they are told to follow the (Revelation) that Allah has sent down, they say: "Nay, we shall follow the ways that we found our fathers (following)." What! even if it is Satan beckoning them to the Penalty of the (Blazing) Fire?”
“And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."”
“And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).”
What "one's own duty" means in the Gita
The Gita's verse is not about changing religion. In chapter 3 Krishna says it to Arjuna, who wants to leave the battle. Krishna has already told him that nothing is better "for a Kshatriya", a member of the warrior class, than a righteous battle. In chapter 18 the same sentence closes the passage on the duties of the four castes. Caste is the class into which a Hindu is born. Knowledge belongs to the Brahmin, the priest class. Battle belongs to the Kshatriya. Farming and trade belong to the Vaishya, and service to the Shudra. The next verse says one should not abandon the duty one was born with (saha-ja), even if it is tainted with evil. Read as the Gita means it, the verse tells a Shudra to keep serving, not a Hindu to keep his religion. Some Hindus read the castes by qualities rather than birth, since the Gita divides the duties by "the qualities born of nature". Then "one's own duty" is the work that suits one's nature, such as learning, battle, trade or service. That is a calling, still not a religion. The Gita's own last counsel goes further still: "Forsaking all duties, come to me as (your) sole refuge." There, seeking refuge comes before every duty of birth. A Hindu will say that "me" is Krishna. Even so, the verse puts that refuge above every duty one was born with. Who God (﷾) is must then be settled by evidence, not by birth.
“One's own duty, though defective, is better than another's duty well performed. Death in (performing) one's own duty is preferable; the (performance of the) duty of others is dangerous.”
“Having regard to your own duty also, you ought not to falter, for there is nothing better for a Kshatriya than a righteous battle.”
“The duties of Brâhmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas, and of Sûdras, too, O terror of your foes! are distinguished according to the qualities born of nature. Tranquillity, restraint of the senses, penance, purity, forgiveness, straightforwardness, also knowledge, experience, and belief (in a future world), this is the natural duty of Brâhmanas. Valour, glory, courage, dexterity, not slinking away from battle, gifts, exercise of lordly power, this is the natural duty of Kshatriyas. Agriculture, tending cattle, trade, (this) is the natural duty of Vaisyas. And the natural duty of Sûdras, too, consists in service.”
“Worshipping, by (the performance of) his own duty, him from whom all things proceed, and by whom all this is permeated, a man obtains perfection. One's duty, though defective, is better than another's duty well performed. Performing the duty prescribed by nature, one does not incur sin.”
“O son of Kuntî! one should not abandon a natural duty though tainted with evil; for all actions are enveloped by evil, as fire by smoke.”
“Forsaking all duties, come to me as (your) sole refuge. I will release you from all sins. Be not grieved.”
Every child is born on the fitra
The Prophet (ﷺ) said that every child is born upon the fitra, the natural disposition God (﷾) gave mankind. It is the child's parents who make him a Jew, a Christian or a Magian, a follower of the old Persian religion, Zoroastrianism. The religion a person inherits comes from his upbringing. Underneath it lies a sense of the one Creator that every person shares. The Qur'an says that all the children of Adam bore witness that God (﷾) is their Lord. So none could later say, "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods". In Islam's teaching, God (﷾) punishes no one before a messenger has come to warn him. Once the message has reached a person, he is asked to weigh it for himself, not to rest on his upbringing. The fitra and the evidence are open to every reader. You are warmly invited to look at that evidence and weigh Islam for yourself.
Abu Hurayra reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said every child is born upon the fitra (the natural disposition God gave mankind), and it is his parents who make him a Jew, a Christian or a Magian, just as an animal is born whole. Abu Hurayra then recited Qur'an 30:30.
“So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.”
“When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful": Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?"”
“Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss: No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent a messenger (to give warning).”
Abraham left his father's worship, gently
Abraham is honoured by Jews, Christians and Muslims, and he did exactly what this question asks about. The Qur'an records him pleading with his father four times, each time beginning "O my father!". When his father threatened to stone him, Abraham answered with peace and a promise to pray for his forgiveness. The Hebrew Bible, the Jewish scriptures, records the same beginning: Abraham's father Terah "served other gods", and God (﷾) took Abraham from there. Abraham's argument with his people, from the star to the moon to the sun, ended with the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He left his father's religion, but not his courtesy toward his father.
“(Also mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of Truth, a prophet. Behold, he said to his father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing? "O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight. "O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious. "O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend." (The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!" Abraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious. "And I will turn away from you (all) and from those whom ye invoke besides Allah: I will call on my Lord: perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord, I shall be not unblest."”
“And Joshua said unto all the people: ‘Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Your fathers dwelt of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor; and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.”
“When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. "For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah."”
Family ties stay
Changing one's religion does not end one's duty to one's family. The Qur'an commands gratitude to parents, and remembers the mother who carried and nursed her child. If parents press their child to worship others besides God (﷾), he must not obey them in that. He must still "bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration)". The mother of Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, came to visit her while still a polytheist. The Prophet (ﷺ) told Asma to keep good relations with her. The Qur'an also allows, and praises, kindness and justice toward people of another faith. It asks only that they do not fight Muslims for their faith or drive them from their homes. So a person who is drawn to Islam is asked to keep his family ties, not to cut them.
“And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.”
“"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did."”
Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, reports that her mother, who was still a polytheist (mushrika), came to visit her in the Prophet's (ﷺ) lifetime, hoping for her daughter's kindness. Asma asked the Prophet (ﷺ) whether she should keep good relations with her mother. He said yes: keep good relations with your mother.
“Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.”
The law in India (general information)
India's Constitution protects freedom of conscience. Article 25(1) gives all persons "freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion". This is subject to public order, morality and health, and to the Constitution's other provisions on fundamental rights. Some Indian states have also passed their own laws on religious conversion, such as Uttar Pradesh in 2021, and these set their own procedures. This is general information, not legal advice. Anyone in India who is thinking of converting should check the current law of their own state.
Clause (1) reads: "Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion." Clause (2) lets the State regulate or restrict economic, financial, political or other secular activity associated with religious practice, and make laws for social welfare and reform.
A law of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on religious conversion, one of several state laws on the subject. It sets its own procedure and was amended in 2024 (U.P. Act No. 7 of 2024). Anyone it concerns should read the current official text.
The replies, one by one
Bhagavad Gita 3:35 — chapter 3, verse 35
“One's own duty, though defective, is better than another's duty well performed. Death in (performing) one's own duty is preferable; the (performance of the) duty of others is dangerous.”
Cited for
Krishna says one's own dharma, even imperfect, is better than another's done well, and death in one's own dharma is better. So a Hindu should die a Hindu rather than take up another religion.
The response
The Gita gives the verse its own meaning. It is spoken to a warrior who wants to leave the battle. It is repeated to close the passage on the four castes' duties, whose list ends with the Shudra's duty of service. The next verse forbids leaving the duty one is born with. Verses 18.44 and 18.47 belong to one passage. If "one's own duty" meant the religion of one's birth, the same passage would bind every Shudra to service for life. A Hindu who rejects caste by birth cannot keep half of the passage and set aside the other half. Some read the castes by qualities, not birth. Then "one's own duty" is the work that suits one's nature, which is still not a religion. The page on whether Hinduism teaches caste by birth weighs both readings. The Gita's own last counsel also puts refuge above "all duties". A Hindu will say that this means refuge in Krishna. Then the question becomes who God (﷾) is, and that is settled by evidence, not by birth. The page on whether God became a man as Rama or Krishna takes up that question.
Where it lands — The verse speaks of the duty of one's caste and station, not of changing religion. Its own chapter places seeking God (﷾) above every duty.
Swami Vivekananda, final address, World's Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 27 September 1893
“Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid. The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Does the seed become the earth, or the air, or the water? No. It becomes a plant; it develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth and the water, converts them into plant substance and grows a plant. Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the others and yet preserve its individuality and grow according to its own law of growth.”
Cited for
All religions are true paths to God. Nobody needs to convert; each person should grow within the religion he was born into.
The response
Religions do not differ only in form. They contradict each other on what matters most. The Qur'an says God (﷾) alone is to be worshipped, while much Hindu worship is offered to many gods and images. The Qur'an teaches one life followed by judgement, while the Gita teaches rebirth. Both cannot be true, and the page on whether all religions lead to the same God (﷾) sets these differences out. If they are not all true, the religion of one's birth is right, when it is right, only by chance. A seed has no choice about what it becomes. A person has reason, and the Qur'an says he will be asked how he used his hearing, sight and heart. Islam also forbids forcing anyone into a religion, so the choice stays free.
Where it lands — Peace between people does not need contradicting beliefs to be equally true. Kindness is owed to everyone; the truth must still be sought.
Qur'an 2:170 — Surat al-Baqara (The Cow), verse 170
“When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah hath revealed:" They say: "Nay! we shall follow the ways of our fathers." What! even though their fathers Were void of wisdom and guidance?”
Cited for
Your ancestors were Hindu. Converting cuts you off from them, and returning to the faith of your forefathers (ghar wapsi) is coming home.
The response
Ancestry does not decide truth, and the Qur'an asks what follows if the ancestors had no guidance. Every family line also goes back further than any religion practised today. The Qur'an teaches that mankind was once a single community, and that all the children of Adam bore witness to one Lord. In Islam's teaching, the oldest home of every person is the worship of the one God (﷾), and every child is born upon it. The call to come home also cuts both ways. Ghar wapsi asks people born Muslim or Christian to leave the religion of their own parents.
Where it lands — Being born into a family cannot make its religion true. The oldest home Islam knows is the worship of the one God (﷾).
Qur'an 31:15 — Surat Luqman (Luqman), verse 15
“"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did."”
Cited for
Conversion betrays one's family, nation and culture. A convert abandons his parents, his people and his heritage.
The response
Islam asks a convert to change his worship, not his family, his nation or his language. The Qur'an tells him to keep company with his parents kindly even when they are not Muslim. The Prophet (ﷺ) told Asma to keep good relations with her mother, who was still a polytheist. God (﷾) made mankind into nations and tribes "that ye may know each other", and made their languages different as one of His signs. In general, a Muslim keeps his language, his customs, his dress and his food, except what Islam forbids. That includes any act of worship offered to anyone besides God (﷾), and things such as pork and alcohol. India has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world, and Indian Muslims are as Indian as their neighbours. This is general information; questions about a particular practice are for a scholar to answer.
Where it lands — Islam changes whom a person worships. It does not take away his parents, his people or his language.
Qur'an 58:22 — Surat al-Mujadila (The Pleading Woman), verse 22
“Thou wilt not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (for ever). Allah will be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Truly it is the Party of Allah that will achieve Felicity.”
Cited for
The Qur'an itself tells Muslims not to love their fathers and brothers who are not Muslim. Abraham and his followers declared "enmity and hatred for ever" toward their people. So conversion does cut a person off from his family.
The response
Verse 58:22 speaks of loving "those who resist Allah and His Messenger", even among one's relatives. The Qur'an does not make that the same as kindness, which it commands even toward such parents. Sura 60, which holds Abraham's words, begins by naming the enemies it means. They had driven the Prophet (ﷺ) and the believers from their homes because they believed. It holds up Abraham's words as an example for believers facing such enemies. The same sura then draws the line itself. God (﷾) does not forbid kindness and justice toward those who do not fight Muslims for their faith or drive them from their homes. He forbids friendship only with those who do, or who help others drive them out. The sura even hopes that God (﷾) "will grant love (and friendship)" between Muslims and those they then counted as enemies. For parents the Qur'an is plainer still. Even parents who press their child to worship others besides God (﷾) are to be kept company "with justice (and consideration)". The Prophet (ﷺ) told Asma to keep good relations with her mother, who was still a polytheist.
Where it lands — The Qur'an forbids loving and siding with those who oppose God (﷾) and His Messenger (ﷺ). It commands kindness to parents, and allows kindness and justice to peaceful people of every faith.
Constitution of India, 1950 — Article 25
Clause (1) reads: "Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion." Clause (2) lets the State regulate or restrict economic, financial, political or other secular activity associated with religious practice, and make laws for social welfare and reform.
Cited for
Conversion is illegal in India. And converts are won with money or marriage.
The response
No. India's Constitution protects freedom of conscience. Article 25(1) gives all persons "freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion". This is subject to public order, morality and health. Clause (2) lets the State regulate or restrict secular activity linked to religion and make laws for social welfare and reform. Some states have passed their own laws on religious conversion, such as Uttar Pradesh in 2021, and their procedures differ. This is general information, not legal advice. Anyone in India thinking about converting should check the current law of their own state. Islam itself forbids compelling anyone to believe. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught that deeds are judged by their intentions. A change of faith made only for money or marriage is not what Islam asks.
Where it lands — India's Constitution protects freedom of conscience. Changing one's religion is lawful, within the procedures some state laws set.
Qur'an 2:111 — Surat al-Baqara (The Cow), verse 111
“And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."”
Cited for
Muslims make this argument only to win converts. A Muslim born into Islam is following the religion of his birth, just as a Hindu or a Christian is.
The response
The same test applies to Muslims, and Islam says so. The Qur'an's rebuke of those who follow their fathers without guidance names no exception. It asks those who claimed Paradise for their own group to "Produce your proof", and it forbids following what one has no knowledge of. A person born Muslim is asked to know why he believes, not merely to inherit it. The Qur'an also says that neither "your desires, nor those of the People of the Book" will prevail. Whoever does evil, Muslim or not, will be repaid for it. And an argument is not made wrong by the person who makes it. The case for Islam on this site rests on evidence anyone can examine, not on anyone's birth. That evidence includes the Qur'an's preservation, its challenge and its teaching on the one God (﷾).
Where it lands — The principle applies to everyone, Muslims included, and Islam accepts that.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1358 — Kitab al-Jana'iz (Funerals), hadith 1358
Abu Hurayra reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said every child is born upon the fitra (the natural disposition God gave mankind), and it is his parents who make him a Jew, a Christian or a Magian, just as an animal is born whole. Abu Hurayra then recited Qur'an 30:30.
Cited for
Every religion is handed down by parents and culture. Even the hadith says that parents make the child a Jew, a Christian or a Magian. That is a reason to reject them all, not to pick one.
The response
How a belief was learned does not decide whether it is true. A child learns arithmetic from his parents, and it is still true. Views without religion are often learned at home too. If inheriting a belief made it false, those views would fall as well. The hadith itself separates the two. The upbringing comes from the parents, but every child is first born on the fitra, a sense of the one Creator. That religions contradict one another shows that they cannot all be true, not that none is. So evidence must decide, starting with whether there is a Creator. The Qur'an asks: "Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators?" The page on how we know God (﷾) exists sets out that evidence.
Where it lands — Birth cannot make a belief true, and it cannot make it false. Evidence decides.
Exodus 20:12 — Torah, Shemot, chapter 20, verse 12
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
Cited for
The Bible commands "Honour thy father and thy mother". Leaving their faith dishonours them.
The response
Islam gives the same command, and gives it strongly. But honouring parents is not the same as following them in worship. The Qur'an keeps the two apart: do not obey them in worshipping others besides God (﷾), yet keep them company with kindness. The Bible keeps them apart as well. Abraham's father Terah "served other gods", and God (﷾) took Abraham from there. Matthew records Jesus saying that whoever loves father or mother more than him is not worthy of him. Christians read this as putting faith before family. The Qur'an asks for both: God (﷾) first, and kindness to parents always.
Where it lands — Honour is owed to parents in every case. Worship is owed to God (﷾) alone.
Genesis 17:7 — Torah, Bereshit, chapter 17, verse 7
“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”
Cited for
I was born into God's covenant with Abraham's seed, or baptised into the Church as a child. God has already made me His, so I have no need to look further.
The response
The Bible itself does not make birth enough. Joshua spoke to Abraham's own descendants, born into the covenant. In the same speech that recalls Terah's gods, he told them to "choose you this day whom ye will serve". Ezekiel says: "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father". Each person answers for himself. An infant's baptism was his parents' choice, made before he could weigh anything. Many churches baptise only those old enough to believe. Many that baptise infants later ask them to affirm the faith for themselves. The Qur'an says the same of Abraham's line. When Abraham asked for leaders from his offspring, God (﷾) answered: "My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers." Of Jacob and his sons, it tells their descendants: "They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and ye of what ye do!"
Where it lands — Neither birth nor a rite given to an infant settles the question. The scriptures quoted here ask each person to choose for himself.
Perspectives
Keep one's own dharma
A person should follow the dharma he was born into. Every sincere religion is a path to God, so conversion gains nothing. It also cuts a person off from his family, his ancestors and his culture.
The Gita teaches that one's own duty (sva-dharma), even done imperfectly, is better than another's duty done well.
Rebuttal
The Gita says this to a warrior who wants to leave the battle. It comes in a passage on the four castes' duties. The next verse forbids leaving the duty one is born with. So this is the duty of one's station, not one's religion. Its last counsel (18:66) puts refuge above every duty of birth. So who God (﷾) is must be settled by evidence, not by birth.
Vivekananda told the Parliament of Religions that the Christian is not to become a Hindu, nor the Hindu a Christian. Each religion must grow by its own law.
Rebuttal
Religions differ in more than form. They contradict each other on whether God (﷾) alone is worshipped, and whether we live once or many times. They cannot all be right, so a seed's "law of growth" cannot say which is true. A person has reason. The Qur'an says he will be asked how he used his hearing, sight and heart.
The Islamic perspective
Truth is to be sought, not inherited. Every person is born with a natural sense of the one God (﷾) and answers for his own choice. Whatever he chooses, he must still honour his family, whatever their faith.
The Qur'an rejects following the religion of one's fathers when they had no guidance.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said that every child is born on the fitra. Parents shape the religion in which the child is raised.
Abraham left his father's worship, and answered his father's threat with peace and a promise to pray for his forgiveness.
A Muslim must keep good relations with parents of another faith. He may deal kindly and justly with all who do not fight Muslims for their faith or drive them from their homes.
Islam forbids compelling anyone to believe.